Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (cdmoore) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:05:16 GMT

I would choose from the following: CFO II, I, or 123; Hardy Fly- or Featherweight; Hardy St. George Jr.; an early Marquis 2-3; or, the Hardy-made early Battenkill. The others mentioned will work of course, but in terms of balance (weight and visual), I don't think you can go wrong with the above. Good luck!

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (Finn) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:12:52 GMT

A 2 1/2" Brass Reel. Perfect size for eye appeal and balances well. I have no idea who built it other than it came from England via Canada.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (jcole) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:47:46 GMT

Here are the reels that I have that (more or less) fit the Flea. Robichaud, Perfect, Flyweight, Marryat, Sunbeam, respectively:

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (tiptop) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:16:15 GMT

If you can find one, a Hardy Baby Bougle would be sweet on the Flea. I would want to go as small and light as possible with such a small rod.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (Chief) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:23:37 GMT

I use a Hardy Cascapedia on my Orvis Flea which really workes great with a 4wt line on it. The Hardy Cascapedia reel will hold #2/3/4 line. Plus it has the sweeping 'S' shaped handle and it really looks nice on the Orvis Flea.

I was just on the Yellow Breaches today fishing BWO with the Orvis Flea and using the Cascapedia and it doesn't get and better.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (jcole) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:01:27 GMT

The Flea I've got is older too. It casts a WF3 well. That said, I haven't compared it carefully 3 vs. 4.

Since I've got a Flyweight already, that will be Plan A. This thread has provided a lot of ideas for Plan B, C, etc. Plan $ will be the Baby Bogdan.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (jz2) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:36:41 GMT

My flea is an earlier model and I prefer a dt3 over the dt 4. it feels overlined with the 4 at anything more than leader and a few feet of line. that said, I have cast fleas that were 4wts. this with the usual caveat that we all have individual casting styles.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (Shoeless Joe) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:07:23 GMT

tedgolden wrote:
I use a Hardy Featherweight with mine. Occasionally a CFO II.

Though there are many, many reels that would do your Flea proud, there's just something special about the CFO II ...

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (nwdlj) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:44:58 GMT

I just went in and checked my Flea and both my Bogdan Baby Trout and Galvan OB-2 fit on it fine and balance well...dj

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (Finn) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:42:19 GMT

How does the flea cast the 3 wt?

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (jz2) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:47:20 GMT

I like my st george jr on mine.
set up with 3 wt.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (hopkintoncane) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:07:54 GMT

I think these non-palming rim Battenkills look fabulous on the older Orvis rods, and they will fit the reelseat you describe, I may stand corrected but I think they are made by Hardy and basically are the Flyweight/Featherweight reels with Orvis markings, what could be better than that??? Todd

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (Greg Reynolds) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:10:51 GMT

A Hardy Flyweight should be fine--it certainly isn't too light on a short, 2-oz rod and has the capacity for a 3-wt line. I've used a Flyweight, Featherweight and CFO II on my similar 6 1/2-foot, 2 1/4-oz Orvis Superfine over the years with good results.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (mtn) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:06:15 GMT

Your not the only one Bob, I think Orvis new what line weight was best too. I'd try a Featherwieght or even an LRH not alot of difference in scale weight but the LRH helps with line coils with the larger arbor. I owned a *$^! Flyweight once had coils in every line I tryed with it. Older CFOs would also be a nice choice.
Mike

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (jcole) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:57:51 GMT

Thanks for the good suggestions from all, much appreciated. Time to head over to the classified section for a little reel shopping, I guess.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (Cane Head) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:00:34 GMT

Battenkill 3/4 click & pawl from the 90's. Line: peach 444 4WF. The peach 4WF is the only line I'll use on this rod - just love the performance of the two. The feet on the Battenkill 3/4 fit fine. Another simple click & pawl reel that is light and work's great is the old Cortland Climax Epic series of low cost reels. However if the Battenkill or Climax is too cheap for your tastes, then the Hardy Featherweight and the old Hardy Marquis 4 will also fit fine. If you...

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (bobbeegee) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:40:28 GMT

DrakeBob wrote:
Hi John, I use a 444 Peach WF4 on mine. I'm one of those freaks who thinks that Orvis rods built during the plastic line era actually work best with the line that Orvis designated. That's what makes 'em Orvis. Your mileage may vary...

Bob

WF........correct Bob.

bobbyg

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (DrakeBob) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:30:10 GMT

Hi John, I use a 444 Peach WF4 on mine. I'm one of those freaks who thinks that Orvis rods built during the plastic line era actually work best with the line that Orvis designated. That's what makes 'em Orvis. Your mileage may vary...

Bob

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (tedgolden) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:51:08 GMT

I use a Hardy Featherweight with mine. Occasionally a CFO II.

Re: Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (cross creek one) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:59:55 GMT

I've got Orvis rods with that seat and those rings, and I find that Hardy lightweight series reels and other older Hardy reels with the same foot dimensions and slope (Flyweight, Featherweight, vintage CFO's) fit best.
-CC

Reels for Orvis Flea

feeds@yuku.com (jcole) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:17:11 GMT

I have an Orvis Flea 6'6". This is supposed to take a 4 wt, but I have been using it with a 3. It has a very narrow cork reel seat with 2 slide bands. Most of the reels I own don't fit it because the feet are too wide. I have a small Marryat that fits barely (it's what I have been using). A Perfect 2 7/8" (1920's vintage) fits, but seems too heavy. Hardy Flyweights fit, but seem too light and small.

What do other Flea fishers use?

John