I've had an STH reel since Jake Jordan hooked me up with a machined 5,6,7,8 cassette in the early 90's. I've tortured it, abused it, neglected it, and drug it from Montana to Alaska and everywhere in between. It's been back to the factory several times (including to Cortland lately) for "upgrades" and fixes. Overall, its not been a bad reel. I've caught everything from bluegill to 30 lb Kings on it. It is very servicable. A few years later I bought one of thier pressed models and it has performed about the same. They are not that fancy looking, smooth, or tight as better gear but they work.

Last Sat. I bought a new C-1 for 30 bucks (including spare spool) at Flaming Gorge Lodge in Utah. They were closing them out and it is about the same as my previous STH's. On a ground beef budget they are OK. There also was a nice machined Phos for 50% off (around 90-bucks and I shoulda bought it) that would make a great little steelhead reel.
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Chasing old rags 500 miles from home.