Am looking to order one, but can't decide what would do best on my 9'6" 8 wt.--should I go for the 8 at $195, or the 10 at $210? Will the extra line capacity justify the added weight? Also--large or small arbor? My natural inclination is to go large...anybody have any input?

It's spooky trying to buy things without first running your fingers over them...I mean, I don't even know what these reels SOUND like (though I know Medalists are annoying as snot). Limitation of living on an island...

Do many of you out there run line rated heavier than your rods? I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to run 9 wt line on my 8 wt rod...I do this with my trout rod for increased rod loading.

...thanks for your comments...

Fishkisser-
You are not going wrong by getting a Teton Reel. I have the lower end Tioga in an 8 weight version and it is sweet. They sound GREAT, nothing like a Pflueger. The Tioga which runs for 120 has the same exact Drag system as the uper end Teton, the only difference is that the Teton is lighter and more machined out. My Tioga Is just the regular 8 weight, it can hold my 8 weight floating line and around 180 to 200 yards of 30 pound dacron backing, it can hold 220 yards of 20 pound. The large Arbour might hold less Im not sure. But I can tell you, that you wont have any complaints with either.

Fun Flyfishing- Josh

I have Teton Large arbor 7 to 9 and the 9 to 11. Both reels are awesome looking and wonderfully smooth. The drags are so smooth. I played with alot of reels and for 225.00, I cant see how ya can go wrong with these. The Tioga is a model down but I hear its also awesome for the money. Hope this helps in your decision...Now I have to see how they stand up to the "Bonefish Flats"...

I regularly fish with a Tioga and I was very impressed with how it fished. I was uneasy at first because I had some drag problems with Teton but that was a specific case. The most inpressive thing about this reel is the drag. It is very smooth and sounds good as line zips out. As for over loading your rod by one line size, It depends on how you feel. I have done it on my rods but what I found is that as my casting improved the benfits decreased

I own a couple of the Teton Large Arbors and love them. I think the posts above addressed the issues of size. (For what its worth, I fish a #9 long bellied steelhead taper and 200 yds of 30# backing on my 8-10 LA Teton.) As to your question about over lining, it depends on your casting style and the specific rod you fish. My single hander is a 10' 8 weight Scott STS which has a FAST action. I fish a 9 weight on it as it loads the rod much nicer. If possible, I would cast a couple of lines before deciding which to go with.

Speaking of Tiogas and Tetons, I'm a little confused about the spools. Is it true that a large arbor Teton is compatible with both the regular sized Teton spool and the large arbor spool. And conversely, if you have a regular Teton, can you this accommodate the Teton large arbor spool? Thanks for the help!

The frame is the same and the spools are interchangeable.

Thanks, Sinktip. That's exactly what I wanted to know. I think I'm gonna order one from REI.

...from REI? Why? Are they cheaper there than on the Teton website?

I'm on Orcas Island, and find it difficult to shop the mainland...who might have them in stock?

...looks at this point like I'm going with the 8-10 reel in the large arbor style and I'll be loading it with 9 wt line for my 8 wt rod...with floating on one spool and a 13' fast sink tip on the other. Should cover about everything I'll be fishing...

tight lines!

[This message has been edited by fishkisser99 (edited 02-29-2000).]

Fishkisser-

I strongly sugjest taking a look at the Airflo Multi-tip Flyline. It is a bit more expensive than most flylines but that is because of its versatality. (around 90 dollars) It allows you to use just one spool but have different types of flyline through an interchangeable tip system (the front sections are something like 12 or 13 feet).

What you get when you buy it is a 90-100 foot main floating section. A floating tip section, a clear intermediate tip, a fast sink tip (Something like 3 inches per second) and a ultra fast sink tip(7inches per second). The line has loops made into it so you can change them very quickly. And it comes with a nice mesh line wallet for the tip sections. The line also has a 5 year no crack guarantee.

I was a little hesistant about buying the line myself because I was worried that the line might hinge or cast funny at the connections. I ended up buying the line and am very impressed! It cast very, very nicely and Ive mostly used it with the ultra fast sink line which would normaly be the hardest because of its weight( at least I think). All the other sections cast great also. If you decide to buy the Airflo line you will not be dissapointed at all, and you will save money by not having to buy two flylines and an extra spool.

Fun Fishin- Josh

You can't go wrong with The Tetons. I have been selling them in my shop for three years and have had no returns. I fish them in the salt all the time and they show no signs of corrosion, and I am bad about always rinsing them.
The multi tip lines have some plus and minuses. With the loop connections you will always get some hinging, but for about 100 bucks you get three lines and dont have to purchase extra spools. I have sold a few Rio versi-tips and people seem happy with them.
REI will get you a good price, but they are hurting small flyshops, who provide alot more than just merchandise.

I bought mine from the Northwest Angler in Poulsbo...He gave me the same price as the bigger shops like Morning Hatch, plus Joes right! Theres alot to be said about the personal service you can get from a local Fly shop. They'll take ya out back and let ya try em. And usaully you can learn somthing new from the inhabitants of these shops!

You can't go wrong with a Teton/tioga reel.
They are the best bang for the buck. I own a 5/6 Tioga reel and use it for everything.
I have caught lots of chum, silvers, and trout with it. The drag works awesome for small fish and nasty chums. They also stand behind their product. I fell down a hill with my tube fins on and smashed up my reel frame. I sent it off with my credit card number and told them to go ahead and charge me for my clumsiness and stupidity. They sent it back within a week and didnt charge a dime!!! keep in mind that this is only a $100 reel. I am a Teton owner for life.

I bought mine in Port Townsend from a small shop that always gives ton of good advice.
(port townsend angler) REI will never be able tell you if steelhead are in a certain river or teach you anything.

Keep the flyfishing community alive!!

Fishkisser, I mentioned REI because I know they have them on their website and because I'm a member there, so I get a 10% refund at the end of each year on the total cost of my purchases there. Tight lines.

Joe, do you really think REI is hurting small flyshops? I've checked out their site, and it seems geared heavily towards beginners. Lots of basic how-to stuff and what not. Don't you think that by pulling more people into the sport, they're actually helping small flyshops? I mean, sure, I might order a thing or two from them from time to time, but a mail-order company -- be it REI or Cabela's or Orvis (all of whom I've ordered from) -- can never really replace the hands-on, local expertise of a good small flyshop. Seems like a synergistic relationship -- at least in my case, because I buy from both the big guys and the little guys, and the more I buy, the more I fish, and the more I fish, the more I buy...

Being that you own a shop, maybe you have a different take? Just curious...

I agree that mail order companys and REI pull more people into the sport, and before I opened a shop I often purchased gear through them. I have gained a diffrent perspective owning a small shop. The gear is expensive and from the outside if may seem like one would be getting rich selling it, but its a tough buisness. A lot of competion, limited number of local fisherman and a tough fishery. The diffrence between eating or starving in the winter could be one or two rod sales. The big stores have the economic power to buy at volume getting a better price, you dont have to pay sales tax if the shops out of state. They can sell for less and still make more money. Hard to beat.
So to compensate we offer free classes, casting and tying lessons, the inside scoop on whats happining not only in fishing but the politics and enviormental issues that surround it. Heck Ill even take you fishing.
It would be a bummer to have to drive to Seattle or wait a week to get a 3 dollar bag of Hot Orange marabou you need to fish tommorow.
Its a tough one, I couldnt afford my gear with out the guide discounts.
My Two Cents

Joe,
Thanks for your take on the situation. I see where you're coming from. I wish you and your shop good luck and great sales. Take care.

I noticed the Morning Hatch was mentioned as one of those "Big Fly Shops". I have a hard time grouping the Hatch with stores such as REI. I met Gary at the Morning Hatch when he first opened in Lakewood. He started very small but has been successful enough to expand and move his location. Although the Hatch has the ability to offer more than some of the smaller fly shops they maintain their small shop feeling.