reels...

[Lil Salmon]

What type of reels are you guys using? I have had my scientific angler 1011 for 3 seasons now. The only complaint is I have a hard time stopping kings when I need to. Was looking into getting a Loomis. Any suggestions?

-lil

[gman2153]

The first time I hooked a King I was using an Orvis Battenkill 3/4 reel - yea 3/4... The thing was smokin.......I actually landed the fish but took most of the skin off the palm of my hand....

Last year I bought an Okuma Integrity from Pat Mahoney.. I liked the star wheel drag on it --vs- those little buttons on other reels. Had a big King smoke the drag in the Upper Fly Zone. Sent the reel to Calif and they promptly repaired it free of charge.

I just bought another reel for this season - an Okuma Magnitude large arbor- same basic design except it is magnesium housing and they upgraded the drag to stainless... I hope to put this one to the test very soon. Matched it up with an Ugly Stick 8/9 fly rod... Did not spend big bucks - the whole rig cost about $140.

My little Battenkill still workin fine but it is now dedicated to the trout of the Lehigh River.

[Lil Salmon]

Gman...how close to me are u? I am in Northampton, PA and the Lehigh is basically 5 minutes from my house?

lil'

[gman2153]

I live in White Haven, just below the Francis Walter Dam which pours out the Lehigh.

I guess you and Craydaddy drive up I-81 to Pulaski. We got to hook up this year. When you get to the intersection of 1-81 and I-80 near Hazleton, you would take I-80 east 10 miles to White Haven. I normally jump on the NE extension (runs right next to White Haven) of turnpike and hook up on I-81 at Clarks Summit. It is worth the $1.50 toll to avoid the traffic and construction delays going through Wilkes-Barre & Scranton. Depending on time of day, that route may be worth your while. There is alot of construction going on this year near Scranton.

Hope we can get together. I am planning on several weekends/weekdays in Sept up there. Most times I fly solo,,my local fishing buddies either do not have the time, $$$, or their wives won't let them go...

p.s. - how is the fishing in Lehigh down your way. I have nailin the rainbows the last few evenings caught a nice one about 21" 2 nights ago. He gave me a big smile so I had to let him swim away...lol

Have a good one..

[Lil Salmon]

Gman,
what size integrity did you have? Also Besides the the time you sent it back did you like the reel? After you posted, I took a look at their site and really wanted a large arbor reel for this season, and the wheel drag seems easier to operate than the small buttuns like you said? I was looking at the 10/11, but wasn't sure what weight you had.
'lil

[Anonymous]

I've been told the old big game fly reels by Pfleuger were ahead of their time. I own newer gold versions and an Okuma Integrity 10/11, but the long rod balances better with the beef of the ol' 578. It provides drag even while reeling in -- has anti-reverse lock at the flip of a lever. Cool 60's design.

Thank eBay and don't tell the wife.

[Lil Salmon]

whats the price range on the Pfleuger? And how do you like the Okuma?
lil'

[Anonymous]

I like the star drag on the Okuma Integrity/Large Arbor, always preferred the Okuma silent retrieve. I've read reports though that the drag is prone to fail with a wet reel. It's hard to beat the price. I'd rather fish with a Pfleuger.

Vintage Supremes are hard to come by. I've only seen 8 in three years. I own three of them. One went off for $85. They normally spark bidding wars and end up around $185.

The newer gold Supremes are only about $65 new. Easy to change spools and a drag you can adjust with mittens in 28deg weather.

[metalslayer]

Orvis dxr 9/10.Enough drag to stop a train, although I set it light and use my pinky finger(nice divot by end or season)

[gman2153]

I have the Okuma 8/9 Integrity reel and just bought their Magnitude 8/9 reel. The Magnitude supposedly has a beefed up drag..

I really like the operation of the star wheel drag. Don't have to look down or fiddle with anything when you are busy holding on to the rod.

As stated before, I had my drag break on the Integrity but they fixed it free and sent it back to me within 2 weeks from Ca, so I am happy with the company and thought I would buy their Magnitude. I fit 200yds of 30#backing and the flyline on the reel perfectly. The price certainly is right.

[Anonymous]

Gman,

Is the water at Francis Walter still really high, I remember last year heading down the Wilkes Barre Side of the road, and now that is the boat launch?

Anyway quick question to ask you, do you get your gear from AA Outfitters in Blakeslee? The reason why is that I am thinking of heading home to see the parents (Swiftwater PA) this weekend, and I wanted to see if he still has a ton of Simms guide waders.

PSUnitro

[gman2153]

Last year the dam was full and stayed that way for most of the year.. It all depends on rainfall and downstream requirements of PP&L - although they say water releases are dictated to prevent salt water backup --who knows. Right now it is at normal levels and boat launch is dry...

AAA outfitters - they are still open. I do not shop there. The former proprietor --a.k.a "Dirty Bob" was an A-hole and that sort of turned me off... I recall one day in spring a couple years back --he had a couple of clients below me on the Lehigh...They were tossing flies without success. I was fishing ultralight spin gear with worms and mealies and was nailin them bigtime... He actually got p$ssed off and yelled to me that I should
not be using bait because the fish could swallow it... I yelled back that if he opened his eyes he would see that all of my fish were released... What a Maroon.... I told his clients that I would take them fishing for free... That really made the steam come out of his ears. He got busted a few years back for deer poaching.. But anyway, the place is under new management.

There is a nice shop on Rte 940 just east of the turnpike interchange. It is called Evening Hatch.. Good bunch of guys ..http://www.eveninghatch.com/ I think they sell Simms gear

[Craydaddy]

I got a cabela's SR large arbor reel and a Titon tioga large arbor reel. They both are awsome reels and can handle anything. Both reels range from $140 to $200 bucks each depending on the size. The tioga reel got banged up last year and I sent it back and they just gave me a new one. I have a little $$$ in my set ups but just ask King about my rod and reel breaking abilities!! LOL!!! I got stuff with life time warrantee's!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info Gman. I have met the new owner and he really didn't seem that bad the last time I was there. I remember the news article that the Pocono Record ran on the old owner. What a moron!

Anyway to keep in line with the topic at hand, I have used a few different reels for Salmon and Steelhead. For my 8wts i either use the Battenkill Large Arbor V and that is one heck of a reel, or my Reddington AL 9/10 9/10 large Arbor that is no longer made. Both have drags that will stop a Mack Truck, but i have used the Okuma Sierra, and my spey reel is an Okuma Integrity, and that too has one heck of a drag (even wet)

Craydaddy, are you headding up to the Oak this year again with King? Sorry I didn't say anything that last time I saw you guys there. Another question for all is that Are all/any of you going up to National Hunting and Fishing Days over the Sept. 26-28 weekend in Pulaski? Our Organization will be up there (Lake Ontario Steelhead Association) doing a talk Friday night at the Altmar Hatchery on tactics (Float, Fly, Spin, and Centerpining) as well as having a booth on Saturday at the Hatchery.

I invite all to stop by, to share some stories, tactics, and meet some really great people who know how, where, when and what to fish with and be successful while teaching and demonstrating to others, proper/legal techniques and really successful ones at that.

PSUnitro

[PSUnitro]

I'll be giving you bi-weekly reports on the Oak once the run starts until mid January since I'm going to try to beat my record of 140 days fishing last year.

[Lil Salmon]

Hey PSU,
Do you guys have a hig res logo you could send over to me for the Lake Ontario Steelhead Association? I could donate banner space on SalmonCrazy.com for the cause. Just thought I'd through it out there.

-lil

[PSUnitro]

Send your e-mail address to:

psunitro@yahoo.com and I'll send over a jpeg of the smaller logo. The website is www.losafishing.com