Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. I have two comments and a question. I have the Perfect Taupo and when set up for right hand retrieve the wind plate is turned anti clockwise to remove, i.e. counter to the retrieve direction. Based on the pamplet that came with the reel, hardy recommend oiling the handle knob and the inside of the bush the shaft on the winding plate passes through - although they recommend grease for the shaft itself. Now for the question: what rod do you use the Perfet 3 3/8 on? Was thinking of getting one for a 4wt trout spey and 7wt single hand rod. Cheers Marc
Thanks for the comments, Marc! I am no expert by all means; but my process works for my stuff! As far as the Perfect 3 3/8 *widespool* pairing. I can't point you in the right direction for a single hand rod (I'd probably look for a 3 3/8 non-widespool for that), but a 4wt trout spey works perfectly! I use them on Anderson Custom Rods ELT 1144, and the Hardy Ultralite NSX 1144.
Thanks Andrew, I mostly swing flies with double handers on the Tongariro river, using a 5wt Orvis Mission and the hardy perfect 3 7/8 for elevated flows and a 4wt Trout spey when the river is down. Fresh run rainbows are usually 3-6lb and very strong. They usually go on a long run and then swim back upstream, when you have to crank like crazy to keep up. Have you had any issues with retrieval rate with the 3 3/8. Looks like you are catching similar sized steelhead. Cheers Marc
Tough one - I use a 4" Perfect on my 13'2" 7, and I have a Salmon 2 on my 14'4" 8. You'd probably have to get a Salmon 2 for yours, that's a big 7. I've had absolutely zero issues with my Marquis 1 or 2. The fit and finish of the Marquis versus the Perfect is noticeable, which is to be expected, considering the Perfect is almost double the cost. I should note that if cost is irrelevant, go with the reel that balances out your rod more (unless you're a Perfect collector, then you just have to add weight inside the reel, which I"d recommend asking a local shop that carries Hardy reels to help you out with that).
Feel free to use wide, flat-head, screw drivers on your Hardy reels! (But please, no one else other than @ianmackie3553 do this if you own a Hardy reel. I don't want your screw to get ruined.)
I agree it sounds crazy, but the screw was literally designed to be turned with a coin. I can't remember the size; the width is what matters, and there's more than one pence coin that fits. I'm not sure what US coin fits, if any.