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Post 21 Jun 2018, 10:58 • #1 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/04/15
Posts: 631
Location: US-FL
My Fenwick 7'9" 6 wt arrived today. Per the Fenwick website it weighs 3.3 oz. (It sure does feel light!)

Q: what reel?

I'm considering an regular Orvis Battenkill, or a disc drag Battenkill, or maybe some iteration of a Lamson.

What do y'all think? And if I got one of the Battenkills, which size? I saw in a different thread where a gent got a superfine 6 wt package and it came with a Battenkill III, which was widely considered too light to balance it properly, even though Orvis classified that particular Battenkill as the proper reel for that line weight.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 11:15 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 1760
Location: SJC
Congratulations, I love mine. I mostly use it with a CGR II for warmwater species. I like the Cabelas WF6F prestige premier line (half weight heavy) for that kind of thing.

I have a Battenkill III (very light reel) but currently have it spooled for some 5wt rods. I'd be inclined to use my Lamson Konic II if wanted something sealed or with a major drag adjustment. I've also used the new Medalist with a WF6F Airflo trout line on this rod. Not super convinced that balance is a huge deal. I'd guess if you have a Battenkill disc or other Lamson then it would probably be fine.


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 13:00 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
You'll get a lot of suggestions... ;)

Based on similar rods I own and my preference for a classic balance point, my guess would be something in the 3.5 to 4.0 oz range should balance nicely.

Good luck choosing!


Last edited by Bamboozle on 21 Jun 2018, 15:04, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 21 Jun 2018, 13:20 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/16/05
Posts: 2537
Location: Georgia
If you have anything already spooled with a 6 - or a 5, or 7 - I'd put it on, see how it feels to you balance-wise, and go from there.


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 13:21 • #5 
Guide
Joined: 08/25/13
Posts: 151
Location: US-FL
That's a great around rod I've had mine for about a year and a half
My favorite reel for it would be a nautilus x size 5/6 at 275.. shipped with backing and a 80 plus flyline included it's a hard deal to beat .. super smooth retrieval very strong drag and it's held up great to the salt !

2nd choice
Would be older lamson lite speed size 3
I've had several lamson's over the years
The lite speeds have a much better drag
Also great in the salt

I had a orvis battenkill sealed drag size lll great looking reel I would not recommend it for salt use
Fresh water it's a great bang for the buck if your looking for an classic style reel it did sound good and had a great drag as well
ImageImageImage
Another excellent fly reel
The orange one in the pic above is a galvan t4
For a 6wt rod you would want the t6
These reels have the strongest drag I've found
Super smooth and great sounding drag



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Post 21 Jun 2018, 13:24 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 08/25/13
Posts: 151
Location: US-FL
About the lamson lite speed it's a much better drag then the other cheaper lamsons .. is what I ment to say
Cheers an good luck on your new fly reel


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 14:43 • #7 
Guide
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 159
Location: US-Eastern KY
I have the Fenglass 6 wt. and use a Martin 67SSA with a Rio WF6. This balances the setup right at the front of the grip, which I like. Very nice rod. I have the 4 wt. and 5 wt. also and I think these are all great rods, very similar in feel, just more powerful as the line weight goes up. I have yet to try a bass or bug taper on this rod but this is in the future.


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 16:02 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/06/17
Posts: 2498
Location: South of Joplin
If it was mine it would almost certainly carry a Medalist 1494.


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 16:54 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/27/14
Posts: 1501
Location: ON, Canada
Trev wrote:
If it was mine it would almost certainly carry a Medalist 1494.


I’d go 1496 but otherwise yeah.


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 20:13 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/26/12
Posts: 1188
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Fenwicks and Pflueger Medalists were made for each other !

Pecos


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Post 21 Jun 2018, 21:15 • #11 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/28/16
Posts: 930
Location: Northern WI
I don't have the rod you're talking about, but I do have a couple of the older FF786's made in California. They were 7'9'' 5-6 weights and weighed about 3 oz give or take, so almost identical to the weight of your Fenglass. I use an old beat up Hardy LRH on mine with a Peach DT5 line. The whole outfit balances right at my index finger. That being said, just about any reel in the 3.5-4 oz category should be fine. Course that depends on where you like your balance point to be.


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Post 22 Jun 2018, 07:18 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/08/05
Posts: 3570
Location: Western PA
www.harrissportsmail.com has a promotion going on now. Free shipping+ 25% (off total)
For example, you can get a Hardy Marquis LWT 6 for $217. I like the Hardy Ultralite FW DD too. Great light LA reel.


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Post 22 Jun 2018, 15:56 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 10/07/11
Posts: 692
Location: SE MA
I've been using an older Battenkill click & pawl 5/6 on my Fenglass 6 weight.


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Post 22 Jun 2018, 16:24 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
scud dog wrote:
http://www.harrissportsmail.com has a promotion going on now. Free shipping+ 25% (off total)
For example, you can get a Hardy Marquis LWT 6 for $217. I like the Hardy Ultralite FW DD too. Great light LA reel.


Thanks for this scud dog................like I need more temptation man! :D
Really thinking about a 5 or 6 :P


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Post 22 Jun 2018, 19:16 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/08/05
Posts: 3570
Location: Western PA
John, last sale, I grabbed a Hardy glass 805/6. Like I needed another rod. I'm not too mad at myself because I really like the rod. I finally got a Barrio GT90 #5 on it and blamo... it's perfect! I'm making cast like I'm in a tournament or something.
__________________________________
Del Gue, another reel that's nice AND nicely priced, new click pawl Medalist 5/6. Amazon and Walmart both sell them for under list.
BTW, the new Battenkill are nice but they have fat feet. Before you go that route I'll suggest you take your Fenglass to the Orvis store to check it.


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Post 22 Jun 2018, 19:21 • #16 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/04/15
Posts: 631
Location: US-FL
Brother Scud,

I'm gonna gonna head up to Bass Pro tomorrow with the Fenwick. Dunno what all they carry ref Orvis, but I wanna check it kinda. Although I found a pic of a Battenkill III that Brandon had on his 4, although that was using his new reel seat that archfly provided. Also saw where Hotdish referenced using a Battenkill disc on his 8 wt Fenwick. Nothing is off the table at this point.

On another topic, I am seriously contemplating ordering an Echo Small Water glass 4 wt. Contemplating reel for that, too. So as you can see, I am on a bit of a reel quest. :)


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Post 23 Jun 2018, 15:28 • #17 
Guide
Joined: 06/22/14
Posts: 128
Location: MN.
I'll buy that!! Excellent match indeed.


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