Looking to buy a new reel. I can spend around $50. No more then $60. If I can ask what is the best reel in that price point? I know I could get a better one at $50 if i go used. But would just like to know what is the best buy at fifty. Thank you, Jared.

Jared -

In the $50 range, your best bet will be the Ross Worldwide reels. The Flystart, Flycast, and Flywater are all very good reels for the price. You didn't say what size reel, but the Flystart #2 (4-6 wt) is $45 retail.

The Okuma SLV 45 (4-5 wt) is $40-$45 retail, and is a good reel.

There are some Eagle Claw, Martin, and Pflueger reels in this price range, but none of them will touch the Ross or even the Okuma.

For my money, go with the Flystart. Ross quality is hard to beat. Good Luck!!

I second that. The Ross reels are a very good value. And I just happened to check out a buddy's Okuma SLV 45 earlier today. It looked pretty nice for the price. The fit/finish isn't the same as higher priced rods, but the reel felt smooth and the drag strong.

I've also used the Redington Clearwater reel on some of my rods. Inexpensive composite construction (in the version I have) but decent drag and a good value for the $30 price.

Sorry, I need a reel in 2-3wt to go with the rod I just got. It is a Cabela's traditional 6'6 2wt rod. The reel looks like a good fit. Thank you for the help. Anyone know who was the best price on the Ross flystart?

IMO, budget 2-3wt reels are hard to find. They are either pricey or too heavy for most light rods.

I use the smallest Orvis Battenkill BS on my light rods. They run $90 new. But you may be able to chase a used one down on ebay in your price range. Other than that, I'd say take a look at the Pflueger 1492. A buddy of mine has one on his 4wt and it seems like it might work for a lighter rod than that as well. I think they are $40 or so.

Riverbum.com has them for $40.00 with free shipping and no sales tax. The link:

http://www.riverbum.com/Ross-Flystart/

One word of caution - The Flystart 1 is the smallest of the line, and it weighs 5.2 ounces. That is really a reel for a 4-5 wt rod. On your 2wt, it may feel very heavy, and will certainly balance the rod inside the grip, making the rig feel heavy in your hand. For best balance, a rod setup should balance just at the front of the grip, at the hook keeper. Personal preference comes into play here, but you may be happier with a reel weighing in the 3.0 - 4.0 oz class.

Problem is, there are very few choices at this weight and your price range. You might try the Okuma SLV 2/3, which is lighter by almost an ounce than the Flystart, and only $40. Your best bet is to try to find an Orvis Bar Stock I or II. The Bar Stock I is only 3.2 ounces, and would balance great with your 2wt. It is $89 new, but you might find one nearly new on eBay for less. Good Luck!!

Thank you for the info! I was not able to find the Okuma SLV in stock anywhere. Do you know of any online shops that have it in at $40? Thank you again.

There are two on eBay at $43.00 and $45.00 but the one I saw at $40.00 must have sold. Here is one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/OKUMA-SLV-23-2-3-LARGE...1QQcmdZViewItem

and the other:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Okuma-SLV-23-Fly-Fishi...Q2em118Q2el1247

You might actually get the reel for even less if you can bid on one, rather than using the Buy it Now approach. Both of these above are good deals.

Yeah, as johnsonr1948 says, weight is the big issue with budget light line reels. That's why I love my Orvis Barstock reel so much. I think it's a very good value for a reel like this.

But if your budget is $50, then that's your budget.

The Pflueger 1492 is 4.2 oz and there seem to be a pile of them in the $25 + shipping range on ebay. I think I would take the Okuma given the choice. But if you can't find it, the Pflueger might be worth a look. I think you'll get $25 of use out of it with no problem.

Thank you all for the help. I went with the ross flystart from Riverbum.com. $40 with free shipping was to good to pass up. I guess I need to know what line I should get for it. The rod is a 6'6 cabelas traditional 2-3wt. So what backing and line do you think would be a good fit? Thanks again

Where are you located and what are you fishing for? If you are fishing for trout in small creeks my answer will be different than if you are fishing for bass and panfish in farm ponds or lakes. Let me know your quarry and the size of the water you are fishing, that will help me zero in on the correct line. On the backing, you should go with the least expense 20 lb backing available, it should on take about 75 yds. of 20 lb test. Riverbum will put the backing on for you for $4.00. If they haven't shipped the reel yet, call them and get them to do it, normally backing is about $10 for 100 yds.

Sorry, here is more info on what I am after. I live in central Wisconsin. I am looking to catch trout. Most likely small browns. The streams are all small. Some only 5ft across. Some are bigger up 20 20ft in with. All are under pine trees and tall grass. Most of the fly's I use are dry. Thank you, Jared.

Jared -

OK, you need a 3wt line for your 2-3 rod. All lines are classified by the weight of the first 30 ft., so if you have less line out than 30 ft, the line is effectively lighter, and vice versa. Using a 3wt line will help you load the rod. Since your casts will be short, either a Double Taper or Weight Forward will actually be great. Since you are fishing in colder water than I am, you need as supple a line as possible, which means one with a braided core. There are many good lines out there, SA Mastery, RIO, Sage, Airflo, Cortland. The trick is to buy a good line without paying the typical $60 retail. I usually buy on eBay, and I love Airflo 7000 lines if I can find them. Here is one on eBay that is a bargain:

http://cgi.ebay.com/AIRFLO-POLYFUSE-TECHNO...Q2em118Q2el1247

Here is an Airflo Platinum:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Airflo-Platinum-Fly-Li...Q2em118Q2el1247

Here is a Rio Selective Trout, an excellent line:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rio-Selective-Trout-WF...1QQcmdZViewItem

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your time and help all!!

For the scene you describe, I would (and do) fish it with a 3wt Rio Selective Trout Double taper.

if you are willing to spend a good amount of money on a fly line, i would do something like a rio selective trout line like was suggested earlier or a cortland clear creek line. the clear creek line has a very long front taper/tip and would make a great supple and soft prestenting line. if your on more of a budget, i would suggest the dorber fly lines. you can get these for 14$ and i've heard that they've been privately labeled for like 50$ or something. bottom line: a good line for as cheap as you can find. i just bought the 7'6" cabelas traditional as my primary small stream rod and love it. it's matched up with a cabelas prestige (aka - okuma sierra which is a very nice reel might i add for $30-$40) and a cortland 444. www.dorber.com have fun out there!