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