I primarily flyfish for steelhead with a spey rod. I don't get out on the river much due to job constraints. When I do get a day off, sometimes the rivers aren't ideal for flyfishing. I was thinking of purcahsing a center pin reel to float-fish with my spey rod.

Curious how many use a center pin rather than the traditional bait casting reel and what recommendations you might have?

Thanks

Gary you'll be hard pressed to get much info about center pin reels down here in the States as they are primarily used up in B.C.
I'm no authority but I have had the opportunity to use one on an 11 foot GL2 and it's a blast. Casting is a little different then traditional bait casting reels but you'll catch on quickly. Center pins unfortunately are very expensive. Be prepared to spend at least $200.00 for a low-end used reel with the better quality new ones going for $500.00 or more. I guess the center pin bearing is the key, if you hold the reel in your and with the handles up and spin them the spool should spin for a looooong time. I know some collectors up in Nanamio and might be able to contact them if you want. Your spey rod would work great or any medium/heavy action graphite rod 10.5 feet or longer works well. Again you don't want to buy a cheap rod cuz sometimes you have to pull the trigger before the float goes under, especialy with chinook, and you won't feel the bite with low-quality rods. Good luck.

gbeezer@aol.com

I am a Vancouver Island steelheader and fish with a ceter-pin reel. they are a blast, it's just like fishing with a large fly reel. they have their place, fishing a float from a drift boat they are excellent. bottom bouncing a med. speed run, fishing from shore when tight spaces are not an issue. they have their drawbacks; fishing a spoon means lots of winding 1:1 not 4:1 like a baitcaster, bottom bouncing a run that is up stream means constant winding to keep your line tight. casting is more of a lob than a flick like a baitcaster. you have to let go of the reel and have the line coming off before you start your casting motion, this means you need alittle more room behind you or beside you when you cast. depending on the size of your lead you can cast just as far as a baitcaster when distance is an issue. they are very much the same as fishing with a mooching reel for salmon, if you like that you'll love having a chrome steelie spinning the knobs on your center-pin. I don't know if you have access to Islander Reels down south, but they are made here in Victoria. they have a reel called the STEELHEADER it is possibly the nicest center-pin on the market. i say better than the HARDY. I don't know if they have a website but here's the address. 6771 Kirkpatrick Cresent, Saanichton,BC. V8M 1Z8, Canada. phone(250)544-1440. they are sweet reels! 400$ canadian dollars.

try www.islander.com

Teds Sport Center in Lynnwood (156th and 99;425-743-9505) has the Pacific Steelheader for $335 (1 left).