Great discussion; I have to come down on the side of Salmo. I long ago lost count of the number steelhead landed with my old Hardy St. Aidan and when I bought my first spey rod I had no hesitation hanging a Hardy Marquis Salmon 2 on it. I'm in the fortunate position of being able to get just about any reel I want at a reasonable price and, more and more, I find myself leaning toward spring-and-pawl reels for everything except my 10- and 12- weights during my annual foray to the Sea of Cortez for dorado and billfish.