I have a Tioga #10 and I pulled the spool off to see if I could figure out what the problem might be with your reel. My best guess is that the metal clicker is damaged, missing, twisted out of position or stuck flat against the spool. I'm refering to the silver spring-steel tab screwed to the inside of the spool (see photo). This tab lodges against the grooves in the outside face of the drag system when the spool is turned against the drag, but rides over the grooves and makes that clicking sound when you reel the line in. If it is missing, broken, rotated out of position or stuck "flat" then the spool will not engage the drag system.
The clicker should be as shown on the picture for left-hand retrieve, or angled the opposite way for right hand retrieve. It should also angle slightly away from the back of the spool so that the free end is about 1/2 mm away from being flush with part of the spool face that rests against the drag system.
If you have a spare spool you could put that on the reel and see if the drag works. If so, then compare the spare spool with the one that doesn't work and adjust the clicker as needed, but be careful not to bend it too far or break it!
If the spare doesn't work either then the problem is probably inside the drag system and I can't help you with that. One other possibility is that the grooves in the outside face of the drag system are worn or filled in so that the clicker doesn't stick in the groove.
well you hit it dead on....the metal piece you show in the picture is in fact missing grrrrrrrrrrr..... who knows where I lost it ..... oh well... and I hear Teton is out of business.... I may have purchased a spare spool and have it somewhere around here but I dont think so..... too bad its a good reel.... I also have the #10...
Thanks very much for taking the time and for showing me the picture...made it easy to find the problem... most appreciated...
Glad to help. It's too bad that a 10 cent part can totally disable a $100+ reel .
Some of the shops that repair reels might have parts to fix it. Bucko's is the only name I can come up with right now. Or, if the screw is still there, you might be able to rig something with a small piece of metal. If you can't find an exact match you might still be able to attach something that will catch on the drag system, even if it catches in both directions. Then you will have to reel against the drag, but that would only matter if you put a fish on the reel and it's not too hard to reel against the drag anyway. Just make sure that the metal piece isn't too thick or the spool release/locking mechanism might have too much pressure against it and the spool might pop off unexpectedly.
You might also check ebay or some of the booths at the fly shows for spare spools. They are fairly expensive but still cheaper than a whole new reel.
If all else fails, I think I have a spare spool that is missing the handle. I might be persuaded to part with the clicker in exchange for a few flies :hihi: .
Thank you for your sage advice and help... its why this forum is my favourite.
I chuckled when you held me for ransom for flies for the broken spool because I am absolutely the world's worst fly tier...... and you would surely come out on the short end...
However, if you fish fresh water ... one of my best friends is a premier fly tier and his work is unreal..... maybe I could convince you with some of his flies... I think he owes me a favour anyway... think about that one...
Again thank you very much for the advice and help.
I found the spool with the missing handle but it is a different design than the spool in the photo. The spool in the photo has holes in the inside face of the spool (the side that goes against the drag system), and the screw for the clicker has a round plastic washer and appears to go through the end of the spring-metal tab. The other spool has a solid plate for the inside face of the spool (no holes) and the screw for the clicker goes through one end of an oval plastic washer, while the other end of the plastic washer holds the end of the metal tab in place. In other words, the screw in the spool in the photo is in line with the metal tab. The screw in the other spool is offset from the end of the metal tab. I'm not sure if the metal tab is the same. I'll have to take them apart to check.
Which type of spool do you have? And is it just the metal tab that is missing? Or are the screw and washer missing as well?
Were you able to get the part(s) you need to fix your reel?
I compared the parts on the two different types of spools that I have. The screws and the spring-metal tabs are the same for both spools, but the washers (which are actually metal, not plastic) are different and are not interchangeable. The spool with the oval washer has 2 holes where the tab is attached, but only the outer hole is threaded. The oval washer has a pin on one end, which goes through the metal tab and into the unthreaded hole, and a hole for the screw in the other end. The spool with the round washer has just one hole where the metal tab is attached. If you just need the metal tab I can definitely help. If you need the washer/screw and your washer was the oval type then my parts should fit. If you had the round washer then you can still use the screw and tab from my reel but you'll need to find a substitute washer, which shouldn't be too difficult.
Its been a few years now since I had a problem with my Tioga 12, but time was you could call 800 831 0855 and arrange to have them repair your reel. The only cost was shipping and the service was always excellent. THere's also this metal washer inside the mechanism that I found needs adjusting from time to time. I used to carefully turn it with a toothpick to adjust drag setting. I haven't used the reel in awhile now but plan to start up with it any day now.
Thanks for the note..... I have to get off my butt and make some calls to see if I can find the few little parts I need to make the drag work again... the reel is in great shape except for maybe $1 worth of parts...grrrrr
A nice woman answered and I told her my story. She said to call back in a week because they are in a transition period right now.
I told her I had read about it somewhere on the internet and I wished her well and said I hope the company makes it and that they are all ok.
She was very grateful for the sentiments and we talked a bit then she asked me for my address and said she put the parts in an envelope for me and will send them out when she goes to town!
How nice is that? Talk to a real person who cares about your minor problem while their company is going through a lot and still act so kindly.
Frank,
Maybe a crazy idea, but if you can "borrow" the needed parts, perhaps a machine shop can fabricate the part. The screw might take some looking around, but I suspect replaceable, even if you have cut one short, or tap. As far as the fly swap, I totally agree, you freshwater tying friend is WORLD CLASS......By far the best work I have seen in 40 years of Trout Bumming"
Good Luck
mark
Thanks for the ideas... lets hope my call last night produces some results.
Really nice folks at the manufacturer.
I will pass on your comments to Ted Lewis... he is the fly tier (or is it tyer?) that
made the flies I sent you as a small token of appreciation to you for your help.
He will be pleased to know that you like his work. I am constantly amazed when he shows me his patterns. An incredible artist and he is a really decent guy.
I did the amateurish work on his web site. My first attempt at it... so I can hold him hostage for flies !!!
Frank, I was going to suggest you phone Teton as they've always been pleasant and helpful with me and always sent out the part or a couple of them the very next day. I had a feeling they would still be around if you found the right phone number.
Now that you have, would you be kind enough to post that Teton phone number where you successfully reached them so that others who own Teton reels will be able to get iin touch? We'd all appreciate it. Thanks.
Thanks, Frank, for posting the Teton phone number. I, and other Teton owners, appreciate it! I haven't had any problems with my Teton since the last time I needed to call them long ago but since you indicated their number had changed, I'll put this one in with my warrantee, just in case they are able to pick themselves up and get back in the business of making their good reliable reels.
They're a really nice, helpful company. It's a shame they may be packing up.
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