[flyflingerandy]

I want to hear from everyone who fishes these reels. I just bought a 2/3 model for my light rods, and am excited to get it (Gremlin fishing is out of town at the trade show in Denver till the 17th), and am interested in hearing how much backing you can throw on there with a WF3F and a WF2F. How smooth is the drag? How well do you like them? Thanks!

[FrankB2]

I've been using SLV's exclusively for a few years now. They are excellent,
and the price is even better! I have them in 4/5 and 5/6 sizes, and always
get 100 yards of backing on without a problem. They are cast reels, but
100% wobble free (unlike the older Okuma Sierra reels). The drag is
extremely smooth, and retrieve is silent. While fishing this past Jan-Feb,
my hands got really cold, and I dropped two of the 5/6 reels HARD! I
expected both reels to be broken, but they only suffered very minor
scratches from hitting the asphalt.

Don't be fooled by the price....and they're not made in China! They're
made in Taiwan (average per capita income $20,000).

[flyflingerandy]

Rock on! I am glad I bought one! Now I need a few spools for it!

[FrankB2]

I shoulld mention that I hand wind backing on my reels now. I read somewhere that machine winding backing can cause reels to warp, and one
of the local shops told me that they have had spool split when machine
wound!

[flyflingerandy]

I like to hand wind backing as well. I find it therepeutic in a sick sick way.

[steelydan]

I just bought one and like it EXCEPT...the drag adjustment has a gap wide enough for a stray loop to lodge in the gap and squish the line.
Probably my fault for letting line get on the weak side of the reel but I don't like it and will look for a reel with a flush or tapered drag adjustment knob.

[FrankB2]

Drag Knob Gap: I had that problem for nearly one year after buying my first
SLV. I knew it was my fault (what's the line doing around the drag knob???),
but I paid greater attention to my form and the problem disappeared. I would
have to say that the SLV made me a better caster!