jack Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Received a prototype "Islander Classic" today and have to share. This is Prototype # 023, non-anodized, tumbled and polished, exactly as all Islanders are prior to anodizing. The "Classic" is a traditional "click & pawl" mid-line weight reel, with a No. 6 spool for 5, 6, 7wt spey lines and a separate No. 8 spool for 7, 8, 9 wt lines. I will be loading the reel with a wide variety of SA spey lines over the next few days and will post the capacities of the No. 6 spool for those who may be interested. The marginally adjustable drag pressure is through the frame side 5 position drag knob. As in all traditional "click/pawl" drags, additional drag pressure can be set by removing the clicker spring and bending the arms inward a bit. This is again, a traditional bushing reel, using two Oilite bushings in the spool, riding on a polished stainless spindle. -No, I have no idea what the MSRP will be -No I have no idea when the "Classic" will be available. But I will advise just as soon as I have those answers. The production colour will be "Slate Grey/Blue" sort of like this production IR4: THIS is what the non-anodized "Islander Classic" looks like: and the "gold effect": j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 20, 2010 Author Share Posted November 20, 2010 Tentative intro date Sept. 2011 MSRP: approx $400 j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Love it except for the hotspur-style double handles - my knuckles hurt just looking at them. Nice to see someone other than Hardy making a nice spey-sized clicker at a reasonable price, especially a Canadian company. So is the weight of both spools the same or is that the weight with the No. 8 spool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 20, 2010 Author Share Posted November 20, 2010 Weight is with the #6 spool on it. The #6 spool arbor is 2.5" in dia. the #8 arbor is 2". No idea if there is a weight difference. I don't have the extra #8 spool. j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBBrownie Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 sexy! Although I agree with headscan, double handle may be dangerous when that sucker starts spinnin. Is it loud? I like loud... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 Wow that is beautiful, quick send me one for testing. I only need it for 30 years or so, he he. That is a beauty, have to put some sheckles aside. Killer design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 20, 2010 Author Share Posted November 20, 2010 I'll send it to you just as soon as I'm done with it, SD !! I should have added this exerpt from the accompanying letter: ""We are looking for some comments and constructive criticism on the reel with regard to aesthetics and operation..." info@islander.com " j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 I should have added this exerpt from the accompanying letter: ""We are looking for some comments and constructive criticism on the reel with regard to aesthetics and operation..." info@islander.com " j Good info. Two more questions - is the reel fully caged? and is the spool rim exposed for palming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 21, 2010 Author Share Posted November 21, 2010 Good info. Two more questions - is the reel fully caged? and is the spool rim exposed for palming? Back side: Spool/Frame view: As you can see, the spool has a nice large, smooth palming rim. I set the clicker drag on maximum and it IS loud! Everyone on the flow for 500 metres will know it's an Islander !! j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Or a Hardy, could you post a pix of the inside . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 22, 2010 Author Share Posted November 22, 2010 Or a Hardy, could you post a pix of the inside . Don't you find Hardy's have that annoying "British Accent" ?? j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Don't you find Hardy's have that annoying "British Accent" ?? Only the older ones. The newer ones have a different accent that I can't quite place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack Posted November 25, 2010 Author Share Posted November 25, 2010 Only the older ones. The newer ones have a different accent that I can't quite place... Upper crust Seoul, I believe. :rotflmao: j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanJuanWorm Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 God I love Islander reels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDoctor Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Are there plastic parts in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayhad Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 That's not plastic... it's composite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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