Since no one appears to be getting out much...

[remo_5_0]

Figured I'd just post this up, since I got a new 6 wt. for Xmas I needed a new reel, went with a Lamson Konic. Wanted a Guru but my bank account said otherwise, not a huge fan of cast reels but all the reviews were good, anyone have a Konic?
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[SBW]

I don't have one but I have heard good reviews as well. I like the looks of it.
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[OldTroller]

I have a Konic 2.0 but I heard they quite making them. Wholesaled all of their spare spools last summer. Did you get a brand new one?
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[sinergy]

Lamsons Konic is a great reel same conical drag thats in the more expensive Litespeed.
Lamson discontinued the Konic I but the Konic II replaced it. If im not mistaken the picture is a Konic II.

I got the Konic I on a Redington Voyant had for about 4 years now.. i think ...the only thing that changed is the Lamson printing on the side as worn off but it performs like it was new out of the box.
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[remo_5_0]

Ya, I got the Konic 2.0
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[OldTroller]

My konic has worked flawlessly for going on five years. It is the longest lasting reel I have ever owned.
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[SatanLBZ801]

I have the original Konic and LOVE IT! Can't buy a better reel for the price IMO. I have a Guru as well, which is lighter for sure, but drag is the same. You won't have any issues with the Konic other then you won't be able to break it! Good problem to have eh!?
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[flygoddess]

I don't have any of the "Konic", but I wanted one[] I do have one Lamson, so all is good.[]
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[altizerbd]

I have a broken Konic, it chipped on the spool. I am going to try and get it replaced. Ill post up how it goes. Otherwise, they are sweet reels and hold up to salt water well (I have two 8s).
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[remo_5_0]

Nice, I will grab a bigger one this spring when I head back down to Fl.
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[flygoddess]

Check the Kraken out too.
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[TroutBumDave]

Oh ya? I have the Okuma that came with my $40.00 rod. I also have a non-name brand P.O.S. that I got at a yard sale, and I usually have an automatic reel of some kind (forgot the name, but it's awesome)

So there!

You Orvis-Dorks and your expensive gear... pfffft.
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[flygoddess]

And you owned your own fly shop!
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[TroutBumDave]

[quote flygoddess]And you owned your own fly shop![/quote]
I remember selling $500.00 reels and wondering how/why in the Hell people would do such a thing. I've never had beef with my old crappers, so I just spend the money on bass plastics and lures that I'll never use -- but darn, do they look awesome!
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[Kim-n-Kota]

TroutBumDave, I still use the same cheap Okuma reel I've had for a decade. And I learned with a pawn shop special automatic that was so beat up I couldn't read the brand of it I'd wanted to. I think the reel doesn't reelly matter much on Utah trout rivers. Never fished anywhere more exotic, maybe that's why I haven't felt the need to invest.

For years I refused a pack or waders, would always fish in shorts and sandles, with nothing but a small watertight fly box and roll of 5x in my pocket. It was so punk rock. And it made me learn technique - which I think most will agree is worth more than all the fancy gear or flies in the world.

I still out-fish them Orvis dorks every time

My winter season was actually really fantastic. Curse me being too sickly and grumpy to motivate you all earlier. But with my recent surgery I'll have to leave it you y'all for a while. Here are a few pics from January in restitution:











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[TroutBumDave]

The spots on that first Brown are awesome. It has been so long since I caught a Brownie that I'm not sure I'd know what to do with myself/the fish.

Great post.
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[Kim-n-Kota]

Yes. Pretty pretty fish!

I kinda subverted this thread, but I am sick, so it might be excused.

There were many brownies to be had this year, I kinda gave up on taking pictures of them. I'd almost be glad to trade you for something else! Still love all the variation in the spots and colors. I swear the third is a brocutt.
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[FOD]

Good looking fish.

There is something to be said about the anglers that start off using gear that is considered to be low quality. I see it all the time while guiding. We set clients up with some top dollar you're an "Orvis dork" and you know it gear. Most of the time they would be better off starting out like the majority of the people who graduate from low end equipment to the higher end stuff. One main reason I can think of is how hard beginners are on rods and reels. I know from my own personal battles. Most of the time and also in my case a 16 year old kid isn't going to have the funds to get much more than a Grigg rod and reel combo kit. I beat the hell out of that thing, broke the tip twice, but still used it often, teaching myself what to do and what not to do in the world of fly fishing. For me one of the best things about starting low end was when I did finally graduate to a little nicer rig I could feel the difference in the rod and the balance. Timing became a little more natural, making casting become a little bit more consistent. I always like to tell beginners to go beat the crap out of a rod and reel that isn't worth much money while they get the feel for it and learn, then when they do want to become a true Orvis dork they will appreciate the difference.
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[flygoddess]

I am a big time Orvis Dork and proud of it. Worked hard to get the nice stuff and no way can I or will I feel bad about that.
But, I use what feels right too. Beginners will quit if it is too hard and bad equipment (specially Line) can turn a noob off.
Today's market however, you can get some great gear for the right price. I still have and fish my W.W. Griggs Vintage. In fact I have been offered a lot more than what I paid for this sweet looking and casting discontinued rod. I paid $68. and that included reel. I also fish a Greys G
that I bought for $39. and yes they were brand new.
More than an Orvis Dork I am an Allen Fly Fishing girl. Here is my $99. Compass

Don't need to break the bank for sure, but get the best you can, specially if you plan on sticking with it.
On one of my guide trips, a fellow guide was offering up Redington gear. The gal was small in size but determined. She struggled a little. I was switching out flies on her Redington, so I handed her my Orvis TL and Shark Skin. Her casting tripled in quality, I saw and she felt it. She started to enjoy it, so equipment can and does make a difference.
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[FOD]

I agree, when you only have 1 day to get someone hooked and have an enjoyable day, and you're willing to pay for a guide you should be provided top notch gear. Control what you can, is always a good way to guide.

More or less I am just going along with what was posted earlier that when your resources are limited as they were for me when I was a beginner you use anything and everything I could find that was affordable and functional. The drive to fish outweighs the most frustrating days on the water, the people who love it will do it. I am grateful that the industry has more affordable brands and even certain high end brands have some very reliable, sturdy and yet still affordable gear. I also still use a grigg sometimes. []
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