FS Digest

I mainly target trout but rarely do I ever feel the need to take them on the reel, and mostly just strip them in. Would a click pawl be more fun on smaller trout since there’s barely any drag?

Also the pfuelger medalist is downright sexy.

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by crek42

FS Digest

I tried one but had been stripping all my life and just couldn't break the habit so it didn't work for me. I fish mostly trout in northwestern Maine.

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by sage4wt

FS Digest

I hate the noise. In my world reels should not add noise pollution to tranquil, serene settings, and I feel strongly enough about that to have surgically removed the useless plastic clickers on a couple Lamsons. (Well, actually I just crudely twisted them off with hemostats.)

But, to your question, if you just strip your trout in it won't make any difference what kind of line holder you have. I just strip in most smaller fish on anything less than a 6wt.

That said, there are reasons to get a fish on the reel rather quickly and one of those reasons is if you have to move to manipulate the fish away from a brushpile, you don't want a tangle of line around your legs. This goes triple for being in a boat, where a tangle of line at your feet is dangerous and at very least will get stepped on and snagged.

For me going ahead and using the reel is a matter of unlearning a bad habit and learning a new habit, but it makes sense. (You wouldn't think an old spinfisher would have trouble remembering to reel!)

As to whether a click pawl is more fun because it has little to no drag, consider that on any reel with a drag that is worth talking about, the drag can be set to essentially null. All of my reels from 4-9wt have a useable drag system whether or not I use them that way. These days a reel with a useable drag doesn't even necessarily cost more. (My 3/4wts and a couple 5/6wt machined 5/6wts were $50 ea. You'll pay more for some classic click pawl reels that aren't as versatile.)

Also, IMO, regardless of what you pick, a large arbor beats the hell out of the old small arbor reels, and most modern large arbor reels come default with a useable drag that can be set not to engage.

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by Independent

FS Digest

There are few sounds as iconic as an Orvis CFO or the Hardy screaming as the line peels off.

There is still drag on click and pawl as they are built to be palmed. They are light, failsafe, and sound awesome. That is, if you like sound. I still use CFOs on anything under a 5 weight.

With a decent rod there are not many trout in the states/countries that I've fished that can't be brought to bear without a mechanical drag.

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by howdidhegettobeprez

FS Digest

My click pawl is heavier than my newer drag reel. It also doesnt really have an adjustable drag, but I used it with no problem for about 15 years.

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by hopsinduo

FS Digest

I have one on my two weight. I wish I could get rid of the winding sound though... I’d rather only hear it on the way out. Some reels can do this but not my el-cheapo.

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by BlazeFenton

FS Digest

I just use a drag reel set to nothing. My okuma slv offers click on drag only and is wicked cheap!

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by hopsinduo

FS Digest

Depends if permanent hearing loss is on your bucket list.

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by dodgydodgerson

FS Digest

Why? I grew up on click pawl reels so I just set my new reel to really low drag and fish like that.

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by hopsinduo

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

IIRC some fly guys used to hang a basket from their waist and drop the stripped line into it. Have not seen that in many years.