Beginners Guide to Fly Fishing Reels and a review of the JMC Yoto Semi Automatic Fly Reel

[@50Squirrel]

Hi Lindsay, I for one would appreciate an in-depth explanation on still water reels, cassettes & lines… thanks for considering!

[@gardnerwebb3749]

Lindsay I would like to know what squirrel is talking about.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Will give it a go.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Gardner he is after an overview of Stillwater fly fishing reels.

[@regkane-Pluvis]

Hi Lindsay, I have fished with Mitchell 710's since the late 60s, OK, they are a bit heavy but I wouldn't change them for any other reel. They are no longer made but, available on the internet, costing around £40. Best fishing bargain in the world. I have about 20+ and, have introduced them to all my angling friends. Tight lines Reg Kane.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

To heavy for these old bone pal. 😀

[@howie8582]

Enjoyable review. I used to use an old Mitchell automatic when wading and fishing a team of spiders in a river it was a great (but very heavy) way of picking up all that loose line floating down the river on a take. Now I use a semi-automatic as well. I prefer my Vosseler reels but have to admit the semi-automatic does present some advantages depending on the situation.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

The jury is definitely still out I love the ease of use just a few niggly points that has stopped me going all in. I am going to try and get hold of a Peux Reel for review and if I like that I might well buy one.

[@koplegend1963]

Still water reels overview? That would be great.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I will have a go at it buddy.

[@srenroesgaardtang782]

Hi Lindsay. The Vivarell FV102 at £165 weighs 103grams, is tough (carbon) and does not fail much as long as you keep it clean, lubricated and out of the mud/silt. You have to put up with the allen key adjusted drag. But not the small arbor. Spanish shops and private dealers sell 3D-printed arbor adapters, handles and counterweights, and even forward line guides. So, with a few additions to the original reel, you can use it for 2-3wt lines, 0.55 line and straight nylon without any issues. As for getting used to semiautomatic reels…I have used them for two seasons now, and it has been a one way rabbit hole. No turning back for me 😊 Nice to see you introducing these reels to more people who might enjoy using them 🙏

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Great information there thanks for taking the time to share your experience. 👍

[@BILLHENRY239]

There two new semi automatic fly reels on the market today. The OCR Bighorn and a generic semi automatic fly reel offered by Amazon. The reel offered by Amazon is for nymphing only. The OCR Bighorn can be used for everything from light saltwater to trout fishing. Both reels have adjustable drag systems. I have used SAFR for the past twenty years. And I have used the JMC Ozone & Peux Fulgor with great success. I enjoyed your video!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thank you, I will try and check out those reels. Sadly I suspect European Amazon will not carry them.

[@peterwelsh9509]

Hi Lindsay, I have used the JMC auto 'nymph' this season. The nymph has an easily adjustable exterior drag and a handle, I absolutely love it and bought a second for my dry fly fishing.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I will take a look at that Peter.

[@rened.5998]

I've been thinking about the Con's list and habe to say and have to say, they are valid but in a different context actually Pro's or at least neutral. 1. Is actually beneficial for longer rod setups because the weight helps you balance the Rod. 2. Cost is subjective. It's a neutral for me 3/4. Her comes the responsibility of the manufacturers into play. They are in responsible for designing a structural sound product that reliable and durable. Complex mecanisms aren't nothing new in fishing. When you have a look at Stationary or baitcast reels the complexity of a semi auto is quiet manageable. In short... vote with your wallet. 5.That's a given but yeah you're right 😂 For me. I like the Idea but I'm not yet sold on the looks.😅 Vanity is a thing 😂😂

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I am still not a convert but I see the promise! Will see what the future brings.

[@rened.5998]

@@lindsayiflyfish Im no one either but it sure is promising

[@backcountrylifemagazine6912]

Happy to see the Pere Marquette River Lodge sticker behind you. I guided on the PM in the 90s. That lodge was “ Johnson’s Pere Marquette Lodge” then. With that Scottish accent, I’m wondering if you’re in Scotland, and if you’ve visited and fished Michigan….where the PM flows.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi, I am from Scotland but live in England. I have been lucky to have fished the Pere Marquette for Kings and Steelhead. Had a blast.

[@GregariousAntithesis]

I lost so many nice fish in my youth because of the old non adjustable no drag auto reels. It was a game changer getting my first standard orvis reel with drag adjustment.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I might well end up going back to my Hanak reel which is bullet proof. I am also considering saving my money and picking up a Peux reel. If I sold half the stuff I have in my fishing room I could probably buy one....lol.

[@marcelinomenendezvallejo8350]

I have the yoto nymph. Worked great for 3 months. Now the drag locks up and need to disassemble to push the gear and fix. Never again unless they fix the issue and replace the reel

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Should still be under warranty no?

Hi Lindsay, As a comp angler myself... I'll just chime in with a few words. The YoTo 30 you have doesn't seem to have the small handle and I am actually wondering how old yours is, or should I say how long it's been sitting on the shelf of whoever sold it to you. JMC is now making the YoTo Nymph which can be found in left or right handed retrieve. I've serviced my YoTo 30 and removed every single parts of it. Folks should know that the older model requires the screw holding the spool harbor to be removed. I've lost precious time during competition session with my leader getting caught in the gears during an inter-session. So the YoTo nymph would be an upgrade. There's also the play in the gears and reversing effect on the spool as well as the total line retrieval and torque per cycle of the handle being activated. That's where the Peux will shine, also worth mentioning for all the old school Vivarelli owners, Peux released an upgrade mechanisms to improve the Vivarelli. Lastly, Peux used to make other reels with a de-multiplication factor 1:4 (1 turn = 4 harbor rotation) those were the Speedline. I haven't seen them on the website for about a year but I expect they might come back again in the future. The anti-reverse on the Speedline is actually really nice and spool removal was also super easy, but for competition angling, sourcing 20+ spare spool would be too expensive. Lastly, I would absolutely recommend everyone to AVOID the cheap version of semi auto reels. I've tried a few and one broke as I was loading line on it for the first time. The second had absolutely no torque to pickup a basic 3Wt dry fly line.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks for a concise and informative post, very interesting. I have only had it lock up on me once and it was near the end of a session so not really a show stopper. I can imagine it would be a complete disaster in a comp session though and I am not sure I would trust it in a serious comp. Having had a play with the Peux Reels I may well save my pennies and get one. If I decide it's not for me I am sure I could sell it on.

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Great content. Man, I have an issue, my wife says. For example , my Stillwater reels I like the Sage Arbor XL’s. I have 9 extra spools for this reel and each spool cost roughly $270 here in Wv USA. My friends and my wife say, buy a cassette reel and the spools are way cheaper. I agree, I own cassette reels but I just enjoy the Sage Arbor Xl reels, I can’t help it. My issue I guess is liking hide end equipment. I would like to hear more about Stillwater fly lines and which ones you use most of the time. Thanks!!!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thank you, there is nothing wrong with like high end gear and there is many positives. If you buy top quality for the most part it lasts and rarely lets you down. I have done a video on fly line it's here buddy kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYfGloKtbN-Bd5Ysi=LFH-4dAxHlfL4X8o

[@wvlongshooter3912]

@ thanks, I will watch it.

[@davidwillacy4796]

Hi Lindsay, I can imagine a semi or fully automatic reel would be very useful for an angler who may not have full use of both arms/hands. Cheers.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Never thought about that aspect but a great point.