Salmon reel SOS

[STP22]

Hello. How are you? I hope all is well.

My name is Stephen. I decided to join this forum after review a few forum threads. This site seem very helpful and courteous when compared to most other sites. Nothing worse than getting terse response when asking for advice.

I am from Central New York and love to salmon fish the Salmon River in Pulaski, New York. Well, I love the fish. Some of the other fisherman....well, I could do without. I have been using a spinning rig and want to start fly fishing. I am not new to trout fly fishing but, fly fishing for salmon will be.

I am looking for a large arbor reel. I have read a lot of reviews and think I found two choices...
1. Lamson Litespeed Series IV Fly Reel #4
2.Orvis Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reel V

I will be using a 10wgt. rod (to be asked for advice in a separate post).

What do you think of my choices? What do you suggest? I know this can be subjective but, I would like to hear what you think is a good quality reel and a good choice. Budget? Around $300 (maybe more if it's really suggested).

I hate nothing more than buying inferior equipment. I guess part of the joy of fishing is using quality gear....something that will last and make memories.

Thank you for any and all recommendations.

Stephen

 

[CTobias]

Get something with a decent disk drag that isn't cork. Cork will freeze if it gets wet. Then again, any reel will freeze when it gets wet.

Get a reel that's made in America. Don't get any of that korean or chinese junk.

 

[STP22]

Thank you, CTobias. But, what are your suggestions on specific reels?

 

[iflifish]

Lamsons are generally pretty good but to me they just seem a little flimsy for something like king salmon. The Hydros would probably be a better choice. I know that Loren Williams, one of the best fly fishing guides up there, always recommended the Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor reels as one of the best for the money.

 

[CTobias]

Thank you, CTobias. But, what are your suggestions on specific reels?

My "newest" reel is a Ross Canyon Big Game, that they don't even make any more. All of the reels I fish with on a regular basis were made back before WWII.

I have landed plenty of great lakes mud sharks on my Ross. A lot of guys I know that use modern reels, like the Nautilus and Lamson reels. You could always just go with a Ross CLA if cost is a big issue.

 

[LyNcH]

The Orvis Hydros reel is a killer reel for the money. I have the Hydros V for my one of my spey setups and couldn't be happier. The drag on it is stronger than you'll ever need for a salmon and is much better than the previous generation Battenkill Large Arbor reels. As far as the old Battenkill mid-arbors, the drags are not durable enough longevity-wise for what you are looking for. I had to send my mid V back to Orvis a few years ago for repairs after my brother used it for couple days of salmon fishing and the drag gets jumpy once wet with a big fish on.

Go with the Hydros, you'll be happy with it.

You don't need a 10wt rod for salmon, unless you plan on foul hooking fish and dragging them in. A 10' 8wt rod is ideal and is not too much of a rod if you go steelhead fishing. The Hydros IV reel is better suited for an 8wt rod.

Where about in Central NY are you?

 

[Trout Guy]

You don't need a 10wt rod for salmon, unless you plan on foul hooking fish and dragging them in.

Wait, so your saying that you DON'T have to snag kings to catch them?? Damn.. Some one better tell all those spin fishermen about this up on the SR..

And LyNcH is right about the older Orvis BLA, the drags suck. I've have three and only one that still functions. I cannot comment on the Hyrdos though..

I used to be a huge Orvis fan, but now I'm a solid believer on Lamson and the conical drag system on their reels. The Konic reel's are deff good but I highly reccomend the Guru's. I have one I use on my switch rod and one on my 5wt Helios, I've beat the living shit outta my Guru 2 and besides cosmetic wear, the drag still feels the same as the day I got it. It's fucking bullet proof!!

And the best part, your supporting an American made product (Konic models are imported though). Most Orvis reels are made in Korea now..

 

[LyNcH]

Here's a Lamson Guru 4 (10wt) reel with a slight blem from Caddis Fly Shop, my favorite online shop, for $182, free shipping.

Lamson Guru Blem Fly Reel - Lamson Fly Reel

TG - You can send those reels back to Orvis and for $10 each, they will fix them and ship them back to you.