New semi automatic fly reel

[bill de brooklyn]

what do you think?

Bold FlyFishing

[bill de brooklyn]

http://www.thinkfishworld.com/web/en...ducto-bold.php

[AaronJasper]

I'll take a look at that one when I get back from fishing tonight.

[sholgate]

Interesting. I could see using something like that with streamers, especially with fall coming.

Looks heavy.

[VTflyfishing]

I think it takes some of the fun out of the game.

[bill de brooklyn]

I currently use the franco vivarelli semi automatic fly reel. it is the same concept of the thinkfish bold. i know that the vivarelli is not heavy. it is made from an aluminum block, can hold up to a 9 wt line with considerable backing. semi automatics are popular in europe especially for competition. the semi reels are pricey and i think that it why they have not caught on here. But do not confuse them with the old, heavy automatic fly reels of 30 or 40 years ago. there is no spring to wind. many have adjustable drags & allow spools to be changed. fish can be played on and off the reel



I just ordered the bold and i will let everyone know what i think after i have fished it.

[Davyfly]

Bill,

I have a couple of the Vivarelli which his wife personally gave to me many years ago when l was working at a fly fishing event l was booked at in Italy. The French guys love them.
They are very lightweight indeed.
Some of you may remember the Mitchell Garcia auto, SOB weighed a ton. I had a friend who would cast out his streamer and use the reel to whip the fly back in stops and starts, he did catch a bunch of fish doing this, you cannot do same with hand retrieves
This reel had a spring operated system kind of like a clock wind up.

DW

[Troutastic]

Interesting concept I guess. Personally I like the difficulty of hooking a fish, setting the hook, and then reeling in the excess line while staying attuned to what the fish is doing (running, diving, jumping, etc.). I'll say that occasionally it doesn't work out in my favor, but it keeps things interesting. I feel that a reel like this might take some of that dynamic out of the game, so I'll stick to the old standbys.

[wwelz]

I don,t understand how they automatic reel retrieves line if there is no spring. Can someone explain? Also are they susceptible to jamming or becoming inoperable by mud, sand weeds etcetera?

[bill de brooklyn]

this is the vivarelli goldstar. it is the state of the art. it can be used in salt as well as fresh water. never jams due to sand or mud; because it is a semi auto there is no danger of pulling in the line with such force that the rod tip is damaged. europeans like these reels and use them when they compete. this reel does nothing to change the experience of hooking or catching fish.