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Classic looking reel (for 14~15ft rod) ?

9K views 52 replies 22 participants last post by  Yooper-Fly 
#1 ·
I'd admit I am quite picky on reels.:p Was always looking to add a classic looking spey reel to my collection, but haven't found the perfect one to do so, yet.>:) I have done my research so I think I still know what options are available, but there could probably be some less known, smaller companies, that have "my prefect reel" which I am not aware of. :eek: Let's talk.

For such reel I'd like:
1. S-handle
2. Disc Drag
3. Out-going click
4. ~12oz empty weight. (I have a 10.6oz Abel Super 12 for my 14' rod at the moment, and found it a bit light for the 15', works, but not perfect)
5. Multiplier (option feature)

Options available:
1. Saracione Mark V 4" or 4-1/4"
2. Hardy Cascapedia 8/9 or 10/11
3. Loop Classic 811 or 1013
4. Vosseler Passion 10/12 (A company that I wasn't aware of earlier, but that modern+classic Passion reel looks great.)
5. Vision Tank ( no S-handle though)
6. Farlex (have multiplier models but no disc drag)
........
........

Of those, the Saracione is probably the most expensive (follow by Farlex). The Mark V quite ticks all the criteria but I have not been triggered enough to spend such $$ on a big reel that might get used maybe, one week per year. :D

Cascapedia, I just don't like that 3 circle silver logo plates on it. A plain solid black, or drilled sideplate, would be good. Anyone also feel that 3 circles design looks ugly? :chuckle:

Loop Classic. The most common negative feedback I read is that they retrieve line too slowly. But for the 4" dia model (811 or 1013), isn't it similar to the others such as the Saracione and Cascapedia? The Saracione and Cascapedia seem to have even smaller arbor. But if you fill them with enough backing, aren't they retrieve about as fast (or as slow)? Why no one bashing the Saracione or Cascapedia being too slow? :rolleyes::roll:

Vosseler Passion. This one is high on my list, and more affordable than the Saracione. It has large arbor also. Are there similar companies making such similar good offerings that I am not aware of?

And at last, multipliers. Who still make multipliers nowadays? (besides Saracione and Farlex).

Oh finally, yes finally, :grin2:looking at some of the "modern spey reels" that are claimed for 14/15' 8/9/10wt rods, such as the Guideline Vosso 1113 (8.75oz / 245g) and Nautilus NV Spey 4.5" (9.1oz / 254g), don't the makers think they are too light to balance such rods? I heard the Guideline rods are light, while I haven't cast one, I have owned or cast some of the other top end spey rods which are as light and well made. I doubt such light reels could balance those rods. :confused:

Any thoughts are welcomed. :x
 
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#4 ·
I agree with you %100 about the shiny medallions on the later cascapedia reels. Too ostentatious for me. Get an older Mk II, no medallions, drilled plate. Everything else the same. Saracione mk 4 is to me the sexiest W/drilled plate and spool, and the best sound, but the cascapedia mk iis can usually be found lightly used at moderate prices.
 
#5 ·
I was actually very close to get a Saracione last Christmas....and talked with Joe a few times.

Yes the MK4 with drilled plate looks very sexy. The MK5 could have drilled plate too for an addition $100, as Joe told me.

The Cascapedia MK2 looks good. Thanks for that. Could be an option and will keep an eye on.

I was deciding between the MK5 4" and 4-1/4". Joe suggested both would work for my 9140 and 10150 rods, and the backing capacity he listed is based on 30lb dacron, and depending on lines.

I am after some actual experience, if any, how much backing could the 4" and 4-1/4" could hold, respectively, if I use Hatch PE backing (as thin as 20lb dacron), 100ft coated running line (eg Rio Intouch), and maybe 640gr Scandi?

It would be supposed to see Norwegian Atlantic Salmon which is advised to have 300m of backing. But I think at least 200m plus would work...

The 4-1/4" would be safe on backing capacity. But the 4" could see more use on shorter rods in home waters. If I am going to spend that $$ I'd like to have something that would see more uses, not maybe once a year for a 7 days trip.

Thanks.
 
#7 ·
I just went through this :). Though I was looking for something bench made. I bought a Godfrey steelhead (babine) and a farlex to fish in the mean time. Though i talked to all the big makers. They all have such great products. Some like mr noel have taken a break. Some like olsen i got on wait list for. Spey labs is also great reel with a longer wait.

I'd consider mohlin and shamburg at the top end with saracione if i were you. You'll get a nicely made classic style s handle bench made reel for a good price +not to long a wait (like years)
 
#8 ·
Cascapedia, I just don't like that 3 circle silver logo plates on it. A plain solid black, or drilled sideplate, would be good. Anyone also feel that 3 circles design looks ugly? :chuckle:
Blasphemy :tsk_tsk::tsk_tsk:

Hardy decided to commemorate the original 1930's design of the Cascapedia on the MK III by adding the three pendants. The original 1930's version so happens to be one of the sexiest salmon reels ever designed and built :smokin::smokin:

That's like saying the drag adjustment points on a E.V.H. Restigouche are too bright or the handle on a H.L. Leonard is too straight .... shame ... shame .....


Mike
 
#12 ·
There is river sexy and glass case sexy I guess. My problem is that those are TOO ostentatiously pretty! I’d be afraid the other fishermen on the river would want to give me a wedgie if they saw it. :chuckle:

Of course they would probably do the same if they knew how expensive my Saracione was, but it is a little more stealthy that way. Its qualities you feel and hear very immediately, and don’t need to be broadcast to the rest of the world with “bling”. ;)
 
#32 ·
Wayne PETREVAN !!!



Wayne built me a 3 3/4 1912 perfect style reel that is absolutely well, Perfect .
It was worth the wait and in the interim I went through Nautilus , Einarsson , Hardy mk II Perfects and nothing came close . No more Spey reels for me . I have the last one I’ll need in this lifetime .
 
#14 ·
I've fished down river from a gent from Vermont using a 4/0 Restigouche on the Margaree.
The reel was not so shiny, but it purred really nice :smokin::smokin:
I sat on the bench after my pass through and he came to join me on the bench. I gawked at that beauty for 1/2 hr and to this day I still have no idea what we were chatting about :chuckle::chuckle:


Mike
 
#20 ·
I think you'll be happy with a Saracione, nothing on your list really compares. Just pay some more money upfront and be thrilled every time you get to use it (even if it's for an annual trip). Also it's pretty clear to see it will hold it's value better than most reels (especially the ones on your list). The other reel I'd take a close look at (as mentioned before) is a reel from Bo Mohlin. I have really been digging these Sara reels that are slightly customized variations from Slow Fishing blog in Japan.
 

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#22 ·
For the money you can’t beat the Saracione :wink2:
After owning most of the reels spoken of here some of them a few times over I’ve gone back to my forever reel:nerd:
 

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#23 ·
I might need to post a WTB thread on the classified forum to see what offers come up. lol

To the Saracione lovers:
For the 4in model how much backing it could hold with a 9/10wt Scandi line system (eg. Rio 640gr Scandi with 100ft Connectcore shooting line)....

Cheers.
 
#28 ·
Just a thought here but a 14/15' 8/9/10 might need a reel with line and backing of around 18-20 oz to balance the outfit.
Otherwise your outfit may feel tip heavy and that can be tiring after all day on the river.

This means a reel around the size of a 4" - 4 1/4" Hardy or a 4" - 4 1/4"- 4 1/2" Young with line and backing.
None of these will look as fancy on the rod as the reels you're considering but their weight is about right.
My experience based on fishing a long rod is it's better to have the right balance on the big rods.
 
#30 ·
All depends on the rod.
I had a Custom Meiser Highlander 15' 7-9 and due to the components I selected, the butt section alone weighed over 10oz, the whole rod weighing about 15.
Due to the balance more butt oriented, only a very light reel (A Ross Momentim at 8.75oz) was enough to "balance" it.
 
#35 ·
A lot of good info already. I’ve owned various vintages of a number of the reels on your list. For the specific wants to listed, the Sara Mark V is likely the best answer. I would think the 4” would be the one to go with. I had 200 yds of 30 Dacron in mine and a 525 Grain steelhead Finder. It was a tad heavy for a 13’ 7/8 Meiser MKX but doable. It is sweet on a 16’ Meiser S-series 7 weight with a FF 70 6/7.

William Olsen’s reels are great but he doesn’t have a multiplier I don’t believe. He talked about it but have never heard he made one. And the wait is in excess of three years now.

Mark Shamburg makes a great real but not sure in the multiplier and disk.

Mohlin reels are just sexy and the Em Salmon would be an option. Not a multiplier to my knowledge though.

There is one other option not mentioned that would fit your list - a Bogdan Large Salmon 2 or 300. Expensive but worth it.
 
#37 ·
Thanks for the corrections sink! Do you know anything about peerless,bellinger, and Robichaud ? I don't think they make multi's, but i don't know much about them besides there quality. There was stephan brusky but i know even less about him. Not sure he's making them anymore
 
#36 ·
Correct on Mark Shamburg's reels, as far as I know they are all G&P.
Olson's wait time is significant, mine has now passed the 5 year mark.. But any bench reel will involve a wait.
I think if you are stuck on a multiplier, you have :

Saracione
Spey Lab Oy
Petrevan
Sands
Godfrey

Sands may be small for a 15' ad the reels were based on Paul Hermann's original reels, but I believe Sands was thinking of larger sizes. Ping Spinozarods if interested.

I used to have a few Godfreys in trout sizes and though they're pretty I don't think th drag compared to a Noel's and I imagine the salmon sizes the same.

There are also as mentioned, the Classics such as Bogdan, Vom Hofe et al, but good specimens are likely to cost quite a packet.

Check also the flyreelmania site, which lists pretty much all reels and there's a section for S-handles
 
#38 ·
I don’t know anything about Robichaud. The Peerless and Bellinger reels I have seen never impressed me in fit and finish but I don’t know much about the options they have available.

One other option to throw out is Murray Stewart. He makes reels out of Glasgow. They are essentially his version of a Bogdan and for what you get, the price is reasonable and the reel stunning. I’ve been toying with ordering one and have been exchanging messages with him. That was before my son committed to a pricey out of state college though so it might have to wait.
 
#39 ·
Forgot one, one of my (well heeled) fishing acquaintances has an Englebrekt, says that it's his most prized reel. Engelbrekt Reels and Rods - Salmon Reels

There are also a host of Bogdan copies out there, the most well known is Wurm. Affordable but as someone said on here, resale value on these compared to an established name will be low.

Don't forget you can try your luck at one of the classic auctions, the new catalogue for Angling Auctions' March event just came out - there are Bogdans, EVHs, Zwargs, Caspapedias on offer. Pricey (especially when you add in commission, shipping and possibly import duty) but you never know your luck! I once saw a couple of Noel 500TTs go on Langs for a song, $2k each.
 
#40 ·
If drag is critical

Consider 4" Teno or 3 & 3/4" Tornio from Finland.
2-1 multiplier and Vom Hofe drag reel.

https://www.speylab.fi/reels/?lang=en

https://www.facebook.com/speylab/photos/a.728342310615385/787982851317997/?type=3&theater

Markus family is in metallurgy business and he also is on Burkheimer pro-staff. The gear of the real is made out of Bronze alloy ( vey hard alloy use in slower motion ball bearing) so won't rust. I have one of first Teno reels on CFBurkheimer 8152-4. The key is to apply on gear a small amount true fully fluorinated grease like Krytox which won't wash out and cause hydroplaning.

Many times had large fresh fish on my Teno 4" like 38-40 inch fresh Skeena Steelhead or an accidental Chinook and the reel never hydroplaned !!!!

I know Markus and have a great faith in Teno.
 
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