My primary fishing reels are 5 Valentine Single Actions in two sizes.
As far as click-checks are concerned, now I only have three: a much loved Hardy LRH & two Scientific Anglers 50th ann. System #5s.
For a good long period of time I fished with lighter 4/5wt outfits, but my circumstances have since changed & I'm finding myself fishing heavier lines & longer rods.
The new Colorado 4/5 that I showed off so proudly (on this thread) barely could hold a shortened 5wt line, with minimal backing capacity. Despite being light, it just looked too large in diameter & clunky on my ********* 806. Not a bad reel, just disappointing for the money.
For more than three decades my Valentine Single Action #83s have given me excellent service for lines up to a WF7F. But, I still needed classically styled, 3.25" standard arbour, click-check reel. Not for collecting, not as an investment,... just for fishing.
It was either to be the latest Hardy Marquis or the USA-made Douglas Argus. Both reels lack the full frame that I prefer, like most CFOs, Abels, Islanders & so forth, both have palming rims that I'm not too crazy about. Both were/are at about the same price point.
Though I've heard some nays about Argus reels , I'm still giving one of them a go for next season. It's good to support a US maker. Even picked up a spare spool.
Initial look(s), with my armchair engineer's hat securely on, the reel looks like a winner. Good sound in & out (much like an old St. Aidan I used to fish.) A solid, "Martin-like" helical spring click-check system slows down the spool.
Time will tell how well this 3.23" reel performs. 2022 Springtime, that is. A peek inside will follow as time allows.