Bob La Londe wrote:
Anybody use an automatic reel. I have a couple. A Martin (I've never used)
and PFlueger ( I have used). It seems to work just fine for small stocker
rainbow trout, but I've never caught any big fish with a fly rod. I 've
always just stripped line and use the spring loaded reel to take up slack.

In a recent post here somebody was talking about quickly getting a big fish
onto the reel so you can fight it. I think they went on to say that you
have to get a big fish onto the reel quickly or it will break off on you. I
don't think an automatic would have much use as a fighting tool.



I have a fly fishing friend who has only one arm. He uses automatic
reels - for salmon and steelhead as well. He uses a pumping action to
bring them in, holding the line under his finger while drawing back on
the rod, then releasing the line, squeezing the lever, and lowering the
rod to gain line. He does well with it. Another reel he got is called
a Franco Verelli. It has a cam lever that rotates the reel when it is
squeezed. The advantage to that one is that it does have an adjustable
drag.

Peter Collin