[Jeff]

Well a very interesting point has been brought up about silent reels verse clicking reels.

So what is everybody's opinion?

I for one love the sound of a fish screaming off my real and would never own a silent reel. The sound a Hardy makes when a fish makes a run is the sound of fishing. It sends shivers up and down my spine just sitting here. I think I may be going home sick and fishing. OK so I can't but I would like to.

It is the best sound in the world.

JJ

 

[juro]

I definitely love the scream. I was fishing a run with high walls in the canyon stretch of the upper Green river gorge one morning. The winter fish were in and it was one of those unbelievable 60 degree Washington State Saturdays you get in February once in a while, the kind that drive the crocuses up and green up the grass a shade. The kind that fill the heart with appreciation for what the world has to offer for those who seek it, mossy lined rock walls a backdrop for giant cedars, firs and hemlocks reflecting brightly on the lightly tinted mint green currents gliding over a myriad of colorful stone discs flattened and smoothed by time and water.

Suddenly, the clatter of a mechanism rings through the canyon like an angered blue heron. I look to the noise and it is an angler stepping down the bank with rod bent to the hilt and the bright line tearing the surface tethering brute force in snow white, silver and black. As the fight slowed, the grinding whirs turned to clack-ack-ack's and a handsome native Puget Sound steelhead come to the shore. That was the first Hardy I had ever heard rung by a steelhead. I've heard it many times since, but have had my doubts as to whether a click drag would tame some of the fish I have battled. It would certainly change my current style of using the drag surface to tire the fish, certainly moving more to use of palming and manual resistance against the runs. Still on the fence for my next reel purchase.

As fine as Abels are, I can't understand why you'd want click retrieve and a silent drag!

Can't wait to hear it again,

Juro

 

[BunnyLeech]

I just gotta have the click. However I prefer the more machined subtle sound of a Ross or Lamson. I just picked up a Reddington and can't wait to hear it sing.

Regarding clicking...any kind, I think it actually helps define the battle and gives an audio cue as to the state of the fish and run. With no sound the reel spins and the rod throbs. With the clicker, you know (and anyone nearby) how hot the fish is, whether it's tiring, the whole experience is further defined.

I just gotta have the click.

Dave

 

[juro]

I agree with you completely Dave; got to have it.

I do love my Lamsons. I've been a Lamson fan since those Boeing machinists started making those reels, before big name aquisitions and mass production problems. Even with the clutch reputation, I've had only one pop out of 5 hard fished Lamson LP's (Spey, 2xLP4's, LP3.5, LP2). I mean HARD fished. When one looks at the drag and sees the small surface area of the caliper, it seems inadequate... but when you set it as desired and give it a yank it is as smooth as a fine watch and these reels have tamed serious fish over the years for me. I've noticed that they lose a little resistance after a soaking of the reel in water. A couple clicks tighter and the drag is fine until it dries. I have absolutely no complaints about my investment in Lamson LP reels.

I think I'm ready for the next step. The Lamson is my meat and potatoes workhorse reel and has served me very well, but I am looking for a reel like I haven't allowed myself to purchase yet.

The Lightspeed has my attention due to it's innovative design. The new Bauer MX series puts the drag on the proper side - away from the handle. The Loop is the innovator in it's class, and a prestigious reel as well as ingenious. The Islander is a brick ####house of a reel if there ever was one. So many reels, and I can only have one.

Keep the comments coming!