You could use a 1498 Pflueger Medalist.You can put lead shot inside the spool if it isn't heavy enough.You could also load some leadcore line underneath the backing.I would prefer the leadcore line option.If you went the Medalist route you can go crazy and install some One Pfoot after market parts.

Grassnglass has 2 Cortland CLX 4 cassette fly reels on the fiberglass fly rods for sale page.I had one of these and they are definitely a large reel.

the obvious choice is Martin - their big "wedding cake" disc drag reels including the M72 multiplier.
Some of these have big line capacity - SD series.

A Billy Pate in a large line size will also have the weight you need.

4" JW Young - any salmon sized reel, but I'm thinking if you want an 11-wt, it's either for baby tarpon or king salmon.

There's a 4" Milward Flymaster listed on former Clark's board classifieds currently

How vintage? A Fin-Nor No. 3 or 4 would be nice.

I think the others have covered the good blue collar varieties.

* Martin Disk Drag (MG10, M72)
* South Bend Finalist (the big, heavy one)
* Medalist 1498 with a layer of lead core trolling line underneath the backing.

Did Ocean City make a bigger version of the 77?
If you are going to use a modern 11 weight line, you may have a bigger issue with line capacity than weight. Vintage lines were thinner than a lot of the newer lines and it seems to really set in on larger reels.

According to the person selling the Cortland CLX IV,they weigh 8.95 ounces with the line and backing.I believe it.They are bigger in diameter than a 1498 and wider.

Im not sure but I think the original S/A System 2 came in a 10/11 weight and it would also be a monster.

Stonefly,

I screwed up my listing for the CLX 4. With Line and backing it actually weighs 11.9 ozs and is 4.0" Diameter.

In my haste to copy and paste I put the wt and diameter of reels I previously had listed simultaneously with these reels. My apologies.

Also, which Shakespeare is he talking about. If a Wonderod, I sold one last year in VG+ condition and in the tube for $45. Had several heavy ones with no tube I couldn't get $35 out of at several large fishing shows. They are a little heavy, but will throw a whole line with no problem and I really like them.. Personally I couldn't understand putting more than a hundred buck reel on this rod. But, to each his own.

Sorry about the screw up on weight and width.

Barry

P.S....If I was going to spend a bunch for heavy reel for this rod I'd go with a big Hardy Perfect, unless fishing saltwater. But I did notice the poster shows living in Minnesota and not much salt there.

This is a question that I've thought about quite often and I've never resolved it in my own mind. In balancing a heavy outfit, I'd probably chose to error on the side of comfort.
I'll throw out another, the Valentine 375 or the 400. I've been using them for almost 40 years on my glass 9wt and 10wt rods( Winston and Fisher rods) for Salmon/Steelhead fishing and my Striper/surf fishing on the West Coast. A reel with a very good drag system, a very good anodized finish that is fairly light. I am not exactly certain of it's weight but it is lighter than my Young 4" wide Beaux's. Not exactly a "heavy weight" but why exhaust yourself fighting all the weight, the rod alone will do it if your fishing any length of time.
Respectfully rvreclus

I just finished a Pflueger 1498 Medalist DA to go on a 9 1/2' bamboo rod. The reel weighed dead-on 8 ozs. empty. With 50 yards of Mason 27 lb. lead core trolling line, 100 yards of 30 lb. dacron backing and a WF7F line it weighs 14 ozs.

Rob, the original poster got in touch with me through the Classic Fly Rod Forum. Says he can still read messages here, but for some reason he has been locked out of this forum and can't sign in.

Barry

Only thing I would like to caution on the Young Salmon size reels is watch out for the foot size.

I picked one up and carried it around with me for years, but never able to find a rod to use it on because foot was so large.

Finally, met Bill Franke at a fishing show up in the Catskills and he replaced the foot for me. I'm guessing new owner of pfoote can do the same, but factor that into the cost of the reel.

Barry

Good, searcher. If you know Young reels, you may also like them in the Shakespeare branded versions. There is probably one in "salmon" size. Grassnglass makes a point to consider about some of the older ones; pretty sure that the 1540 has a foot that fits most seats. Probably a Young click would scream so loud it would drown out the hissing sound of the line when a big pike blisters across the pond.

Whatever you pick, stop back with the outcome and some fishing reports.