Thread: auto fly reels / garbage

Originally Posted by ausable riverboat

On automatic reels fish 4 all said the magic word "PURIST" . I have lived on the Ausable River for over 30 years and have whitnessed it go from being able to fish with any kind of tackle to no kill, flies only, catch and release. The purist fly fishers have gott most if not all the best trout rivers changed to flys only and a lot to catch and release. I live down stream from a lodge that has an Orvis shop the purist have all the latest gear my wife calls them orvis wantabees. I watch them from my chair in the living room They can't cast and 99.9% of them couldn't catch a fish if it was in a barrel.That said I will use my automatic reel and my old fiberglass fly rods to catch gills and eat them.

I hear ya, I grew up using a glass rod with a Martin reel fishing wet flies and streamers on the West branch of the Delaware. Cought alot more than the city folk who were spending $$$ for there Lenards & Orvis. Never did tell them that the really big browns were nocturnal and you old need about 10 ft. of line out with a beat up old streamer

I hope that anybody claiming to be a purist is using a cane pole with hand weaved line, a bone hook with some deer hair and a feather hand wrapped on and no reel. Oh, and you have to get there by walking, or horseback...Because at one time that is all there was.

Back to the question try a Flueger model 1195 I use this for gills, it,s what I was learned on.

I grew up on the sound, with a boat docked in the back yard. When I was a kid, back in the early 70's, my buddy gave me a Martin automatic reel. I had never seen an automatic reel before. I had been using just a regular reel. I remember they worked great. It was used when he gave it to me. I used it for about 10 years, until the spring give out. I went back to my regular reel.
Just recently,on Ebay, I saw the one in the picture, in pristine condition, with box and instructions. Never been used. Made in USA. There were bids up to $35, with a Buy now of $45. I wasn't going to wait. Im into motorcycles, expensive rc gas boats, but finding this realy excited me. Some dont like them. My guess is, you dont know how to set them up, or use them correctly. The right time of day, the right fly, I get the catch to the boat or to the shore. How the line gets on the reel is secondary to me. I love them. The Martin 49A, and my Pflueger I use.

Couple of really nice reels. That was a buy on that Martin.

Originally Posted by cray

Couple of really nice reels. That was a buy on that Martin.

When did Martin stop making this reel. Or stop production in New York.

Reading some of these threads it's just like a lot of other ones. Everyone has their opinion on which is better. I use an automatic reel (Martin). I mainly fish for bluegill with it and rarely do I reel the fish in. The only time I do reel in is to take up the slack lying in the bottom of the boat. My wifes Grandfather had an old Martin and it still works great.

Great Reading through this thread! A lot of great responses and education of history, care, use and upkeep of a simple reel! What this thread does more then educate about the reel, is it proves that the best of anything can be a thorn for some and a rose for others! I don't care if its the most expensive gear money can buy, Uneducated and unpracticed persons will tend to be less satisfied in its use!
The same holds true for rods as well as any type of "line keeping" equipment, no matter if fly rod, spin rod, bait caster or a stick and string!!! Go figure! Some will like it... others go hungry for their own intolerance for taking time to learn!
We can substitute anything into this thread.... the rod, reel, line, fly, lure, crap.... add your boat, motor, paddle, or coon hound!
Thank you all who took the time to explore and then lend support to those wanting to learn! And for those who were not able to master the task..... take a deep breath.... smile and watch.... I'd be much more likely to take time to show you the tricks!
Fish to breath a calmer pace.... breath to fish another day!
Carry the history to the next generation, that yet a better day comes to those still breathing!
You all have fun!