Tibor or Abel??? Which is Better for Creeks?

[peter d arcy clynes]

I’m on the waiting list for a peice of ‘boo (4wt), but I don’t know what I want by way of reel, Tibor Spring Creek or Abel Creek #1 Standard Arbor. I love the aesthetics of both, I love the features of both (backing capacity, weight, diameter ect…) and I love the price of the Abel a little more than the Tibor. The reels would be used mostly for fishing creeks you could spit across (if a four weight seems excesive, I’m Australian and we have more wind to deal with than you guys do), but I have some lakes around my place where an average fish is 17 inches and lives about a yard from the shore, which is why I’m looking at such sturdy reels

The point is, what’s the tie braker? Is one of them better by way of drag reliabillity or is one of them more rugged than the other? Will one of them last longer than the other or does one brand have a better warranty or reputation?

Lastly, should I branch out further? I know Sage’s reels are fine peices of machinery, but I’ve never realy heard of them being used for anything other than salt. I also know that Peerless makes some cute reels in that kind of size, but I do not love the price. Lastly, I also know of an Italian guy who makes some lovely wooden reels, and the price isn’t that bad, but the only thing that I know that I like about them is how they look.

One quick note before I finsh- I am Australian, so I play and pay in AUD, which is about 1 AUD to 65 US cents. This, combined with shipping and things will change the price of some reels by quite allot, so I can’t put all my eggs in the money basket.

Thanks all,

Peter

[Grant Wright]

I would consider something lighter – perhaps a Lamson Lightspeed.

[none]

Well, this stuff is so difficult because it’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Basically any cheap reel is as good as the high end stuff since the fish you’re after will hardly scratch the surface of the machinery.

I’d say, go for your ‘gut feeling’. 😀

My personal taste?
I prefer a classic English reel on boo. Say a Hardy Lightweight series like the Featherweight or if you want something more solid a small Hardy Bougle.
These reels are simple but effective click-and-pawl reels. No need for any train stopping cork drags.

Jay

[dave nyberg]

Abels/Tibors are great reels, but I would go Lamson or Ross.  Lighter and very good drag systems.  Also, you can find deals on them in the USA.  Sierra Trading Post has deals on Lamson, maybe on Ross.
Dave N

[Zach Matthews]

Peter –

This is a purely cosmetic decision.

[Michael Phillippe]

If you want to be traditional, put a Hardy LHR Lightweight (my preference), a Ballan or if money is no object and you on being around 5 years for the delivery, a Bogdan.

I have Abels that are fantastic tools for fishing out West on Boron rods. On my bamboo they look completely out of place.

[none]

If you want to be traditional, put a Hardy LHR Lightweight (my preference), a Ballan or if money is no object and you on being around 5 years for the delivery, a Bogdan.

Quite an odd suggestion in terms of classic reel styling.

The English style reels are basically Hardy and Young reels with the knock-offs like DIngley’s, Meeks, etc.

The American S-style reels are the Vom Hofe reels and the knock-offs being many including Ballan, Peerless, Bogdan, Adams, etc.

Both two styles are very different in styles and I’m pretty sure, one likes the English and hates the other or the other way around.

[anonymous]

I love my abel TR series reels. have had them for years.

[spencer ballard]

I was going to say it but didn’t think it would be well received.  I don’t fish disc drags for trout, only click and pawl style reels.  I catch browns up to 24″ and have never had an issue.  Palming a reel can be done with some of them if I am fighting a fish in a heavy current.  I had way over engineered reels with drag systems at one point in time (still do for certain fishing I do)

[anonymous]

Forgot about those.

[mark sikora]

LOOP traditional reels . The best non drag simple smooth reel for all fish.
As far as I know they created the first “large arbor” reel and never used that as a marketing hook.
Also the Abel CREEK is great single action reel.. A step up from the great TR series.

[anonymous]

wow, freaking sikora here?

[peter d arcy clynes]

Great, I think I might go the tibor, even if it is only jewllery…

[gael bataille]

You decided on a colour for the Tibor?

[Karlin Bilcher]

Seems like it’s all been said already.  Bottom line for me – trout reels are like watches – simply fashion.  A wal-mart watch could keep great time but not look as good on your wrist.  For the boo, I’d stay away from the super light reels like the lamson, your outfit would be top heavy in your hand.  The rest is just a fashion choice… the Abel Creek with the guide finish is quite sexy.  
Kbilcher  

[peter d arcy clynes]

I think the classic gold, which is standard, would suit cane the best.

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