8wt reel

[FishHawk]

Thinking of getting an 8wt reel . Choices are the Nautilus , Tibor Everglade and Back Country Wide. Also added to the list might be a non ported Able.
Any suggestion of my choices. FishHawk

[dumbboys]

The Nautilus reels are the nicest I've seen. Absolutely beautiful and bulletproof. I've got an NV 10/11 on order myself.

[cb2fly]

FishHawk , of the reels listed you can't make a bad choice. I am partial to the Nautilus Reels as well. Consider a lighter reel (smaller) depending on your needs and personal inventory. For most of my inshore flyfishing I tend to go on the lighter side, but beware of the monster fish that takes your backing to the limit...tight lines

[cumberlandflyguy]

I too have a Nautalis reel and love it. Good value for the money and a joy to fish with.

[Chigger]

You guys are making it really hard not to get a nautilus. I think they are fantastic, but i haven't fished one yet. Just check'n it out in the fly shop.

Good luck with your choice, and let me know how it works out.

[Pete_G]

I've always lived and died by the Tibor, so I'm going to have to throw that vote out there. The Everglades is heavy, but it's a tank, which I love. The Back Country isn't a bad choice either, especially if you're trying to build a "light" 8 weight. Abel is never a bad choice either, and I like the non-ported too. I don't mind heavier fly reels. Both company's reputations are pretty much flawless.

Old Florida seems to have come a long way. They've been blacklisted at the SWE for years after a bunch of original reels' anodizing failed and turned purple just weeks after customers bought them and in one case it took the company literally a year to replace a customer's reel. The company has changed hands since then but that experience left a scar and remains the benchmark of bad customer service by a fly reel company.

Judging by the overwhelming response in this thread though it might be time to give them another shot.

[FishHawk]

I might give them a try also. Thanks all for your imput. FishHawk

[capecodkid]

I love my everglades, great reel. I don't think its that heavy. Bulletproof reel with a great drag.

[riflyfisher]

I think that most professional guides (at least in FL) would vote for Tibor hands down, assuming that cost is not a factor. Abel would be second, but it is heavy. I have the Everglades, and it is flawless.

[cb2fly]

FishHawk, did you pull the trigger?

Or are you still fishin" for a reel?

cb