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[Spawn Sack]

For a couple years now I've wanted to get into spey fishing but never got around to making the plunge. To my pleaseant surprise I got a spey rod for my birthday that I was contemplating buying! It's a Redington Dually 8wt, 13"6, 4pc.

I need to go out and buy a reel and am wondering if anyone can offer me some advice. I'd like to get something good and not dump a huge amount of cash. I'd say the upper end of my budget is $250. I plan to fish the rod (after I take a lesson and learn how to use it!) year round on the Vedder mainly but it is entirely possible I'll end up on other rivers with it.

I could care less if I get a Reddington reel. Astectics may play a part as I want it to at least look decent on the rod. Overall quality and a nice smooth drag are the most important.

Any make/model reccoemndations and where to buy would be awesome. Don't want to buy online as I want to bring my rod into the store and actually put some different reels on the rod.

I'm not sure if it matters but the shooting line I got with the rod is a Rio Skagit 600gr 26.5ft.

[RalphH]

The Echo Ion reels have been very popular lately and are more in the range of $100:

http://www.rajeffsports.com/echoreel_ion.php

not suitable for saltwater use and changing spools is a bit more difficult than many other. I have one and if you don't intend to swap spools on the water and to no use it for ocean fishing it's a great value.

Lots of choices in the $200 to $250 range and includes the ROSS CLA Spey. The bigger pfleuger and how many other I don't know.

You will need a reel that handles a 100 feet of shooting  line and I'd go with a coated floating line that is basically very thin floating fly line plus 100 to 150 meters of 30lb dacron backing.

[BNF861]

As Ralph just mentioned, the echo ion reels are great bang for the buck.

I have an Echo Ion 8/10 spey reel that I would sell if you are interested. Only used a few times on a back up rod of mine. They're $100 new plus tax, how's $70 sound. I live less than five mintues away from the Vedder if you want to see how it fits on your rod, but I assure you it will be great on there.

If you already have a skagit head, all you need is some backing and a running line and you are all set. If you are out this way and want the reel I could proably show you a couple tips on casting to get you started.

[BNF861]

I forgot, I also have a Rio power flex running line. Brand new in bow, never been off the spool. They retail for $40 plus tax.

$100 for the reel and running line. Add a few yards if backing and you are all set.

[TayC]

Nothing beats an old gear & pawl. solid, simple and the growl will wake the dead.

[FlyFishin Magician]

Yep.  I recently picked up a Hardy Marquis Salmon No. 1 for my 7 wt. switch rod.  I love the classic set-up!  But I digress from the OP's question...

My other reel for my switch rod is a Lamson Guru 3.5.  I like the Lamsons, and the price for a Guru will be around the $250 range which will be in the upper range of the OP's budget.  Stratocaster has a Lamson Konic for his 6 wt switch rod, and I know he likes it.  The Konic will be less expensive than the Guru.  I would give the Lamson Guru a thumbs up.  Fully machined, and saltwater protected.  The Konic is not machined (it's casted), but it is saltwater protected as well.  The only thing I found is you have to periodically check the "gland cap" inside the reel.  Both Stratocaster and I had an unpleasant experience of our spools falling out because the gland cap became loose over time.  Now I just check the cap and ensure it is screwed in "tight by hand pressure" every time before I use the reel, and have had no issues.  Lamsons also carry a lifetime warranty, and I found their customer service to be quite good (they sent me a new gland cap, no questions asked, for my Velocity).  I also like the look of the Lamsons.  Modern reels with a classic look and feel...

Check out the Lamsons here:

http://waterworks-lamson.com/

Good luck and have fun!

[HOOK]

what you want is a reel heavy enough to balance your rod. I would think you want something around 9-11ounces without line on it. I had my 9oz Hardy on a TFO 13'6" and it fit pretty nice balance wise. You DO NOT want a reel to light, this will cause you to "fight the tip" all day trying to keep it out of the water. This is why it needs to balance before you put on backing/running line/shooting head.

some reels under $300

Vision Tank
http://www.visionflyfishingcanada.com/index.php/blog/107-getting-tanked

Dragonfly salmon spey reel (its last on the list, this also sells at A&N)
http://gonefishinshop.com/fishing/dragonfly-fly-reels/

Echo Ion (I used this link because it shows the reels weight in ounces)
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Echo-Ion-Fly-Reel/1262257.uts

Vision GT
http://www.flymart.ca/default.aspx?ctl=ctl_ec_product&category_id=105&product_id=1161

Amundson Wind Warrior
http://www.flymart.ca/default.aspx?ctl=ctl_ec_product&category_id=105&product_id=1101

Pflueger President (2090)
http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/Pflueger%C2%AE-President%C2%AE-Fly-Reel/1280292,default,pd.html#start=2

Pflueger Trion (1990)
http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/Fly-Reels/Pflueger-Reels-Fly-Reels,default,sc.html


those are the reels I can think of off the top of my head. I know there is more but that gives you an idea. My dad fishes a Pflueger President and loves it. I think the only two that are click/pawl are the first two, the rest are all disc drag type reels. I think the Pflueger reels are the best for their price range and you can buy them locally at Wholesale Sports


Take your rod with you, put it together with the reel on it and see how it balances.

**to find the balance point - simply place your hands on your upper/lower grip shoulder width apart, the hand on the upper grip "should" be where you place a finger to check the rods balance.

I personally like my butt end a bit heavy (heavy to the reel end) so that when the line is under tension swinging the rod still lays perfectly level with the water even if I only hang it on a finger. If the reel end is to light the rods tip will want to lay in the water forcing you to hold it up all day

that should be plenty enough info to get you started and possibly confuse you LoL 

[Bently]

I forgot, I also have a Rio power flex running line. Brand new in bow, never been off the spool. They retail for $40 plus tax.

$100 for the reel and running line. Add a few yards if backing and you are all set.

That's a wicked deal, then you can go get your new skagit max and gripshooter. 

Think that 8/10 Ion is too small for a 15" #10 ?? It's quite the pig of a rod, maybe I might need the 10/12 instead eh ??

[BNF861]

Think that 8/10 Ion is too small for a 15" #10 ?? It's quite the pig of a rod, maybe I might need the 10/12 instead eh ??

Yes I would say the 8/10 would be too light for a 15 footer.  It's best suited for a 12'6-13'6 7 or 8 weight.

A 15' 10wt would take a pretty heavy reel. I have a Sage 8150 with a downlocking reel seat and use a Saracione on it that is pretty heavy weighing in at 14.4oz empty.

[HOOK]

ya no kidding. 15 foot rods usually need a solid 13ounce or heavier reel depending on blank weight and casters preference.

man I don't think I would want to cast a big rod like that all day 

[Bently]

That's what I thought, I just picked up an 8/10 for my Original Loop Yellow Line #8 12'6, too bad though, I would have bought that in a heartbeat !! Best bang for the buck out there right now IMO.

If I decide to pick up another similar rod then maybe I'll give you a shout if you still have it, thanks man.

sorry for the hijack

[Ssypark]

I bought Allen Flyfishing's Kraken reel last season and i am absolutely in love. The drag is fully sealed so its safe for the salt, and it is buttery smooth. I can confidently say that the drag is at par with higher end reels twice the price. My friends have the Admundson and the echo ion reel we all can agree that this reel outperforms. Plus, you get lifetime warranty and exceptional customer service. They come in two colours and are constantly coming out with new ones. Be sure to check them out at http://www.allenflyfishing.com/
$199

[HOOK]

Damn ! how did I forget about Allen   


there is also the Solitude 5

http://solitudereels.com/fly-fishing-reels/solitude-5/#

[Ian Forbes]

I've got a half dozen Pflueger Trions and I'm happy with them. I've caught 30 pound Chinook, and 60 pound tarpon on them, a bunch of bonefish and gawd knows how many coho and steelhead. I've got a couple of Reddingtons as well and no problems so far.

[Spawn Sack]

Wow thanks a LOT for the reel tips guys! Lots of good info there!

BNF861, thanks for the offer on the reel + line. I actually have an Echo Ion on my 8wt single hand rod and it's not a bad reel. For my spey rod I'm looking for something a little higher end, but I appreciate the offer.

Also HOOK thanks man excellent tips on choosing a reel that matches the rod. I'm pretty sure I get what you're saying.

Basicially I want to go to a fly shop with staff that really know their spey fishing and get someone to help me go through the spey reels and choose the "best" one that is in my pricerange and is a good weight match for my rod.

Where would you guys go? I live in Chilliwack. I buy my day to day tackle at Fred's but would not go there to buy this reel (long story not worth getting into). I like Fred's new store in Abby and especially the awesome staff there. My favorite store although I go there rarely due to it's proximity to Chilliwack is Sea Run in Coquitlam. I started going there for the tying classes and find the staff there second to none plus I find their inventory better than Fred's. However I don't reeeeallly feel like driving to Coquitlam just to look at fly reels. Abby is a lot closer! Opinions?