Merco Rite Bobbin Shorty Reviewed

Pros

• The adjustable drag makes 10/0 thread much easier to tie with.
• There is no need to wrap thread around the bobbin to provide tension.
• It's possible to temporarily increase tension by squeezing bobbin.

Cons

• The lack of semmetry is awkward when grabbing it without looking first.
• Very light.  I like a little heft to really feel in control of the bobbin.
• Once the spool is on the bobbin the label indicating make, size and weight is hidden.

Norlander Automatic Bobbin Reviewed

Pros

• After tying a half-hitch, the bobbin automatically retracts the extra thread.
• The  bobbin is always a handy distance from the hook.
• A good design for big hands - feels good in my palm.
• There is an extra heft to the bobbin - not too much - just enough to feel good.
• Heavy thread (6/0 or heavier) and floss works very well.

Cons

• Thread must be re-spooled prior to use.  There is a tool provided to make this easier.
• When cutting the thread, you must take care that the thread doesn't retract too far, requiring rethreading.
• The provided spools lack a notch to anchor thread when not in use.
• Once the thread is transferred from its original spool, the make, size and color of thread is a mystery.

Fly Fishing Gear - Reel Review - Pflueger

Pflueger Medalist 1594 1/2

Fly Fishing Gear - Fly Line 

This was incredibly confusing to me at first, then upon investigation I found it to be pretty straight-forward.

Picture of a typical fly line box.

Fly Fishing Gear - Tippet

Tippet line comes in 0X to 8X (0X is the biggest and 8X is the smallest) which is once again cryptic. There is however a simple system for determining which size to use for any given situation.

Divide the size of the hook by 3 and round. For example; if you are using a size #14 fly/hook 14/3 = 4.6 so using a 5X tippet will work fine. When using a #12 fly/hook - (12/3 = 4) - a 4X tippet will work best.