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Backpacker Magazine – May 2011
Gear Review: Sage 1650 Fishing Reel
Reel in dinner with the Sage 1650.
Sage 1650 Reel (Courtesy)
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Tags:
- Gear |
- Fly fishing |
Catch a Big One
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The best rod in the world is nothing without a good reel. It needs to release line smoothly and tension it just so when you hook a fish and start pulling it in. The 1650’s “drag” (a simple clutch system that spools out line when enough force is applied) gave all of our testers—both beginners and experts—the ability to control big, deep-diving rainbows. See more fly-fishing gear
“I could keep tension on the fish to steer it away from entangling logs, but still allow it some freedom so it couldn’t break free,” says one of our Alpine Lakes testers. Another praised the drag’s sealed graphite construction, which requires no maintenance. Paired with the Redington rod, the 1650 makes a complete package that doesn’t sacrifice performance for weight or price. $99; 6 oz.; sageflyfishing.com
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READERS COMMENTS
I have three Trout Reels, a Walmart Special made by Scientific Anglers which has not failed me in 20 years and cost $11. and two automatic Pflueger 1195's which are a bit heavy but do the job very well on my Wright & McGill Pack Rods. I inherited the one Pflueger from my Grandfather who passed on in 1966, and the other I bought on eBay for less than $20. new in the box.
I have three Trout Reels, a Walmart Special made by Scientific Anglers which has not failed me in 20 years and cost $11. and two automatic Pflueger 1195's which are a bit heavy but do the job very well on my Wright & McGill Pack Rods. I inherited the one Pflueger from my Grandfather who passed on in 1966, and the other I bought on eBay for less than $20. new in the box.
This is the lightest fly reel I could find: Forbes Magnesium Reel 2.5 inch, 2.2 ounces. Got it for $80 and love it.
Link is broke for me... sage-flyfishingoutfitters.com works though
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