Albright Popo Agie ELA Fly Reel

I got this reel at a great price to use on a 4 weight SAGE. Nice reel so far; I want a small set up for chasing wild brookies, but need something that could handle a big brown in current. One of the main problems mentioned in reviews of this reel (3/4 model) is the amount of drag; too much even when fully disengaged. I looked at the schematics that came with my reel and they show one washer between the drad adjustment and the drag pins. My reel had two washers? I removed one of them; now the drag is perfect for a 4 weight set up. Easy to swith from left to right, easy to change handle if you want a different or bigger one. I have big hands so I like larger handles.

Looks like pretty good construction. For [$], I can't complain. However, the drag is quite literally "Do or die." Also, the cheap plastic handle looks like it came off of a child's toy.

For the dollars spent this reel is a great purchase. I am not very impressed with the design of the disc drag system. It appears there is a single ball bearing. The more disappointing thing about it is that the drag system is not sealed/enclosed. You can visualize the ball bearing when the spool is removed... i.e. I would not throw this reel on a sandy bank or let it spend too much time in a silty river. Not to take away from it... you pay for what you get. I bought the ELA in a 3wt... not sure if this is the most practical reel for the wt... but its worth the money to experiment. I spend most of my time in the WNC fishing for easter, brown, and bows.

Good reel, only thing I didn't like was the cheap plastic handle. Though was easy to remove and replace with a handle from a different reel.

This is a nice wide compact reel that balances with the appropriate wt. albright 4 piece rod and line. Always balance all of these and use both good quality balanced filler line and fly line. I like cortland or scientific angler. I am really impressed with this match up to it's rod. I bought the three wt. set up. I will use it for lighter pan fish, brookies and put and take rainbows with dry flies.

Bought reel for my wife as novice. Easy for her tpo handle and operate.

great reel for the price. nice and smooth drag system i now have 2 of these reels..

My son plans to use this to get away from college and let his mind and soul rewind!!

Solid reel for the price. Did not notice too much play/wobble in reel for line to get tangled in for the small 3/4 size. Drag is very strong, maybe too much for a small size reel. Goes from light to heavy within a small radius of drag adjustment although there are click detents you can feel for each minor turn of the drag knob. The outgoing click may be a little heavy in the light weight 3/4 model adding to drag for light tippets. This is not a problem for the 5/6 wt model. You can get 6 of these for the price of a Bauer MXP

steelhead fishing