I have 3 STH reels. Have had drag problems with a couple of them in the past and have had to send them back for repairs (one on 2 seperate occasions). What I do like them for are stillwater fishing situations where you might use 4 or 5 different lines depending on the depth of fish etc. All of mine are the $100 IM models with the interchangeable cassettes for about $10 a piece. Cabela's recently had them on sale for $50 (probably because of all the rumors about the drags)and I bought a 5 weight. It is not a great $100 reel unless you have many lines to go with it but it is a good $50 reel. If you were to buy extra spools for 5 flylines such as a Ross or Tioga, you would have quiet an investment. With STH, you can buy two reels and a bunch of cassettes (because you probably will use it while one is in the shop) for the same price. I believe that Cortland Flyline Co. recently bought the STH Co. which originated in Argentina. For strictly river fishing situations, I would buy a good quality reel and perhaps a spare spool but would concentrate on using lines with interchangeabe tips so as not to buy a bunch of extra spools.

DaveD