spencer ballard
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The only fish I target in MI that I need a drag for are steelhead and my Teton reel that was under $200 has served me well, smooth and can set it to stop a massive steelhead if needed.
For trout, I see no pupose for the water I fish to have a really intense drag, I am currently using the Gunnison I just picked up, it seems bullet proof and requires no maintenance… Will last me the rest of my life likely. For small creeks, I love my little Fin Nor Fin Ite click pawl reel. I couldn’t be more content with the reels I have for the types of fishing I do. If you offered to give me an old hardy for my light trout reel I would gladly take it in place of my current click pawl reel but I see no need to upgrade at all. I can understand the desire to have a $600 reel when fishing salt though. I think my Gunnison that retailed for under $200 would be fine anywhere in the world for trout fishing and it is smooth like buttah with a solid drag. As for salt, I might be in trouble but Teton has an amazing drag in my opinion and can take the salt so maybe not. Off topic maybe, just felt like throwing in my opinion on reels.BTW – I voted that the marketing causes me to desire new reels, when I read about the latest and greatest I have to remind myself, I don’t need it.
Me, the day I was suppose to be graduating from college (the opener), I refused to attend… Tradition.
I don’t think I have gone throught the formality of introducing myself. Spencer Ballard, I have lived in Michigan my entire life. Grew up on a small “trout” creek 25 years ago, fishing with worms until I was about 7, spinners until 15, fly fishing until I moved out to go to college. I still fly fish, although much less than I would like to, I have a wife, baby, new home, and job to keep my tied up most of the time. When I get out I fish The Ausable, Manistee, Pere Marquette or any other trouty looking water. I blame my current gear addiction on my lack of getting out and actually fishing enough. I don’t have a ton of rods but I like buying them taking them on a trip and selling them (all done on ebay), I end up breaking even or making money on this habit. For other gearaholics hear my current favorite’s include a Scott Fibertouch 3 weight, Original Scott G 845/5, and my 7 weight is a TFO TICR. Reels are a Gunnison 2, A Fin Nor Finite C/P reel for my 3, and a Teton Specialist LA for my 7. I am done with the buying and sellling gear (or so I tell myself). Now I am focusing all my energy on making time to get out and fish more. I am a registered environmental health specialist, basically inspecting restaurants, designing and permitting private sewage disposal systems and wells.
I took the new Gunnison and Rio Gold line in to a local shop to have backing put on and the fly line, the employee was blown away. First thought was, how did you get a new unused Gunnison. Secondly, we don’t even have the Rio Gold in stock yet, how did you get it? Both purchased online for a total of $170, the employee was not the owner, I am sure the owner would not exactly be impressed with that story. The employee simply stated, I am very jealous and couldn’t believe the deals I got.
I know you are half joking about custom rods but I can’t help but agree. I fish a rod because of its flex, as long as the components are of good quality I do not see a reason to buy a custom rod. Again, this may be just me, I appreciate the ability to use a rods warranty if needed to get a completed rod back into the rotation as quick as possible. Special cork, reel seats, inlaid feathers etc just don’t do it for me. A tassle might be nice though, a bright purple rod with orange wraps, with a yellow tassle on the butt end. Also a cork handle that is 3 inches in diameter a lead reel seat and insert made out of an endangered species of wood. ;D
Alrighty, I bought the other Gunnison G2 that was listed… I couldn’t resist for $130
The first one arrived and it appears to be completely unused and new.
