What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (Boo) — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:02:20 GMT

I started off using the Hardy Marquis and really like the later model the best. But, I switched to the Hardy Sunbeam. It's heavier than the Marquis therefore balances bamboo better. It has the palming rim and the Sunbeam has a wonderful classic look. I would think the Hardy Sunbeam 6/7 would balance your rod and look just as great, if not better, for a helluva lot less than the other reels you mention.

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (mac7x) — Sun, 03 May 2009 10:57:21 GMT

You might consider a Sage 506. They were made by Hardy in England, more substantial than a Lightweight series of similar capacity, either left or right hand wind, and easily palmed. The bronze color goes well with a cane rod, and the cost is considerably less than a right hand Perfect, let alone a left hander. I use one on my shad rod, an 8½', 2½ f Heddon.

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (WatercolorMan) — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:59:59 GMT

I live out West and seem to have gathered lots of 6wt rods. I have owned most of the reel that have been mentioned and now find myself using the 3 1/4 & 3-1/2 Bougle or my 3-3/8 Winston Perfect. I LHW and would have an old St George in the mix.

I have always liked palming a reel but now use the rod angles to fight and control the fish. Got to love those Hardys. I must say I have a J.W. Young 3 1/2 Beaudex
that suits several of my 6 wt rods very well.

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (Blue Quill) — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:06:00 GMT

Hi 8xtippet,

Like you I love the Lightweight series reels, and like you I love the Marquis series as well, and maybe a little more.

My first "Hardys" were the original Sci Angler "System" reels, which as you probably know were made by Hardy for Sci Angler and later sold as the Marquis. (For those interested, the original Sci Angler "System" rods were bamboo and made by Farlows). I then started buying the Hardy Marquis and had the 4, 5, and...

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (8xtippet) — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:27:21 GMT

Thanks a bunch for the help and suggestions. I'm leaning toward a 3-1/2 Bougle. I might hold out for a MKIV if I can find one. It'll be a while before I have the rod ready, I need someone to supply a blank and I don't know yet what taper might be best.

Chuck, I love the lightweights, too. I have silver and golden editions of the three lightest, and was until recently actively looking for the Princess versions, too. Featherweight was my second Hardy reel, after my...

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (rsagebrush) — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:51:17 GMT

Not the brass faced Hardy's they are quite hefty and balance very well on 8-81/2 bamboo rods.

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (SEKG) — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:29:36 GMT

rsagebrush wrote:
On my bamboo six weights I use the reissue brass faced 3" widespool perfect - what can I say - it's Perfect.

I would think so in order to balance the rod properly; the afore mentioned reels, although nice reels, would be much to light, eg. my Marquie #6 is way to light for my 209E, which only a 5wt.

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (rsagebrush) — Sat, 02 May 2009 14:11:55 GMT

On my bamboo six weights I use the reissue brass faced 3" widespool perfect - what can I say - it's Perfect.

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (Shoeless Joe) — Sat, 02 May 2009 10:28:31 GMT

8xtippet wrote:
... Bougle VI 3-1/4 ... Princess ... 3-1/2 Bougle ... 3-3/8 Perfect ... 7/8 Prince ...

Though any of the aforementioned would work just fine, if it's another reel you're wanting to add to the fold, then you might give consideration to the following: a Golden JLH #7, a (gray-colored) JLH #7 or a Marquis #7.

... and though it probably won't...

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (seattlesetters) — Sat, 02 May 2009 10:01:55 GMT

I have the Bouglé Mk IV in 3 1/4" and 3 1/2" and a two-screw Princess. I think they'd all three work on an 8' 6wt, although I prefer the capacities of the 3 1/2" Bouglé and Princess for a 6wt line.

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (FWdB) — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:08:07 GMT

Your Bouglé will serve you just fine, I use my 3 inch MkIV for lines #3 and #4, so using a #5 or #6 line on a 3 1/4 inch makes perfect sense to me!

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (Blue Quill) — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:27:05 GMT

Hi 8Xtippet,

I'm a big fan of the Hardy Lightweight series; pretty much all I use.

I use a Princess on a PHY Parabolic 15 taper (6wt tips) that I made for myself a few years ago and I love it (my go-to rod for big rivers, big flys, and windy days).

And as I'm sure you know the Princess is reverable L/R as well.

Chuck

Re: What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (Aransas) — Fri, 01 May 2009 23:24:49 GMT

Dave, I prefer a 3 1/2" MK IV Bougle for a 6-wt although your 3 1/4" will certainly do the job.

What Hardy reel for 6 wt?

feeds@yuku.com (8xtippet) — Fri, 01 May 2009 22:24:18 GMT

I'm planning to put together an 8' 6 wt fly rod for trout streamers and river smallmouth bass. I don't normally fish a 6 wt rod, being mostly a 3 through 5 wt guy... what reel would you most likely choose for such a task? I have a Bougle VI 3-1/4, would that suffice? or should I go with a Princess or 3-1/2 Bougle? 3-3/8 Perfect? 7/8 Prince? I don't want a disk drag...Keep in mind I need a leftie reel.

What would you do??

dave