What do other Flea fishers use?
John
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jcole |
Reels for Orvis Flea |
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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 |
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DrakeBob |
#1 | |||
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I also have the two sliding bands version and like a Hardy Featherweight on mine.
Piscator Non Solum Piscatur
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jcole |
#2 | |||
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Thanks, I have been thinking it would probably want some kind of Hardy.
What line do you use with it? John |
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Eric Peper |
#3 | |||
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I fish a Marquis 5 on a similar rod, and I suspect that would fit on the Flea seat.
EP |
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Flyman615 |
#4 | |||
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In addition to the aforementioned Hardy Featherweight, I also use a Peerless 1A on my Orvis 6'6" Special.
Best regards,
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Finn |
#5 | |||
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I just got one and have used a 3" Bougle and a 3" Farlowe Saphire. Both work but are a bit light. I will try a Battenkill 3/4 over the weekend.
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cross creek one |
#6 | |||
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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 |
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tedgolden |
#7 | |||
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I use a Hardy Featherweight with mine. Occasionally a CFO II.
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DrakeBob |
#8 | |||
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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
Piscator Non Solum Piscatur
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bobbeegee |
#9 | |||
DrakeBob wrote: WF........correct Bob. bobbyg Go Heels!!! |
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Cane Head |
#10 | |||
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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 feel the reelseat/grip design is too small for your hand, mount the reel as far back on the reelseat as possible. I let the end of the
reel foot nestle against the back flare of the cork reelseat - I then have extra room for my hand with the back of my hand riding on top of the reel seat.
With a 6 1/2' 2oz rod - you don't really need to consider reel weight - unless you're looking at 6oz or heavier reels. I think a heavy reel defeats the shear enjoyment of a super light cane like the Flea or the 2 oz 6 1/2' Deluxe. I even use the Battenkill 3/4 on my Deluxe. Personally I think rod balance isn't even a consideration in this length and weight class of rods. Cane |
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jcole |
#11 | |||
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Thanks for the good suggestions from all, much appreciated. Time to head over to the classified section for a little reel shopping, I guess.
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mtn |
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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 |
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Greg Reynolds |
#13 | |||
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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.
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hopkintoncane |
Old School Battenkill II or III | #14 | ||
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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
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jz2 |
#15 | |||
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I like my st george jr on mine.
set up with 3 wt. |
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Finn |
#16 | |||
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How does the flea cast the 3 wt?
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nwdlj |
#17 | |||
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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
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Shoeless Joe |
#18 | |||
tedgolden wrote: Though there are many, many reels that would do your Flea proud, there's just something special about the CFO II ...
If you never flew why would you cut the wings off a butterfly? ~ 'Lying in the Hands of God', by Dave Matthews |
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jz2 |
#19 | |||
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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.
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jcole |
#20 | |||
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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. |
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