I found this

http://www.dennisonspecialtyflyreels.com/servlet/Detail?no=18

anyone else have a favorite lightweight reel?

Ross Evolution is an outstanding reel albeit pricey.

Jeff do you own one of these reels I would love to know how you like it. The Weight for the price is almost to good to be true.

Troy, I do not own it. Unless I can come across a better option between now and the time I purchase my lightweight rod(or build my own). I plan on picking it up.

I am also interested in any feedback if someone purchases one. I will post up the info and review of whatever I go with.

Jeff

http://www.jaustinforbes.com/stealth.html
2.2 oz reel

this is my dream UL set up. until then i have a 7 piece with a Martin reel

Edited by mikeinfhaz on 07/03/2008 20:41:16 MDT.

I own one of those Dennison reels and I think it is not good for a whole lot of anything. The reel is so small it hardly holds any line (it wouldn't hold an entire 3wt line), what line it does hold comes out in tiny tiny coils, and the reel has almost no leverage for fighting fish again due to the small diameter. The reel doesn't have any drag, which is OK for ultralight reels, but the spool doesn't have an exposed rim for palming so if you hook a big fish, you can't play it from the reel.

Two alternatives:
Orvis Battenkill Barstock 3.2 ounces for the I size, 3.5 ounces for the II size. Smooth disc drag, machined construction, exposed rim for palming the spool.

White River Fly Shop Classic "Ultralight" 2.2 ounces, click and pawl drag (not adjustable), but the reel has fully machined construction and an exposed rim for palming.

Both are about $90 and very high quality fly reels.

I have the Dennison rod and reel combo. The reel does not hold enough line and has no drag. This combo is perfect for small brush choked streams and creeks. In the Sierra's I fish mostly in lakes above tree line and larger creeks. I ended up buying the Cabela's 8'6" travel rod and an Orvis BBS ll reel. This combo at 7 ozs. is just 2 ozs. more then the Dennison but is well worth the extra weight because of it's extra casting power, adjustable drag and greater line storage. This combo costs around $200.00 which I think is a great deal when you consider what you could pay for expensive fly fishing gear. Besides who wants to bring a $1000.00 rod and reel combo out into the wilderness anyways.

I recently picked up this reel here


]

J. Austin Forbes Avon 2"
http://www.jaustinforbes.com/avon.html
1.6oz

My Sage SLT 0wt rod is 1.69oz. With line the total weight is about 4.5oz

Edited by anacrime on 08/26/2008 15:25:15 MDT.