I recently picked up a gently used Sage 7136-4 Z-axis to fish summer and winter run steel. Looking to pair it with a nice reel.

Price isn't a huge issue. What are a few good manufactures? I'd prefer a light high performance reel.

Thanks!

I hear that's a nice rod. A friend likes his so well he picked up a second one off Ebay last summer.

I'm not sure what you mean by a "high performance" reel. Do you mean last a lifetime or more kind of quality? A Hardy Marquis Salmon No. 2 is tried and true and will outlast you. Have you thought about a custom reel? I bought a Shamburg wide drum a couple years ago. It's based on the ancient Dingley; is simple like the old Hardys, and should last forever. Another is Speyco, which comes in several models, and you can pick and choose how you want them finished. Pretty reasonable in price too, around $400.

Sg

Thats what I heard as well. The one arrow in the quiver that "can" do it all if needed.

What I mean by high performance is newer technology (material, design, drag, etc). I think the design I'm referring to is arbor. A friend of mine also suggested Hardy. I have another friend who can get me a steep discount on Lamson.

I'll checkout the manufactures suggested. Thanks!

This would be perfect for that rod, being that price isn't an issue.

http://www.bearsden.com/page423.html

If I had the money, this is what I would have.

I have a Hardy that was the last model made at the "House of Hardy" I believe they are made in Korea nowadays. If your looking at the Lamson Konic's, check around as there are many sales going on with those reels right now.

That is one sweet reel. Thanks for the suggestion!

I am a big lamson fan and have a Litespeed 4 on a 7110 z-axis and it balances very well. I suspect you would need something a tad bigger for the 13.5 footer though?

You'll love that rod. Bout as good as they get in my opinion.

Was looking at the Litespeed and a few of the others. Just not sure how much line capacity I'll need.

I also like the Hardy performance reels. The ultralight disc drag... may be a bit small though.

Again, green here... is there something wrong with disc drag?

The older Lamsons are relatively heavy and pair well with two handers. You can find those on eBay, Craigslist, etc. most of the time. The one thing I don't like about my Lamsons is that the drag seems to tighten up after they get wet. Never had the drag fail on me, though.

You're gonna like that rod... A lot.

Thats what I keep hearing!! Should arrive this week and hopefully, land its first fish on the OP this weekend!

If I was to get any reel right now that's on the market it would be...

http://looptackle.com/website1/1.0.1.0/794/1/

Though my $100 standard arbor special matches up my new whipper well!

I've heard good things about those Loop reels. Worth a look.

I matched my Z-Axis 7136 with the Sage 6010. Not a cheap one, but few are for 2 handers. Built simple yet hell for stout. Love it and the rod. Has done everything asked of so far.

+1 on Lamson. Great reels for the price. Reels matter less in flyfishing / spey casting as they are really only glorified line holders. You'll be casting a lot of line, so large arbors are the way to go (less line memory) and the start up initeria is way less to help protect your tippet. Good luck with your selection.

I like Lamson too. I have a Galvin reel on my spey rod though.

I own one of those Galvan Torques, its matched up with the "cannon" right now... haven't hooked and big fish with it yets but its a good made in the USA reel for the money

Looking at the Lamson Arx. Possibly a few others. Need to see which balances the rod the best and has adequate line capacity. Thanks for the help!

I was just oogling that Arx reel a few days back. After I backed over the reel for my 14' 9wt, I am in the market for another big dog.

The Litespeed 4 I have would be just a tad light to balance the 13.5 footer I think, but the Arx 4.5 which is just a bit bigger and 2oz heavier might just be an ideal fit for that rig.

So many of the modern fly reels are now so light, even in the large sizes, they don't balance well with Spey rods, although they feel ever so much better on the heavy line single hand salt water fly rods.

Sg

Ouch Coley. Wheels and Reels can be a bad combination.

ColeyG, If you hop on the ARX let me know what you think.

Buddy can hook me up with one of these for just under $400. Still more money then I'd like to spend.

http://www.rossreels.com/reels/ross-f1.html

Ended up going with the Lamson Arx. Thanks for all the suggestions!

So did I! Should be here in a few days. Lets compare notes

If the river's aren't blown... Sunday it is!