I'm finishing up my first fly rod build. Its a temple fork professional series blank in a 9wt and I need to get a reel now. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this reel. I'm looking for something thats less than $100 bucks, but I also don't want to buy a crap reel.

What do you guys think?

I'm in the same boat. You didn't say what you were using it for. Salt resistant cork drag vs sealed drag for Steelhead? I haven't used the RLS, but judging from the description, reviews, and $80 price tag with free shipping, it looks like a good deal.

Why don't mfg disclose that their reels are sealed drags? A reviewer said it was.
Other lower priced options that seem to be highly recommended, $119 Lamson Konic or an Orvis Mid Arbor $160. A machined reel with a sealed drag seems to rare under $100.

Haven't used that reel, but for a couple other options in the same price range (and cheaper priced) check out either of these. I have a couple of these and they are really good for the price and have a heck of a good drag on them http://cgi.ebay.com/OKUMA-SLV-5-6-Fly-Reel...=item1c0d8f5f3f

I also have a Trion and it's a great reel as well at the same price as the Cabelas reel http://cgi.ebay.com/PFLUEGER-TRION-1956-Fl...=item563bd88289


Steve

I'm going use it mostly for larger northern and hopefully some steelhead fishing. I'll check out those other reels too. Thanks!

I don't know if it's in the capacity you want, but I've seen the Gatti reels that Brian (Rovercat) sells and they're real good looking for the price.
Gnossos

When it comes to reels, you have to remember that someone else builds the reels and slaps different names on them. Cabelas has other companies making the reels and then placing their name on it and will most times sell for cheaper than the the original company reel
The Cabelas prestege reel was a Okuma
I think that the RLS reel is a Ross. I have to check with the guys in the fly shop to make sure.

Steve is on the right track on the Okuma SLV reels. Got a few and they work great. Check out Redington, as they have neat reels and inexpensive. Again Cabelas three forks is the same as one of the Redington models. I have both and they tear down the same and are interchangeable. Now Redington has one model(cant remember the names) that is graphite and the other is machined aluminum. I think the aluminum is the surge.

Good luck on your search

Randy

Thanks. I found this reel as well. Allen & Co.. ADK- According to their site that Allen reel is a carbon sealed disc drag. Its a bit more expensive but it looks nice.

Almost looks like the one Anglers Resource sells on ebay

The Allen & Co. reel is from the same basic manufacture that I get my reels from. I have not seen this one but it looks to be the same basic design and would more than likely be a good buy.

As to who actually makes them is a good question. Does each manufacture in Chine make the same style or are they made in one plant the the so called manufacture is only a distribution point.

Brian

love my lamson konic all the drag you could want and sealed definately has my vote but my okuma is good too

I found this guy too. It's only an 8 weight. What do you think. Would that be ok to slap on my 9 weight rod, I'm interested in lining up to a 10 wt line too. I'm thinking maybe this reel is a little small.

That's pretty much the same reel myself & Brian were getting in awhile back. It's a really good reel and the drag on those are extremely nice for the price. I think it would work good for ya.

Steve

I own a RLS 5wt. Its a nice reel, but its very heavy. Everything about it is well done, nice finish, nice drag etc. The only thing I don't like about it is the weight. It is very heavy.

Ok, now that I have a reel picked out I need a line. I'm looking for something that can throw bulky flies and deal with decent winds. I'm running out of budget for this darn rod so I'd like to keep it under 50 bucks. Any suggestions?

Well ... I don't think you can beat these folks for quality and or price but then I'm biased and Scottish ...

Dorber Flylines