Reels
Galvan 2.75 Traditional

Orvis Vortex Reel

Tibor Light-Tailwater

Tibor Saltwater Reels

Rods
Winston WT TMF

Fran Betters Custom
- 9' 5wt. High Mod.

Tibor Light—Tailwater

June, 2004

I first experienced the thrill of fighting a Tarpon on a Tibor reel—a Gulfstream to be exact. To say that I was supremely impressed is an understatement. The combination of light weight, simple design, and unflinching durability easily made me a believer in Ted "Tibor" Juracsik's great saltwater reel.

When it was time to consider my purchase for my new trout rig, a Fran Betters custom 9' 5 wt., I really was considering only two reels--a Galvan OB4 and the Tibor Light Tailwater. I ultimately chose the Tibor purely from a design and finish standpoint. Both are made really well, but considering my fishing buddy already has 3 Galvans, I also felt compelled to get something different.

Though I haven't had a real bruiser on the reel with this one, I couldn't be happier and give Tibor's line of lightweigt reels a hearty recommendation.

UPDATE—NOVEMBER, 2004

Since the original write-up on this reel, I've had a couple of decent sized rainbows and browns on this reel. Though I've still had nothing on it that I would consider very big, but, the aforementioned fish have ranged from 14-16 inches. The largest, two browns, one on my "home" waters, the other at the Connetquot, really peeled line off of the reel without breaking the tippet, 7x, and 8x respectively.

I LOVE THIS REEL!

Specs from the Tibor site are as follows:

Weight: 4.2 oz. Frame Size: 3 1/4" x 1 1/4"
Capacity: 120 yards of WF5F line • 100 yards of WF6F line • 75 yards DT-5 line. All with 20 lb. backing.
For rod weights: 5-6 Species: Trout and light saltwater.

Also from Tibor's site:

Although often used in freshwater applications, Ted Juracsik's reels have been associated primarily with saltwater fly fishing. Recently, however, Ted developed a new line of Tibors to meet the needs of fresh water anglers fishing lighter fly lines.

Appropriately designated as the Tibor Light, these reels go well beyond the needs of trout afficionados. They are designed and crafted with the same uncompromising standards as his other models. Their rugged construction, watch-like precision and superb drag system will master a variety of light tackle functions from subduing steelhead to taming small tarpon.