Looking for a good 4wt reel

[tjsingle]

I recently inherited a 6'-6" Philipson fiberglass 4wt fly rod, and I'm really excited to try it out soon. I was looking for a good fly reel to mount to this short rod, I think that a large arbor would be too much reel for this rod. I plan on using this rod for smaller streams and tighter areas. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[CathyG]

Pflueger Medalist(new bar stock or original) or Orvis Battenkill click and Pawl only because they're sort of throw backs to an earlier era. And they're good reels.

 

[bigjohn58]

Go with a cheap mid arbor (large arbors are way too much reel for a rod like that). No real reason to spend money on a 4wt reel. All that reel is going to do is hold line. Lots of decent ones for around $50. Piscifun is my choice unless you have more money then you know what to do with. Looking around for something used might also be an option.

 

[Swattie87]

bigjohn58 wrote:
Go with a cheap mid arbor (large arbors are way too much reel for a rod like that). No real reason to spend money on a 4wt reel. All that reel is going to do is hold line. Lots of decent ones for around $50.

+1. Okuma Sierra ($40) is my reel of choice in this segment. It's a disc drag, which I prefer to click and pawl, even in a small reel. I have two of them for my Brookie rods.

 

[tjsingle]

Swattie87 wrote:

bigjohn58 wrote:
Go with a cheap mid arbor (large arbors are way too much reel for a rod like that). No real reason to spend money on a 4wt reel. All that reel is going to do is hold line. Lots of decent ones for around $50.

+1. Okuma Sierra ($40) is my reel of choice in this segment. It's a disc drag, which I prefer to click and pawl, even in a small reel. I have two of them for my Brookie rods.

I was looking at the Sierra, I have an Okuma SLV for salmon, and the quality is awesome.

Any suggestions for fly line?

 

[Swattie87]

Nothing in particular...I just use a Cabelas or BPS house line on those reels.

 

[bigjohn58]

Okuma Sierra is a fine choice for that size of reel. I have a 5/6 and love it. Nothing fancy about it but it gets the job done!

 

[mattwolf]

Maybe a reddington or a lamson. Great reviews on the zero and the liquid.

 

[moon1284]

Orvis CFO II (new version) or III (old version).

 

[lestrout]

Yo tj

Swattie's suggestion of Okuma Sierra is great. I have 2 and they are bulletproof. One thing to consider with glass (and boo) is a heavier reel balances better. Modern reels are designed for superlight and fast plastic tubes.

 

[hookedonthefly]

I think you want a 3wt click pawl reel since the rod is 6"6'.. I feel if you get a "normal" 4wt reel it will be heavier on the back end.

 

[tjsingle]

Ended up with the Okuma Sierra 3/4, perfectly balanced on the 6’-6” rod. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.