Recommendation for brookie reel

[Phish_On]

What do y'all use as your brookie reel? I have been doing some research and it seems that no to many company's, that I can find at least, dont offer reels that small. I dont really want to use a 3/4 reel. I know there has got to be some bada$$ brookie reels out there. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[pcray1231]

Well, I'm generally using a 4/5 wt rod for brookies, and throwing 6 wt or even 7 wt line. I use the same reel I use for my other 5 wt rods.

 

[Swattie87]

Okuma Sierra 4/5 is my favorite Brookie reel of the ones I own. I have it spooled with 5 wt line. It's pretty small for a 4/5, and rather inexpensive ($40)...both of which are high priorities in my book for a Brookie reel. With 5 wt line, it won't hold much backing (not that that's an issue w/Brookies)...but just to give you an idea of how small it is.

 

[Phish_On]

Im putting together a 2wt brookie rod. And i would like to stay with 2-3wt line. Along with a reel that will balance such a light rod correctly.

 

[tomitrout]

not sure of your budget, but look at the Hardy Fly and Featherweight models.

JA Forbes makes a nice little 2.5" clicker that'll pop up on eBay now and then, also in a disc version.

Abel makes a small reel that's probably pretty sweet, along with Galvan too.

Or find a small antique skeleton reel and clean it up...

 

[The_Sasquatch]

Ditto w/ Pat and Swattie. I usually use one of my smaller glass rods for brookies, and despite being short rods, they're 5/6 so I use a Medalist w/ 6 wt. Swattie is right though, the Okuma Sierra 4/5 is a small reel for the line size, inexpensive, and I've have one for as long as I've been fly fishing. Durable!

 

[Ramcatt]

TFO makes a tight little click reel called the "TFO 1"

perfect on my 2wt

 

[turkey]

The JA Forbes, TFO, Sage Click, Hardy Flyweight, are all great. I use an Orvis BBSI on my smallest wt rod.

 

[Phish_On]

All nice reels. Iam looking for something that is inexpensive. I cant justify spending over 100 dollars on a reel that you will never have to use.

 

[tennjed]

Ross Colorado 0

 

[Ramcatt]

just an FYI

Stay away from the $30 ebay special

poor construction and no quaility control = sharp edges and open gaps = destroyed fly line

 

[Phish_On]

Thanks ramcatt. Im leaning towards a lower end 'white river' reel. Lets face it, its only a place to hold the line.

 

[csoult]

I got a SA 3wt on here off of someone fairly cheap. It balances my 3wt rod extremely well. I would put a post in the swap forum.

 

[Phish_On]

Once I purchase the rod it will be a little easier to find the right reel.

 

[NCPAtrtbum]

A brookie reel? Go on ebay and look around for a nice old cheap clicker reel. There's tons. Not like you need a drag for brookie fishing.. or most trout fishing tbh.

 

[JakesLeakyWaders]

Not sure how much you are willing to spend but I bought this Greys Stream Lite 2/3 reel for about $140 or so, not sure but that may have included the line and backing. Put it on my Tfo 7'3" 2 weight and I love the combo together. The pics on the site don't do it justice.

Bought it at Yellow Breeches Outfitters in Boiling Springs.

It's got a clicker drag the drag is very light and the reel is lite and small.

http://fly.greysfishing.com/en-us/products/reels/greys-reels/streamlite-reels/

 

[JakesLeakyWaders]

Oh sorry, I missed your post about not spending $100. Someone mentioned Okuma sierra. The 4/5 size reels are actually quite small and they're like $40 bucks. Okuma makes nice reels cheap. I have a 7/8 Okuma for bass.

 

[krayfish]

If you are using the reel on a tiny rod for brooks, it's basically a line holder. Spending more than $50, you're doing it more for impressing anglers than for holding line. I have a couple of hardys from the 80's. Being a little older / wiser...don't think I'd spend that much again for a clicker. Bass Pro and Redington have some composite reels for cheap. Looking for function or style? Price range tells me function and I think you were on the right track from the beginning. Let's us know how you make out.

 

[Phish_On]

The reel has got to look good. "If your looking good your fishing good" I think I have it narrowed down. Just have to see how they balance the rod.

 

[JohnPowers]

If your talking brookie reel as in little fish on a little stream why wouldn't you get the smallest medalist like I have on my im6 three weight? Looks good to me.