Automatic Reels

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.



--
Bob La Londe

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Jig Fishing - Tips and Techniques Contest
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On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 20:10:41 -0700, "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.

And your thinking is correct. There have been several attempts at
"fine" automatics, and of those about which I am familiar, not a one has
been any more than an over-engineered line holder/slack-taker-upper for,
as you've already discovered, small quarry. I have one in particular,
one of several samples, built (hell, crafted, even) like a Swiss watch,
and while I'm sure it's a marvel of design and craftsmanship, it's about
as useful and (truly) appropriate a FFing tool as a platinum-cased Patek
Philippe moonphase chronograph or a pave Tiffany "gentleman's knife."

In any case, IMO, if one wants "auto-mechanized" FFing, whatever the
quarry, one is missing the point...and there are plenty of folks already
missing the point for a myriad of other reasons...

TC,
R

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

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


How does he land and unhook them? Can he manage that one-handed, or
does he always fish with a buddy?

--riverman

On 22 Aug 2005 06:53:05 -0700, "riverman" wrote:

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


How does he land and unhook them? Can he manage that one-handed, or
does he always fish with a buddy?

--riverman

First, I think Peter means "Vivarelli," (unless it's a knock-off, sorta
like a gen-u-wine gold-tone krome-plated Tijuana "RolleXXX") and second,
depending on the size of the quarry and the conditions in which the
angler finds himself, a one-handed release (or landing) isn't all that
difficult. Oh, and third, Verelli or Vivarelli (or RolleXXX), I'll
still pass on (semi) automatic reels...but, I suppose, I have two good
arms, so I'll modify my previous "no (semi)automatic reels" to "unless
you only have one arm..."

TC,
R

wrote in message
...
...Verelli or Vivarelli (or RolleXXX), I'll
still pass on (semi) automatic reels...but, I suppose, I have two good
arms, so I'll modify my previous "no (semi)automatic reels" to "unless
you only have one arm..."

Easy enough to find out. Hold up all the arms you have. Count them.

Wolfgang
who realizes, of course, that if he's got more than five he's
screwed......but we'll deal with that when and if necessary.

On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 10:44:17 -0500, "Wolfgang" wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
...Verelli or Vivarelli (or RolleXXX), I'll
still pass on (semi) automatic reels...but, I suppose, I have two good
arms, so I'll modify my previous "no (semi)automatic reels" to "unless
you only have one arm..."

Easy enough to find out. Hold up all the arms you have. Count them.

Wolfgang
who realizes, of course, that if he's got more than five he's
screwed......but we'll deal with that when and if necessary.

Well, only two ar...well, wait...hang on...yep, two arms...

....but the gals call me tripod...

And the Lord did spaketh upon them: "Go forth, my children - be
fruitful, and get down tonight." And the celestial horn section brought
forth a mighty groovy blast.

Hmmm...I guess He liketh a wee touch of KC and the Sunshine Band in his
deitying duties...

riverman wrote:

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


How does he land and unhook them? Can he manage that one-handed, or
does he always fish with a buddy?

--riverman


He beaches them when alone.

On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:08:20 GMT, "Peter A. Collin"
wrote:

riverman wrote:

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


How does he land and unhook them? Can he manage that one-handed, or
does he always fish with a buddy?

--riverman


He beaches them when alone.

Does he CnR? If so, maybe he ought to just face the fact that there are
certain things he is no longer able to do, pardon the pun,
single-handed.

TC,
R

wrote in message
...
On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:08:20 GMT, "Peter A. Collin"
wrote:

riverman wrote:

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


How does he land and unhook them? Can he manage that one-handed, or
does he always fish with a buddy?

--riverman


He beaches them when alone.

Does he CnR? If so, maybe he ought to just face the fact that there are
certain things he is no longer able to do, pardon the pun,
single-handed.

Hm.....

The evidence presented demonstrates conclusively that there are certain
things Peter's friend IS still able to do single-handed......unless, for
reasons unknown to me, there is reason to discount Peter's testimony. We
may certainly (and probably safely) infer that certain activities (say, a
career as a cellist, for example) are closed to a one-armed man, but
successfully catching and releasing salmon would not appear to be among
them.

Wolfgang
and then there's that whole murdering doctors' wives career choice......but
that's a whole 'nother show.