opinions on reels!
 

anybody have an opinion on any of the following reels:

nautilus FWX

Hardy Featherweight

or any other reel for a 3wt that's about 3-3.4 oz?

I'm thinking about buying an orvis access and want a super light reel to go with it.

The hardy's are not very well made (made in Asia now), not worth the $!!

The Nautalis would be my pick! Abel and Galvan are worth considering, as well (made in the USA)

abels are fairly heavy aren't they?

I just looked at the new galvan brookie, that thing might be worth trying out!

Love my Hardy but my Bro just picked up the Orvis CEO. Great little reel for the money. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=61Y9

The Korean Hardys are just fine.

Norm, who works at Cabalas in Edmonton had some of his tool and die-maker friends measure the tolerances on these Korean Hardys. The measurements are better than the old English reels and the metal is not inferior in any manner.

Why? The Koreans are about 15 years ahead of North America in computer machining operations. The post machining "on hand labour" is also quite cheap.

If you want the full story phone Norm at Cabalas in Edmonton

I have three of the Korean built Hardys and they are flawless. They are of better quality than reels costing twice as much or more. At just over $200 they are by far the best value out there.

I would be interested to know what you are basing your opinion on.

I have been putting this little 3000 through some nasty conditions since early spring. I have landed upward of 30 Browns over 20 inches without a hint of issue. The drag starts smooth and protects even 6 and 7x tippet. I especially like the attention to detail in the machining. The tolerances are tight and when you tighten the spool nut the logo comes up perfectly level.

[IMG]http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/...ps986fc08d.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/...ps038a7e46.jpg[/IMG]

I was so impressed with this one I replaced a reel costing nearly double on my Z-Axis as well. I haven't used it nearly as much but so far it is perfect.

[IMG]http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8ca0f31f.jpg[/IMG]

They look great, work great and balance the modern rods perfectly. Hardy has a reputation of excellent customer service and wear parts are readily available at a reasonable cost. I am not really sure what more you could ask for in a reel.

The Abel Creek1 is just a wee bit heavier then what you asked for @ 3.8oz,but a nice lil reel for 2-4wts just the same.I had every intention last month of ordering a semi-custom AC1 for my 3wt(color to match rod blank) but then just before i pulled the trigger on the Abel I found a Hardy Marquis 4 with extra spool at a great price and snapped it up.

IslanderIR2

Islander and hardy are both great choices, well built and great fish stoppers.

For a super-smooth, light weight reel, my vote goes to the Litespeed. One of my favs.

http://waterworks-lamson.com/products/lamson-litespeed/

The LS1 runs at 3.4 oz.

For quality and great durability go with a loop opti creek. Bomb proof reels.

If you want to protect tippet at all costs. Danielsson original, in either then midge size or the nymph size. I have one and the reel has the smoothest start up I have ever felt.

My 2 cents.

One word.... Pflugie!

My best fishing buddy has a Hardy UL and barely dinged it (I was there) and bent the frame, now it's pooched! I have abused my Galvans & Bauers (and he his Islanders) and they are still going strong!!

pflugie!!!!!

Can't go wrong with that,I was on the fence between the IR2 and the Abel AC1,if only the IR2 came in an LA model I'd have had one but decided I wanted the AC1 LA........then that Marquis 4 came along with spare spool,price too good to refuse,so ended up with a standard arbor anyhow in the end,DOH!
But wutda eff....it's a Hardy! ;)
Not quite a "rare" Hardy(yet?) but getting harder to come by,and lotsa time to buy Abels n Islanders in the future.

really my opinion
 

have used FWX and liked it on 4 weight as dry fly setup on the Bow. Have since switched to a Waterworks Force SL

3 weight - if you can find a Waterworks Purist used, they are awesome. Pretty expensive new. Used ones come onto eBay once in a while.
No drag, so you have to use your palm on the spool, but that makes me feel like I know what I'm doing.

Guys I fish with will tell you otherwise, though.