3 Weight Rod/Reel Suggestions

Flying Dutchman · Senior Member

3 Weight Rod/Reel Suggestions

SCM · Senior Member

I have a Galvan OB-4 on a 5 wt and Galvan T-8 on my Steelhead rod, both bought used. Both reels have performed flawlessly. I don't think you go can go wrong with a Galvan or the Ross Evolution. I recently bought another 5wt rod and am looking to get another reel. I have narrowed my choices to three reels: Galvan T-5, Ross Evolution 2, or the Bauer MSL 2. The Bauer reel is interesting since it has a star shaped drag adjustment knob (center pin style) on the handle side of the spool, which allows adjustment without switching hands while fighting a fish. In any case whichever reel I find first in excellent used condition or new at an unbeatable deal will be the winner.

JT · Senior Member

Check out the Teton Tioga #4.� The regular arbor�and the large arbor spool�will fit the same frame, so you can use what fits your needs.� The reel is pretty much indestructible and has a reasonable price tag.� Mine has hauled in some beasts.

viking · Veteran Member

Dutchman, You might consider The Galvan R-4. This is a fantastic reel for the money( I have one and also an R-5) and will set you back less than 200.bucks. My buddy owns a fly shop and When I was ready to spend a lot more on a Torque, he set the R-4 on the counter next to the Torque and said that the Rush�is mechanically the same reel.�Same drag, same Galvan quality. The differences are in the cosmetics ( I actually favor the Rush's stealth black ) and a slight difference in weight. For use as a 3wt only, you'll love the R-3. But If you plan to use it for a 4wt as well, I think the R-4 would be your best bet(backing). Let us know what you decide. Good Luck, Viking�

viking · Veteran Member

Dutchman, I forgot to mention that the spools on The Galvan Torque and Rush are interchangable, so if you prefer the Torque in the complete reel, you can save money on a Rush spool. I actually did the reverse. I was at my buddy's shop one day and wanted to but a spare spool for my R-4. He was out of stock, but offered me a Torque�spool for the same price. After what must have been 10 or 11 nanoseconds of consideration, I slapped down the cash. I�have a couple of Evolutions, a Lamson Litespeed, a couple of Galvan Standards..... The Rush series are really nice reels for the money. See You, Viking��

dtp916 · Senior Member

We all have our own favorites....

�Question is, how much do you want to spend, do you want a drag, do you want it to be loud or quiet, do you want small, mid, or large arbor?

For a 3 wt I'd get a click and pawl style: Abel Creek, Hardy Marksman, Orvis CFO, Sage 3200, etc.

W/ drags: Ross Evo, Rythym, Gunnison, Galvan Torque T-3, Sage 2540,

I could go on...just get one you like and make sure it comes with a good (preferably lifetime) warranty.

Packrat · Senior Member

I'm a fan of the Teton/Tioga reels. I have a #4 on my 8 foot 3wt Redington RS3 and it's been a great combo. I have about 4 other Tioga's in other sizes too. The price is right and you can find great deals on them on ebay brand new.

shon42073 · Senior Member

Every indeed has there own opinion, So i'll state mine as well, Abel reels rock !

Flying Dutchman · Senior Member

Thanks for the responses! I went to the shop today to help narrow my search.

Viking, the Galvan R-4 is exactly as you stated--Not that I didn't believe, just didn't know until your reply. Thanks. Extremely nice reel and better price than the Torque.

I have yet to handle the Tioga reels, only seen in Cabela's/on-line and your responses. Yes, the price is very reasonable and I will check into ebay...All of the different Tioga reels between JT and Packrat certainly means something!

dtp916, you must work or have worked behind the counter somewhere?! You want to know the needs of a customer...Between $120-$280, quiet (my current reel for my 3 weight is too noisy--I spend the time stalking a fish only to feel like I might scare them away pulling line!), and just the right fit/flexibility for a 7'6" 3 weight and a 9' 4 weight. Not too much overkill for a 3, but enough backing for a 4 weight. Smooth drag highly preferred! Any recommendations from your list?

The Galvan OB-2-love the drag. Yet, only allows for 50 yds. backing of 20 pd. for 4 weight while the Ross Evo 1.5 is listed for 100 yds. backing for a 4 weight. Does only 50 yds. of backing send up a warning signal to anyone??? Top end of my desired spending limit!!!

Thanks again for helping me think this through. If there is anymore advice or suggestions, please let me know. I don't want to spend until I'm certain I fully know what is out there.

JT · Senior Member

I was just thinking.� It's funny that we all want a reel that holds�tons of backing, but how often do�we see our backing, especially when fishing a�3wt or 4wt?��I've only seen my backing twice on Putah, but I have 100 yards of backing on my 3wt (just in case).� �

Flying Dutchman · Senior Member

JT, that was my thought...only once at Amador on my 6 weight. I have yet seen any backing on the rivers that I fish. Yet, what if...? Just checked out Tioga website. Very impressive. Company headquarters not too far away. The price is very reasonable. Thanks again.

Chris Laskodi · Veteran Member

If you don't like the loud noises made by reels throw out the click and pawl type reels and go with a disc drag.

On a three weight I personally use a click and pawl type drag because they are noticeably lighter than a disc drag. I hardly ever use the drag on a 3 wt as you shouldn't be fighting fish that are much more than 12-14" with a 3 wt for risk of breakage.

Downside of click and pawl type reels is that the drag isn't nearly as strong as a disc, but like I said, on a 3 wt, your not going to be fighting huge fish.

I'd go with the smallest reel I can get by with. I usually downsize my reels because I don't think I really need 150 yds of backing on a 6wt. 50 yds should be plenty if you are using your 3 wt on small streams and such.

If you plan on using the reel with a 4 wt line as well then go to the bigger reel, but I'd say the Evo 1.5 is way too big for a 3 wt.

For click and pawl type reels, I really like the Sage 3000 series. But they are pricey, the 3100 is $280 at retail.

For disc drag I'd look at the Ross. If you don't want to spend for the Evo, check out the Rhythm, almost the same reel as the Evo just a tad heavier. The Ross reels are a lot lighter than the Galvans.

When fishing a small rod like your 3 wt, I think it's a lot more fun with an ultralight reel as it makes the rod feel even more noodly.

Also check out Marryat reels, they are Swiss-made and are really light. The Baby 2 reel weighs 3.0 oz in the 3-4 size.

-- Edited by Chris Laskodi at 23:22, 2008-01-07

JT · Senior Member

Wow, you shouldn't be using a 3wt for fish bigger than 12-14"?� I guess I've been doing a lot of gambling lately.� I landed a 22" rainbow the other day on my 3wt.�

Chris Laskodi · Veteran Member

A 3 weight rod isn't designed to handle the load of a 22" fish, sure it can 90% of the time. But it only takes one break to realize that you may not be using the proper equipment. Not saying that it can't be done, but thats not what the equipment is designed for.

I know you're very experienced so you know the limitations of a 3 wt, but a 3 wt is most likely to be used on smaller streams and creeks that aren't more than 15-20 feet across.

Most of the 18"+ fish this time of year are logs anyways because of the spawn and you could probably land some of them with a stick and string. Thats at least what I've been experiencing lately.

shon42073 · Senior Member

The great thing about fly fishing is everyone has different opinions and different ideas on what to use, how to use it, etc. Know body is right or wrong. If One chooses to use a 3 weight rod to try and catch large fish then more power to ya, If someone else thinks this is wrong, Well more power to ya.� Buy the way I like nice LOUD clickers on my reels, When that 20 incher makes a screaming run i wanna hear that clicker screaming biggrin

. I've been looking at a TFO 2 weight rod, Pretty cool 7 footer, For some fast action on small sierra fish, Anything over 4 weight is overkill up there.

JT · Senior Member

I use my 3wt when the flows are low.� The rod seems to be able to handle big fish, but I don't think it would hold up to a big fish in fast water.� I hooked an absolute monster a few weeks ago that had me a little worried.� The fish was HOT!� The bend of the rod protected my tippet for a couple of minutes, but not long enough.

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

I agree with you captain, just like when Brian was using his 8wt for those 8-12 inch putah trout.lol, that was hilarious.

brian clemens · Senior Member

hey thats all i had at the time, i didnt know anybetter, but ya it was funny, i quickly learned to get a 6wt or 5wt. and i got both withint 2 weeks, and have loved them ever since

SCM · Senior Member

I have to agree with Captain, I love the sound of fish burning line off a reel. However, I don't like a strong click on the retrieve which is why the Galvans' are nice (light click out/quiet in). With respect to backing capacity, in my opinion I actually like a larger (large arbor) reel. While most trout fishing situations you will never go into your backing, the extra backing (again my opinion) helps reduce memory (coiling) in the fly line.

I didn't mention in my original post, but in addition to my Galvan reels I have a Teton Standard 4. I didn't want to give away that I am somewhat of a fly equipment Ho (much the same with golf clubs too). Anyway, the Teton is a well built reel, with a full cage construction. However, since it has such a small spool diameter and backing capacity the fly line wraps rather tightly....so you get a lot of line memory when the fly line comes off the reel. I have the Teton matched to a 7'-6" 3/4w bamboo rod, which so far is a great combination.

As far as 3-weights go, I have been told that today's blank materials are much stronger than older graphite and fiberglass rods. So for instance today's 5-weight rods are just as strong as an older 6-weight class rod. As such, I would suspect a modern 3-weight is plenty strong to muscle in some of the larger trout at Putah. In any case, if you bust a rod on a fish it is more than likely covered by a warranty and you get one hell of good story!

dtp916 · Senior Member

Flying Dutchman:

I would stick with Ross if you like a quieter reel. The Rythym is very nice and would be first choice if you don't want to go to the Evo. Personally, I think the Cimarron 1 ($150) or CLA 1 ($165) will do a fine job, and it has a silky smooth drag. The original Cimarron is actually .2 oz lighter than its mid-arbor hybrid CLA.

If you want to go lighter, the Lamson LitespeedHard Alox is so sweet. The finish keeps it from getting scratched up and its 3.55 oz in the Litespeed 1 model ($269). It has a very quiet drag and fast line pick up of a true large arbor. The Velocity Hard Alox 1 ($219) is a tad bit heavier, but has the same coating and an easier drag knob. Sweet design again. The Hard Alox models have an odd color, but if you can get past that (or if you don't care) it is an awesome reel.

The Bauer M .5SL or MacKenzie SuperLite .5, is only 3.6 oz, comes in a variety of colors, has a cork disc drag (that is what Abel uses), a quieter sound, and has the drag on the same side as the handle so easy adjustments can be made with the fish on. $275.

Check them out. Play with them at the shop and see which one you like the best - its all preference. And don't worry about backing capacity - 1) Its a 3 weight and 2) 50 yards is 150 ft, most flylines are 90 ft or less...

3 wts will land big fish and I use mine every chance I get. 22" browns on 6x flouro and #20 S&M nymph, my Hardy screamed the whole time biggrin

:

My buddy catches delta stripers and Miami pea**** bass on his 3wt. Throwing a 300 grain sink tip and a deep clouser minnow. (In case you guys don't know your grains, 300 is meant roughly for an 8wt rod, 8-10" sec sink rate). I think he's insane.

�Good luck, Flying Dutchman!

Chris Laskodi · Veteran Member

That's a really nice brown. My point isn't that a 3 wt can't land a 20" + fish. But most of the fish you land on a 3 wt are the 12-14" variety. I've done the same with a 4 wt in AK. I landed about a 26" and then about ten minutes later I hooked an even bigger fish and I felt way undergunned. From that point on I switched to a heavier weight rod for fear of losing that fish of a lifetime.

My dad also did the same with a 6 wt on a silver salmon and sockeye salmon. Snapped the rods right in half bringing it up onto the bank, he was rather upset. Those fish weren't more than 7-8 lbs and they made a 6 wt break like a stick.

James, your buddy should put electrical tape on the ferrules to prevent them from slipping because if any of the ferrules slip the rod will snap because of the amount of overloading he is doing to the rod. I do that to my spey rod to prevent the same thing.

JT · Senior Member

Nice fish, dtp916.

dtp916 · Senior Member

JT - Thanks, buddy.

Chris - I agree that you may be undergunned with a 3wt on Putah in some situations, most likely high water/ summer flow. But I think the full flex really helps out on protecting light tippets. And your crazy for fishing a 4 wt in AK, that is nutty stuff. Maybe throwin dries for grayling but no way for rainbows up around 26". I have heard sockeyes are a blast on a 6wt. Silvers would smoke you IMO, but you gotta be careful when you get them in close, thats when break offs or broken rods usually happen.

yukon mike · Senior Member

All last summer I used a Winston Boron IIX (not the IIt, it's a bit noodly) with a Galvan
standard arbor 2.75 inch reel. I also use that thing all over the Sierras during the summer.
I have slipped and fallen on the rocks, chewed up stuff royally. I like it even better the more chewed up it gets. The reels made by Boni Galvan (originally from Dixon) are extremely durable, and if you ever have a problem with it, you send it back to him, and lately he just tosses the sucker and sends you a brand new one. Absolutely a first class guy, and a great reel maker. Lately, I have been fishing on the Trinity River with a new 8 wt using a Torque t-8 4 inch reel that has been a dream to use, fishing for Steelhead in the snow. I want a little 3 inch for Putah. If you bought
the R-4 (Galvan Rush) you will be happy. I have used an R-10 on my spey rod for a few years
and it is bombproof.

Mike

-- Edited by yukon mike at 02:01, 2008-01-09

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

I'm with Yukon,I have been using Galvan exclusively for the last 5 or so years and I love them all.I have an array of OB 3 and 4's and also the Torque series reels and it's a great faminly run operation.

brian clemens · Senior Member

hey dtp916 you friend wouldnt happen to be al from american fly fishing would it. if it is he is one bad as fly man

shon42073 · Senior Member

I'm stickin to my guns here, Abel reels are were it's at biggrin

. That is a nice brown dtp, Thats also a nice looking chest pack, What kind is it ? I'm looking to get a new one soon.

dtp916 · Senior Member

brian clemens wrote:

hey dtp916 you friend wouldnt happen to be al from american fly fishing would it. if it is he is one bad as fly man

That's the man, Al Bunch. Great guy too and a serious BIIx and striper lover. He and my other buddy Mike got me hooked on Winston, specifically the BIIx, but I love them all now smile

....we all own the BIIx 3 wt biggrin

Cap'n: It is a fishpond High Country Tech Pack. Carries so much stuff. Has a 52 oz. camelback style water bladder, built in fly box, detechment straps to just wear chest part, totally adjustable, nice lining for hot days. Only problem is with more pockets (on a vest) or more space, you can always find stuff to put in it.

�

-- Edited by dtp916 at 20:48, 2008-01-10

Flying Dutchman · Senior Member

After reading your posts and checking into/trying out a number of different reels, I finally made a decision, Galvan R-3.� My original question (a three/four weight reel for my new three weight rod to possibly use in combination with my four weight Sage) was easily answered when SierraAnglers Fly Shop offered a tremendous price on a highly recommended reel.� I did try the R-4, but it was too much for the little rod.� Even though I will only have a small amount of backing with a four weight line (if I ever use that configuration), I'm extremely happy with the R-3 and my Echo 3 weight.� I certainly can't wait to use it this summer in the Sierra!� Thanks again for all of your help in my selection.

-- Edited by Flying Dutchman at 19:30, 2008-01-16