on the cheap end, Abu Diplomat fly reels are silent retrieve, and can easily be set for silent outgoing as well.
Not made anymore but probably can find them on auction site..
I have the 278, 368, and 256, like them a lot.
Pics here,
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7182
reel papers in this thread.
viewtopic.php?p=160183#p160183

Cheers for all the recommendations

the hardy ultralite fwdd looks good as well , nice and light and a nice design but i don't know how quiet they are, or if they can be quietened if they are loud...

Still haven't found a reel, just wondered if anyone has used a cantata reel made in japan and whether or not you can remove the clickers?
Quite tempted to order one anyway if they are good reels, they look nice and not too expensive, just have to see about import tax. Nearly got a Marryat but it just went a bit expensive for me, they look great as well and apparently easy to take out the clicker, there aren't any more for sale in the size I'd want at the moment though.

cheers
matt

There's always the Pezon Michel "Silent Reel".

a retro choice:
Johnson 'Magnetic'

Good for you!

The Valentine Single action #76 & # 83 reels have a quiet "put-put" in the "in" direction & a silent out. I've used these sturdy reels for more than 35 years, enjoying the quiet while fighting fish or when I'm stripping line.
While I love the iconic "click" sound of my Hardy LRH or my Scientific Anglers System #5 reels (Hardy made), I also value the silent out of my Valentine work horses.

My only nod to modernity in reels is a Tibor Light, a mid-arbour reel. The clutch pins, the drag surface & the out-going click ball bearings are all contained in a compact drum. Removal or installation of this component is a breeze, just slide it off.
I have ordered an additional drag drum from Tibor Reels in Fla. With the two "out-going click" ball bearings + springs removed, the reel becomes silent on the out & a click cranking in, just like my Valentines.

Twins separated at birth...this one's a ********* 8'9" 5 wt with a Danielsson Dry Fly

Anyone know whether the Marryat CMR reels can be converted to silent? As I understand it the MR version can be
thanks
matt

Finally got round to buying a new reel, Danielsson nymph. Won't be using it for a while but first impressions of it are good. Nice and light for the diameter. Not 'silent' but a bit of noise of the bearings, I'd guess this is even quieter with a line on. I really like the design of the central tension screw.

A second for the ABU by Garcia or Zebco. Both good choices for silent incoming.

Les

With reference to my earlier post # 39, I can now post a picture of a 3" Valentine Single Action # 76 reel which is silent while stripping or when fish is running. The Single Actions have Teflon/stainless steel/Delrin disc brakes.
Cranking in, you get a Pflueger-ish "put-put".


The next size of Valentine Single Action reel is the 3.25" diameter # 83. These are my DT5F or WF6F reels. I've even used a # 83 with an abbreviated WF7F line.
The # 76 & # 83 reels share most mechanical parts, except for their frames, spool flanges & stripping guides.

These reels are considered "Pfluegers on steroids" by bulldog.