Questions?

[ryank]

I recently was given an old school fly reel, it's a pflueger medalist 1492 1/2. My question is when you fight a fish with a fly reel do you rely on the drag and reel like a mad man with that tiny little handle? Or do you carefully strip line in and pull the fish in that way? The reason I ask is this reel has virtually no drag, and I'm wondering if I can use this or just pony up for a new reel. Also, I'm looking for a 7wt rod and I'm not sure what to get any advise would be appreciated. Mainly I'd use it for small creeks about the size of Eagle Creek. If anyone has a 7wt to sell shoot me a PM.

Thanks!

[meluvtrout]

I'm using the drag all the way, but the reel I have is a Pflueger President. It's one of those arbor style reels and I recommend one if you'll be going after nooks as it makes your life easier. That being said, I heard real fly fishermen "pity the fool" who uses a good drag system.

[ryank]

I am by no means a real fly fisherman! I'll probably just be employing the "Bastardized" art of drift fishing with a fly rod or micro jigging.

[Dillon]

The Pflueger Medalist is a classic old fly reel. It was the first reel purchased by many flyfisherman, including myself over 30 years ago. It was a 1495 1/2 and I used it for trout and steelhead, and I still have it. I know a man who is an author, guide, and former flyshop owner that still prefers to use them. Small fish can easily be stripped in by hand. However, this method can create problems when larger fish run. The loose line created when stripping can catch on something or tangle when a fish decides to run. So, larger fish should be played off the reel and reeled in. Or, one can strip a little line and then reel it up. Since this reel does not have a drag, one can slow a fish down by palming the turning side of the reel, or apply pressure to the line on the reel with a finger. It burns so good!

[ryank]

Right on, thanks Dillon! I'll probably get a reel with a drag system since I don't know what the heck I'm doing!

[Ed Fast]

I turn the drags almost all the way off of my good fly reels, leaving them just tight enough to keep the spool from back lashing when taking line. To me, part of fly fishing is to strip line until the fish makes a long run, then when it gets to the reel, palm the spool for the drag. I like old school reels with primitive drags just 'cuz I think they're cool.

I have stopped foul hooked Chinook with palming and if you can do that, then you can do the same on a fair hooked fish. However, I would never deny that in certain situations, a good drag would make it easier to play a big, hot fish and allow you to have a free hand if necessary. That would come in handy chasing a fish down a brushy bank, for example.

Ed

[Chinook SSSF]

Forgive me if I misread your post but what I see from the question is that the real has no drag? If that is the case you are going to have a problem when a running summer steelhead clears the line and hits the reel. That exact moment will be utter kaos if your not palming the spool at just the right tention, am I right? That is the only issue I can see from this : ) Ohh and if you thought a casting reel backlash was a pain..

[ryank]

Forgive me if I misread your post but what I see from the question is that the real has no drag? If that is the case you are going to have a problem when a running summer steelhead clears the line and hits the reel. That exact moment will be utter kaos if your not palming the spool at just the right tention, am I right? That is the only issue I can see from this : ) Ohh and if you thought a casting reel backlash was a pain..
Yea, virtually no drag! I never thought about once the line clears the reel, that could get interesting! I'm just going to get a cheap reel that has a drag system. I'm not going to lie to myself and think I'm skilled enough to fight a large fish with no drag because I know I'm not. I had a nice set up last year and I sold it, and now I'm interested in trying it again, guess I should have just kept my first set up! Oh well, live and learn. Really, what got me interested again was watching your video's Matthew. I was watching your EC summer run video and the micro jig and bobber video and it just looks very effective and fun! After fishing a few smaller coastal streams with Willis last year I'd like to give this method a shot this upcoming coho/steelhead season. I really enjoy trying new techniques and learning new things, it always keeps me interested.

[fisch]

Ryan I'm in for some bastardized fly fishing for coho/steelhead. let me know when you wanna head out. this sounds like a good technique on a small stream. I've yet to catch a fish on my fly rod. I was thinking about running microjig and a strike indicator on some small streams like eagle or neccanicum this winter. Should be fun.

[ryank]

Sounds good! I've never fished the Neccanicum, I'd be into checking that out. I'll bring my casting rod too just incase ;)

[todd_brooks555]

You could always go with this set up if your looking to do some bastardizing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5WGst7KuVU
Dillon is spot on about that reel being a classic that some folks prefer over many I. E don't get ride of that one. On second thought I've got a spare rod with out a reel.

[Gabe]

I didn't really read everything....(even though my communication class says I'm supposed to have a clear understanding before I reply...whatevz)

Ryan, you can slap the reel to bring line back onto it if you have too much out. I prefer to practice getting onto the reel with as many fish as possible...most often you'll find that it keeps the line clean (very important for casting distance and maintaining buoyancy) and you from stepping on it, you'll do enough of that just casting and stripping line in without a fish on.

Like Ed and Matthew, the drag is only set to prevent the reel from back lashing as you strip line to cast further, otherwise you and the line are drag. The fly lines create a very large amount of drag in running water on the fish to begin with, and IMO your palm simply is used to add drag when the fish is heading downstream and doesn't have a lot of water pushing on the fly line.

If you want to learn the fly rod, don't take anything else, you'll just end up carrying around the extra weight of your fly gear.

Lastly, there's nothing wrong (IMO) with heading up to McIver with some nymphs and catching the resident trout up there or Hornings Hideout. (C&R is back on @ $7/hr) Either way people will give you flak for fishing one or the other but the point is to get used to catching fish on the fly before you're in a situation where the bites only come every 2 hours or so and you need to learn the differences.

[Ed Fast]

Ahem,

as many of you know; Ryan is a 'natural' fisherman.

He'll have it figured out in a few minutes on the water.

By the way..... Last month on a certain SW Washington river , I handed off an 18 inch bow to Ryan on a light action 5 wt. with 4 pound leader and he had no problem getting it in.

Like Dillon said; if you get a take from a large fish, you do want to get the line back on the reel as fast as possible to avoid the tangles at your feet. If they charge you, switch to stripping. Like Gabe said; The drag of the thick flyline in the water is enough to provide enough tension to keep the fish hooked when you can't keep up with it.

Ed

[Dillon]

The Plueger reel actually does have a drag it's called a spring and pawl drag. It allows the line to be pulled off the reel very smoothly under very light tension. Spring and pawl reels are not out dated and quality reel will not back lash. I use a Sarcione spring and pawl on my 4wt for small stream trout fishing. It is a delight to fish. I used to use a Hardy spring and pawl for dryline Steelhead fishing. It made a cool loud droning whine as the fish ran. It was not a problem to land fish, especially in a large river like the Deschutes where there is plenty of room to let them run and I never had to hollar "fish on" as the reel made so much noise. I now use Abel disc drag reels for steelhead and on my 5wt for large stream trout fishing. Disc drag reels have an adjustable drag that will backlash if the drag is not set. Both systems are very good depending on the fishing situation and the angler's preferences. A bunch of informmation can be found by googling "Fly reel drag." And it won't be a drag...

[Ed Fast]

Dillon,

I use an early seventies Hardy on my 9wt. I think it's kinda cool to use old stuff like that. The duel pawl drag is so loud that I actually turned one of them off!! I, too, prefer the click pawls. It's the noise that I love.

Ed

[Dillon]

Ed,
I am packing today for a week in Maupin. After this discussion, I decided to take the old Hardy St. Aiden with its double taper peach Cortland floating line still intact and my 10 ft. 7 wt. Scott Powr-ply. I would love to rise a wild fish on a skater with it, just to hear the Hardy sing again. You gotta love October in Oregon.

-Jay (Dillon,MT)

[Ed Fast]

nice!

Let us know how it goes.

Ed

[wfocharlie]

I have just recently got interested in learning to fly fish. I was thinking of going with a two handed small spey or switch rod. Can a person learn on something like this? I have lots of time to practice and I have always been pretty athletic so I'm assuming I could pick this up with some classes and practice. Is this a bad place to start. What do you guys think?

[Chedster]

Charlie, if you are planning on fishing for salmon species I would go with a spey/switch rod. I started with a single hander and once I went to a spey rod, I never looked back. I actually prefer the switch rods because they are so light and easy to swing all day. You just have to learn to be really compact with the switch rod, meaning your strokes are compact and short. You can also overhand the switch rods but it's not much fun in my book, I use mine for skagit casting primarily. It takes a lot of practice but it's been a ton of fun especially once you get your first fish.

[wfocharlie]

Thanks. This would be a steelhead rod for me. I have read that the switch is not the best choice to learn with but I like the compactness and versitility idea. Ive always enjoyed athletic activities and this looks like it would be fun to learn these casts. I don't mind struggling a little. The challenge is part of the fun.
What kind of switch rod do you have? Can you cast heavier winter steelhead line and flies with it?

[Chedster]

Hey sorry about the delayed reply Charlie, I have a Redington CPX 7wt switch rod lined with a 450gr skagit switch head. The head is 20' long and is the perfect length for switch rods. I'm even going to try a switch head on my 13'er this winter too, the short heads really have the power to turn over heavy sink tips needed in the winter time. I would look into a 7wt rod for you, either a switch rod (11ft) or a 13' spey rod. I'm going to go swing some flies tomorrow and brush up on my casting for this winter. Just make sure you wear a hat/hoodie because I have whacked the back of my head with a heavy fly to know it really hurts!:D Let me know when you get setup and we can go searching for some chrome on the fly.

[wfocharlie]

Thanks for the reply. I have had an Echo 13ft 7wt (tr7130) now for about two weeks. Its set up with a 480 skagit shooting head and a 12 ft sink tip. I live a couple miles from the sandy so I have been practicing my casting. I have learned to pay attention to where my anchor sets because if it is not far enough to the side you can nail yourself. I usually practice with yarn and a split shot and have learned the snap t and double spey so I have a cast for each side of the river. I can only shoot 20-30 feet of line but thats plenty to get a heavy fly down and on a swing and actually fish. Another toon trip, this time flingin fur and feathers would be really fun. Its almost time for steelhead.

[Dillon]

May I ask where you got your reel and line set up?

[wfocharlie]

May I ask where you got your reel and line set up?

Got it at the fly shop in welches. I also have a 540gr skagit and a 480gr scandi. Right now just trying to get a decent double spey and snap T/circle spey, so I can fish both sides of the river.

What are you fishing with Dillion? How long have you been spey fishing?

[Dillon]

You went to a good shop as the staff there is very knowledgeable. It is extremely important to get the correctly matched shooting heads for your rod. I finally have a set up (and a box full of nearly new lines) that i think is the best for me and my rod. I have a 13ft. Thomas & Thomas 7wt. rod (from the Welches Fly Shop) that I have used for several years for for both winter and summer fishing. I use a 510gr floating scandi ( I use a 17 ft leader to anchor the cast properly) and 570gr skagit compact head for sink tips. My standard sink tip is a 12 ft type 6. For the running line I use 33 yds of Compline. It is a flat slick mono that makes the head shoot like a rocket. I couldn't believe the difference it made when I switched to it. I purchased my lines at NW FF Outfitters on Halsey. They might be the only shop that carries Compline. The casts you mentioned are the standard ones I use. However, it is best to be able to cast over either shoulder on each side of the river in windy conditions. I also like the snake roll, single spey and perry poke. As a right hander I usually cast cack handed over my left shoulder. I think it is important to be able to consistently cast the same length of line so that your fly swings in a consistent pattern. Long casts are fun but only needed to hit mid river seams. I would be happy to meet with you on a river for some casting practice sometime. I don't consider myself a good teacher but I love to cast and one should practice often. Matt at the Halsey shop is an excellent caster and teacher and offers on the river lessons for a reasonable fee. Good luck and have fun...

[Chedster]

Love the Echo rods! I got rid of my Redington CPX (too fast) and picked up a Echo DH 7130. It loads deep into the rod and I had to beat myself to slow down and relax while casting. Broke it in with a nice fish on a 2 day trip to the Deschutes, that's good mojo in my world:D It's setup with a compact skagit 540 gr and usually 10' of T10 or T14. Picked up this pretty lady on a black ESL tube fly. I think it's now time to go swing for some winters. I'll be in touch Charlie, we should get out on a trip or two. Unfortunately I sold my toon but hopefully a driftboat is in my future.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z205/chedster13/PB290285.jpg

[Irishrover]

Wfocharlie.....Dodge Park on the Sandy is a great place to practice those spey cast. That because the Bull Run dumps into the Sandy there and that allow you to fish both sides of a river. Double spey on the Sandy and snap T on the Bull Run. I go down there often just to keep in practice.

[wfocharlie]

Thanks. Irishrover. Dodge is one of my favorite practice spots because you have a pretty good chance of catching something if the sweet spot isn't occupied. Bull Run has some nice looking water too and you just might pick up a stray.

Another good place to practice on the sandy for both sides is Glenn Otto and Lewis and Clark area.

[wfocharlie]

Love the Echo rods! I got rid of my Redington CPX (too fast) and picked up a Echo DH 7130. It loads deep into the rod and I had to beat myself to slow down and relax while casting. Broke it in with a nice fish on a 2 day trip to the Deschutes, that's good mojo in my world:D It's setup with a compact skagit 540 gr and usually 10' of T10 or T14. Picked up this pretty lady on a black ESL tube fly. I think it's now time to go swing for some winters. I'll be in touch Charlie, we should get out on a trip or two. Unfortunately I sold my toon but hopefully a driftboat is in my future.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z205/chedster13/PB290285.jpg

Nice fish. I really like my Echo and they are local with a good warranty. I'm finally learning to cast it well enough to effectively fish with it. I met with Dillion on this board and he helped me with how to actually fish one of these things. Can't wait for that first winter. Its coming. Glad to hear you like your DH. Its nice to find a rod that you are in syc with.

[Irishrover]

"Another good place to practice on the sandy for both sides is Glenn Otto and Lewis and Clark area." Too far down river for this Sandy guy. It's only a couple of miles to Dodge. Of course that would make it a short trip to Tadd for a good dinner.

[Dillon]

Wild Summer Steelhead to the fly in 35 degree water

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j349/jspassov/DSC_0091.jpg


http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j349/jspassov/P1010056-1-1.jpg

[Chedster]

Very nice intruder fly! Would love a recipe if you get a chance. I bet the water is getting cold quick over east but it's nice to see some sun in December!

[wfocharlie]

Way to go Jay. I propose that any and all pictures of fish taken on a fly for this forum deserve their own thread.;)

[Gabe]

Way to go Jay. I propose that any and all pictures of fish taken on a fly for this forum deserve their own thread.;)

Start it up Charlie. :)

[Dillon]

Very nice intruder fly! Would love a recipe if you get a chance. I bet the water is getting cold quick over east but it's nice to see some sun in December!
I started a new thread on steelhead flies with directions on how to tie the pictured fly. Let me know if you have any questions.

[wfocharlie]

Start it up Charlie. :)

I'm trying my darndest. We could use a little rain and I don't know what I'm doing but that never stopped me before.