Hi

I lovingly fish a Zenith with a 6/7/8 windcutter and about 100 yds of 30lb dacron behind it. You'll find it's too small for bigger lines.

Poul

 

Beautiful reel, but I would consider the Zenith a single-hand reel. You could put it on a small double-hander, with a short-head line, as Poul mentions, but you might balance out better and have more line options with a 3 3/4 inch reel.

B

 

The Zenith is the wide-spool version of the lightweight series. I don't have one but I think it's the same diameter as the Princess (3-½"). I use a St. Aiden 3-¾" on my lightest weight rods. It's typical of the size used on 8-9 weight single-hand rods. Despite its smaller diameter, the wide-spool Zenith has more line capacity than the St. Aiden but, as said above, its lacking the capacity for larger lines for two-hand rods. It's definitely too small for a 10-weight spey line.

If you want to use one of the Hardy lightweights for a 10-weight two-hander, find yourself a St. Andrew. It's essentially the same reel as a Marquis Salmon No. 2 -only sans the exposed rim.

The Lightweights and Marquis series are my favorite reels, whether it be the featherweight, LRH, Princess, St. Andrew or one of the Marquis models. They are all simply a joy to use in either series. I do like perfects a lot too, but something about the lightweight and Marquis models just feels right in my hand like no other reels.

 

hi
I have a zenith and use it with my Echo classic 6/7 rod. I put an Airflo delta short inside with 80 yd backing, I have extra spool with backing, running line and Airflo 6/7 skagit.
this reel is very light, 6 1/4 oz it is 3 3/8 diameter and wide spool.
the capacity is similar to the St. John and little less than a Salmon 1.
regards
dryfly

 

Take a look at the Terry Hayden reels, they are big enough, and tough enough to stand anything. Even Spey Casting.
MaxG.