Northwest Fishing Reports

I'm looking into buying my first fly rod and reel and after a long search I've decided on a Ross Gunnison. It'll be the #2 model and be paired with a 9' 5wt rod. Everything I've read online says that they're great reels. Tough, made well with a great warranty/customer service, and have a nice look which is an added bonus. What I haven't been able to find is any information on their actual performance compared to other reels, and specifically if they would be a good or bad starter reel for someone with limited experience casting flys. My back-up option is an Abel, but they're a bit pricier. Has anyone fished with these, the old or just-re-released models, and have any thoughts or comments on how they'll perform compared to other brands that are out there?

The reel is nothing more than a line holder with a drag. It wont help you cast. Your rod and line will be the most important part of your performance. My advise: get a great rod and line, spend good money there, but buy a cheaper reel, as long as its ergonomic and looks good, you get virtually nothing performance wise from the reel. Hopefully this helped.