[Joni]

I don't see the need for a very expensive reel, unless you just like the more expensive gear. I do think you need one with a good drag system (specially on the lighter rods) cause you never know when you might hook into a big fish. Personally when on a river I prefer to play the fish on the reel (so I am not catching the line on a sharp rock or stepping on it). Come to think of it, I prefer playing the fish on the reel in my Pontoon. There are a lot of great inexpensive reels out there. I use the Battenkill LA I on my 2wt and yes, I have had the fish take me to the backing, in fact I had to run down the shore line and my brother was down stream and netted a 17" brown for me. Light reels on light rods is the only way to go. I got the CFO for my light weight gear like my 3wt. and my 4wt,'s (Trout Bum, One Ounce, Lamiglass and my Battenkill Bamboo). Real great compliment to the set-up, plus looks good too ;-) I agree a reel is a place to keep your line, but in my experience, a good drag is very important.