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I use a Lamson 8-9 for saltwater in Arnhem Land, a cheap graphite or two for a 5-6 saltwater local estuary rod, a 1980s ABU magnesium and a Hardy Featherweight for a 4-5 freshwater. They serve me well.

My favorite Atlantic Salmon fly fishing reel is a Bogdan, made by hand by Stanley Bogdan himself. Considered as one of the best fly fishing reels in the world.

Second favorite is an Orvis Mach VI

KB

I started fly fishing in about 1980... with the Martin "outfit" from the local "got a little bit of everything" store. Cheap was an understatement... That reel (and subsequent replacements of the same contraption) was an adequate place to store line, but it would occasionally catch the fly line in the gap between the spool and the frame. Extremely irritating, and because of the damage to the fly line, and my pre-pubescent line to tippet tying skills, it sometimes looked like I had a green bird's nest as a strike indicator.

I've had several versions of "affordable" reels since, and the tolerances seem much better, but I must strip pretty hard, because I've eaten several plastic clickers in my casting experience. That's a factor that may make me lean towards the more expensive.

I've bought every single clockspring reel I've found at yard sales... for under $5, and I love those old things... although I did blow one out recently by getting a little too far out there without relieving the spring. (But I was WAY out there!) I have a dozen of them at least.

I'm not sure how it happened, they certainly didn't get it from me... but my two outdoorsie sons are hoidy toidy brand name brand name snobs! Not just in outdoor gear, but in many other things. They can't afford the $300 reels, but they are buying the 70-100 units. (I just scored a floor model off ebay for half price, just to rub it in on them!) But I must admit, they've got some gear that's a pleasure to play with!

My opinion... Cheap = $30-50 retail, and entirely adequate. Expensive... well, if I can get it for almost nothing to half its value from an estate sale... hey!

No yard sale left uncombed!

I have.a St Croix Pro-Graphite flyrod (8.5 foot, 6-7 wt, 2-piece) with a USA-made Pflueger 1495 Medalist as my smallmouth rig.

I sometimes think about "moving up" from my bought-used $10 reel, but then I ask, " Why? What hasn't it done that I have asked it to do? ". Ok, it's not the lightest but it keeps on going. I even bought an external rim spool for it 20 years ago to palm drag- if needed. A determined 3 lb+ smallie will take out some line with it. The original factory drag system has helped (and worked just fine) on many runs for over 25 years.. (tidbit: my most effective smallmouth fly/streamer? White /Polar Muddler Minnor)

All in all, my 1495 Medalistis like the Energizer bunny, it just keeps going and going, and doing its job.

I might try a newer reel if my 1495 Medalist ever wears out...in 30+ years???

Just bought a TFO NXT Black Label 1 reel for the 7 1/2 ft 3 wt cheesy got me for Chrismas. The more I think about it the more I think I'll play musical chairs with my old St Croix Imperial 4 wt. It has carried a small spool Cabelas Drake 1 reel for the 20 years I've had it and I'm thinking the NXT would be a better fit on that rod. It's doubtful the little 3 wt will need the drag used much if at all since it will be used for local panfish and hopefully western small stream trout.

Some good points