Has anyone owned a Compac fly reel. A friend has one that is new in the box. Looks to be '70's vintage. I think it was sold by St. Croix at the time, and is for 10/11 wt. line.

It's looks nice, but maybe a bit heavy, no disc drag, and only set up for R hand retrieve.

I'm thinking of making him an offer and then putting more money into my fly rod purchase and upgrading my reel later.

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff, for the most part (in fly fishing) the reel is just a place to 'store your line.' Many of the most beloved reels only have a click and pawl to make noise (Hardy and others).

For the most part, the 'drag' is finger pressure against the spool rim. So if you can 'palm the spool' you're good to go for all but the BIGGEST OF FISH.

There a drag of some sort would be 'nice.'