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| Here's the Chronarch CH50Mg that I use in my casting exhibitions. This reel has a magnesium frame and weighs only 5.9-ounces. |
"Your Reels Have Gotta Be Right"
Part 1
By Stan Fagerstrom
The e-mail message contained a questions I've often been asked over the years.
"I caught your recent casting demonstration at the Sportsman's Warehouse," the message said. "I didn't get a chance to talk to you because I had to go pick up my wife. What I'd like to know is which reels were you using during your demonstration?"
I always enjoy having opportunity to share my thoughts were fishing tackle is concerned. My rods and reels help me earn a living. If I can share thoughts about what works best I feel good about having a chance to do so. I feel it's a "pay back" of sorts.
I gave my first casting demonstrations that really amounted to much at the old Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles a long, long time ago---April of 1952 to be exact. I've used a bunch of different reels from that time forward. I like to think I know a little bit about them as a result.
One thing I learned early on: Don't try to give a casting exhibition without having reels that get the job done for you. Much the same thing applies to fishing except there won't be so many people around to watch when your equipment helps you screw up. I didn't always have the greatest equipment to work with when I first started exhibition casting a half century ago. There have been tremendous changes in all types of reels over the past five decades. In recent years I've had the good fortune to use those that rank right at the top of the heap.
If you've watched one of my demonstrations lately, Chances are you're aware the reels I'm using are all Shimano products. When matched up with my G.Loomis Rods I don't think the resulting combination can be beat.
The fellow who sent me that e-mail message knew I used Shimano reels but he wanted the specifics. Here's what I told him: For the tricky stuff that's a major part of my demonstrations I use the Shimano Chronarch Mg. This is the Model CH50Mg.
What a delight it is to handle this little beauty! This model of the Chronarch is made with a magnesium frame. The result is that it weighs only 5.9-ounces. Spend hours casting at outdoor shows, and I've done a heap of it, and the weight of the outfit you're using increases in importance. The same thing is true if you're fishing all day.
Another feature I like about this reel is that it has a 6.2:1 gear ratio. In exhibition casting I'm forever making one cast after another. the faster I can get my casting weight back to fire it back out there again the better. The Model CH50Mg also has all of the other primary features you'll find on the other models in the Chronarch reel line up.
If you're a parent wanting to teach a youngster how to use a level wind reel, you'll also find the Chronarch Mg a great choice. Kids come with small hands. They'll have difficulty getting a good grip on larger reels. That's not a problem with the Model CH50Mg. It has a recessed reel foot that lets it set closer to the rod. The reel itself is so compact it snugs into your hand with ease.
If the woman in your life fishes with you, do her a favor and give her one of these reels to try. Wemon's hands are also often on the small side. Those gals I've seen use the Chronarch Mg love it as much as I do.
As I've mentioned, I use the Chronarch on a G.Loomis castin rod for a good many of the casts I do during my casting shows. I also demonstrate the techniques of flipping pitching and a differnt way of using the open face spinning reel. I'll provide details on the reels and the rods I favor for these purposes in my next column.
-To Be Continued- |
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| It's comforting to have quality equipment in your hands when you have this many people watching. This photo shows only one corner of my casting area at an outdoor show in Sao Paulo, Brazil. |
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