So, I've been inquiring about the JW Young fly reels lately and have received some expert guidance. These are great looking and by all accounts, reliable, reels. But, are they too heavy to fly cast with all day? Of course, I'll be using a spey rod, so, maybe the heft of the JW reel will be a benefit. Basically, what I'm looking for (and the JW still may fit this bill) is a vintage reel that:
1. Is reliable and will give me years of use with proper maintenance.
2. Has enough room for a 7wt. Wulff Triangle taper fly line and about 200 yds. of 20# backing.
3. Has a sweet clicker that sounds sweet when battling a fish.
4. Looks cool.
5. Won't break the bank (under $250.00 U.S.)
Maybe the Youngs are still in the running, but I'm open to all suggestions!
Thanks,
Joe
Which reel best fits these requirements?
Hi Joe
You are looking for a rim fly so you will probably have to look at newer reels as the old guys were made with a frame and the spool central. There is a pile of nice reels on the market today that are Post WW11 that are excellent reels and will meet your requirements. The Hardy Marquis line are nice fly reels and reasonably durable, The JW Youngs, another reel that is not that well know but are excellent reel are the English Intrepid line of reels. Almost every company in the reel business has made nice fly reels that are great quality and very durable. Also with the price range you are looking in you could be close to getting most anything you would want. Here is an Intrepid gear fly which is an excellent reel and very durable, a JW Young Valdex which has rim controll on the central spool, and a Hardy Salmon #1.
The JW Young XO and OX reels that Ron showed are also very nice reels and would be perfect for what you are wanting to do. It is just a matter of finding one you want for yourself. Sometimes oddly enough you find a really inexpensive reel that is just a jem so you never know. The reel I use the most and like the best I picked up in a second hand strore about 20 years ago for $25.00. I have know Idea what it is and all I know about it is that is has Japan stamped on the foot and it is just a fantastic reel. So you like what you like
Bill T
You are looking for a rim fly so you will probably have to look at newer reels as the old guys were made with a frame and the spool central. There is a pile of nice reels on the market today that are Post WW11 that are excellent reels and will meet your requirements. The Hardy Marquis line are nice fly reels and reasonably durable, The JW Youngs, another reel that is not that well know but are excellent reel are the English Intrepid line of reels. Almost every company in the reel business has made nice fly reels that are great quality and very durable. Also with the price range you are looking in you could be close to getting most anything you would want. Here is an Intrepid gear fly which is an excellent reel and very durable, a JW Young Valdex which has rim controll on the central spool, and a Hardy Salmon #1.
The JW Young XO and OX reels that Ron showed are also very nice reels and would be perfect for what you are wanting to do. It is just a matter of finding one you want for yourself. Sometimes oddly enough you find a really inexpensive reel that is just a jem so you never know. The reel I use the most and like the best I picked up in a second hand strore about 20 years ago for $25.00. I have know Idea what it is and all I know about it is that is has Japan stamped on the foot and it is just a fantastic reel. So you like what you like
Bill T