Love the latest version of this iconic Hardy reel. I have trout and salmon sizes, but it's the sound of the reel as a salmon makes a run that is fantastic. There is really plenty of stopping power in the braking system, these reels have landed thousands of salmon.

I have two of these modern versions now, after being so impressed with the first one. Solid improvements over the earlier series. I made the switch to click & pawl a few years back and now I just wouldn't go back to a drag system for freshwater fishing. I've also got a vintage Salmon 1 for pike and light saltwater which gets marine grade lubricated beforehand and thoroughly cleaned afterwards which is so quick and simple with these reels. No more drag faffing, line spilling off the reel or having to compensate for light tippets... I just want to fish. I don't waste time trying to get the line on the spool, lost too many doing that but if it does go to the reel, I just palm the spool rim because it's quicker, easy and more intuitive than twiddling a knob on the other side of the reel! Okay, double-figure fish if you're catching that many, a drag will be less tiring...but I guarantee it's also be way, less satisfaction, skill and fun!