Anybody using them? If so, how are they? I'm going back to Canada during August to BANFF, and I'm looking for an ultralight reel I can carry on the plane to there with my pack rod. At the moment, all I have is a BPS 50$ gift card, so I'm kinda limited in my options. I don't want to bring any of my expensive reels there, in case they get dinged or lost, which is why I'm not looking to break the bank on a new travel spinning reel.

For $60 you can get a Pflueger President at Bass Pro. They are almost bulletproof. I have been running some of mine for decades. Between my wife and I we fish 5, some as new as 1 year old as well. Depending on your travel rod a size a model 6925 or 6930 may fit your needs perfectly.  If that is too much for the budget the Pflueger Trion gets some good reviews and it only cost $40 on sale right now. That leaves you enough for some line too.  Unfortunately I have never had one in my hand.  

 By the way where do you intend to fish around Banff?  My wife and I honeymooned in Calgary, Bannf and Jasper.  We fly fished the Bow River two days with guides in those McKenzie style drift boats.  Amazing and beautiful up there.  Good luck on your trip.

32 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

For $60 you can get a Pflueger President at Bass Pro. They are almost bulletproof. I have been running some of mine for decades. Between my wife and I we fish 5, some as new as 1 year old as well. Depending on your travel rod a size a model 6925 or 6930 may fit your needs perfectly.  If that is too much for the budget the Pflueger Trion gets some good reviews and it only cost $40 on sale right now. That leaves you enough for some line too.  Unfortunately I have never had one in my hand.  

 By the way where do you intend to fish around Banff?  My wife and I honeymooned in Calgary, Bannf and Jasper.  We fly fished the Bow River two days with guides in those McKenzie style drift boats.  Amazing and beautiful up there.  Good luck on your trip.

Hey thanks for the recommendation, but I already have a Pflueger, and am looking to diversify my reel selection.

 

Im either planning to go on a boat in Lake Minnewanka or fish from the shore on the Bow River. Along the bow river, what did you guys catch? I heard theres very decent sized trout in there, and am planning to fish it using my ultralight..

Well if I was going to get a reel other than a Pflueger than I would try a Mitchell 300,308 or 310.  They seem to have a following.  As for The Bow River we caught rainbows up to 8 pounds on flies.  That river is gorgeous.  I got to float down a stretch of river that went thru some farm land. Man those Hereford cows are BIG when you are wading and they decide to come join you for a drink of water!  They actually smell much better when they are on the dinner plate too. 

Look at the Cabela's Pro Guide (by Daiwa) in 1000 size.  Tiny reel, and solid ultralight performer.  I have one and would buy another if needed, very happy with this little reel.

I had a 2500 BPS spinning reel for 12 years and simply wore it out.