reel suggestions?

[SurfnFish]

been using the same handful of Ross's and Lamson Speedster's for decades, just picked up a Douglas 10' 5 wt I need to match with a reel, $200 to $250 range, recommendations appreciated...

 

[Creatch’r]

I’m pretty partial to Ross in that 5wt mid price range but I have reels from all sorts of companies. Older gen 1 Ross Evo can be found for a steal if you watch classifieds enough and a couple of mine have been through the wringer and still fish great. Nautilus FWX is another good one and can be found for a similar price used but I don’t have the miles on that reel that I do on my EVO’s.

 

[SurfnFish]

checking out Danielsson's..seem like a good reel- anyone using them?

 

[Creatch’r]

Yeah, but they are silent. I don’t like that personally but for the price they are a very nice reel.

 

[Mossback]

Hard to go wrong with an older Ross for a trout reel.
A nice used one will last a long time for not a lot of coin.

 

[jasmillo]

Probably not a popular pick, but consider Orvis. Whatever model fits your needs. For trout, the Battenkill. I fish salt more than anything these days. Their products last and require minimum maintenance. I barely rinse mine and I’ve got multiple reels performing strong 5+ years in….fished a lot. Price is very reasonable as well. I do like Ross too. I know, Orvis… the big box store of fly fishing. Their reels perform though and are priced right. They’re more durable than any other brand I’ve purchased, and I’ve owned many.

 

[mcswny]

checking out Danielsson's..seem like a good reel- anyone using them?

They’re great reels.

In your price range you can pretty much get any trout reel so go with whatever you want.

I guess the first question is: drag or click?

 

[SSPey]

I find the handle on the trout size Danielsson reels too small. It’s fine on the 7/10, 8/12, and up. I asked about getting a big handle on a small reel and they can’t make it fit.

 

[SurfnFish]

They’re great reels.

In your price range you can pretty much get any trout reel so go with whatever you want.

I guess the first question is: drag or click?

drag...be on of my primary Crane Prairie rigs

 

[SurfnFish]

I find the handle on the trout size Danielsson reels too small. It’s fine on the 7/10, 8/12, and up. I asked about getting a big handle on a small reel and they can’t make it fit.

good to know as I have XL mitts..thnx

 

[mcswny]

drag...be on of my primary Crane Prairie rigs

Maybe go with jasmilos suggestion of a battenkill or hydros?

 

[Creatch’r]

Hydros is a good one, I forgot I have one of those on a 6wt and it’s a very nice reel especially at the price.

 

[clarkman]

good to know as I have XL mitts..thnx

Lol, I almost was gonna say something to the effect of, "if you don't have huge hands...."

That said, all of my Danielssons are outstanding reels (I have Originals for most FW stuff, F3Ws for both, L5Ws for salty stuff and an H5D for 12+ wt stuff).

 

[SurfnFish]

Hydros reel on the way

 

[Scottybs]

Galvin LT or Torque used or new if you can find a deal. Great service.

 

[the_grube]

I have 3 of these https://pacificflyfishers.com/collections/reels-redington/products/redington-rise?variant=288272316 and 3 extra spools. I use them for all my stillwater trout stuff. No clicker, not particularly sexy, no one ogles over them. Just a solid cast aluminum build with a flawless drag that's never disappointed.