Definitely opening a can of worms here but….
I’ve been hunting a long time for a decent trout reel.
Can’t find one. Ok I found two but they were damned expensive.
Here’s the rub, literally.
In under a minute, I passed a finger along every one of the reels displayed in the Glasgow angling centre. (other angling shops have been tried)
Almost every reel, bar one had a razor, sharp or right angled edge to the rim.
Now, I reckon a reel has a primary function. To hold line and hold it lovingly.
An angling friend had always complained of cracked lines but I’ve never had a problem. I always maintained it was his crappy reels. Mine had a lovely little cage on the rim with rounded chrome guides. Had it since I was a lad and it must have been cheap.
He says otherwise, blaming it on trampling lines.
However I Mexican hat dance on my lines frequently so I don’t agree.
I was forced recently to buy a new reel and finally bit the bullet on an open cage reel from a famous name. I wasn’t happy with the rim edge, but it was the best of an affordable lot.
Result - four new lines purchased within the season - all badly cracked.
Now I know this is a result of stripping line across the edge of the rim.
It was suggested I should stop doing this and change my technique.
Eh… naw!
So other than a Hardy Bougle (Agate ring)and a Vosseler I found which was OK…
Can anyone explain why alleged pinnacles of reel engineering, have such a crappy build to the rim….. to sell more lines eh?
Can anyone recommend a reel with a rounded cage or lovely rolled edge to the rim - I’ve never found one.
Cheers