Hi guys, one for the fly fishers out there. I'm diversifying and doing my own fly rod. I've decided to match it to a Pflueger Trion 5/6. The recommendations and advice on the reel have been very promising, and has prompted me to ask a few questions.

What's the drag and drag material like?
The reel will be used in FW and SW, going UL most of the time for small GT's (to 5 lbs) and Indo-Pacific tarpon (up to about 10 lbs.) Going with a 5 wt line, but looking to increase my backing capacity with braided line. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Ted..

9' rod? Go with the 7/8 and you'll have all the backing you need, and up at a diameter that will do you more good. It'll also balance better on a longer rod.

These are super nice reels, sold under a variety of names but at higher prices than what Pflueger gets for them. One way clutch, synthetic drag (very smooth and low start up inertia).

The new President series is same reel but built on a wider frame and spool. The wider spool means that the drag pressure won't increase as fast as the line peels off because the overall diameter won't be dropping as fast.


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Thanks for that Tom. I figured it had the synthetic drag. My rod's only 7'6". Short line casting most of the time. I like the feel of the shorter rod better, and the I have a bum shoulder. Picking up the fluff stick after a VERY long absence. Am I going about this the wrong way? 9 ft just feels so cumbersome (and a bit painful), so that's why I figured the lighter reel would match the shorter rod better too.

In that case you may like the 5/6. These are very nice reels - you can't go wrong with them. If you need more backing capacity then the braid or the President with the wider spool will be the answer.

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Definitely going with the 5/6 Trion. After all, I am a possessed hardcore UL fanatic. 20 or 30 lb braided line as backing should hopefully up the backing capacity to around the 150 yd. mark. Just in case. Mackerel and little tunas!!!!!!LOL!!!

Hi Ted,

I don't kow what your previous rod was, but today's graphite blanks are very light. I think you ought to go to a shop and pick up a couple of the mass produced fly rods that are 8'6" or 9' and see how they feel. Then you can decide whether you want to go with a smaller rod length.

I have used Pflueger reels for many years for pike, bass, trout, and steelhead. Steelhead gives my old model 1495 1/2 as well as my arms a real workout. I decided that I needed a reel with a center disc drag to handle fish like that. My suggestion is to look at a Tioga which I bought. It is a bit more expensive than the Trion, but its drag is one of the best out there for saltwater fishing. The Tioga is a non-fancy and non-jewel like line from Tibor Reels. This reel is so well made that your grandchildren will inherit it. Good luck with your project.

Mike Blomme

I own both of these reels in the 3/4 sizes. They are indeed very sweet, but I have found that they just dont hold a lick of backing. The President was so tight that I had to trim off a few feet of my line just to be sure the spool didn't chaffe the line. I only fish for trout and the only fish big enough to test my skills was an 18" fat rainbow. I reeled him in before he could even touch the backing. If you go with one size larger (the 7/8 that Tom suggested) it only adds half an ounce more and you will get a lot more space for backing.

Thank you. Michael, the Tioga is made by Teton Fly Reels. I agree the Tiogas are nice, but I got a bargain on the Trion 5/6. Also, the rod is one I built from the ground up, by extending a 6 foot All Star UL spin blank. I could not get hold of a suitable extension piece to take it out past 7' 6", so that's where I decided to stop piddling about and actually build it up.

Scott, the 3/4 sizes are pretty small for sure. The stated capacities are pretty low, considering the mid-arbor design and width of the spool. 50 yds of 20 lb Dacron on the 5/6. Like Tom mentioned, the reel is available under several different names (I don't know any of them, but I suspect a couple). Similar sized reels have capacities between 40 yds and 75 yds of the Dacron. Braid should at least double the backing capacity, without having to trim the fly line. Looking more closely though, the capacity from Pflueger is with a DT 6 line. With a WF5, I'd be looking at closer to 70 yds of Dacron, so quite possibly 140 yds od braid.

I wish the same price could be had on a 7/8, but none available.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2006 09:22AM by Ted Morgan.

I once sold the Tetons and the Tiogas - very nice reels, but not in the same league as the Pflueger Trion I'm afraid.

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With a 5 wt I can't imagine needing more that 20 lb braid backing.

With a 5/6, I would use 12# backing, then you can really get a lot on the reel.

Thanks again fellas. I am hesitant of dropping below 20 lb in braid (line cuts). Gerry, do you mean 12 lb Dacron?