My Reel Paradigm

 The paradigm is mine with regard to Hardy's Perfect Reels. It's not bad, but I don't particularly find Hardy's Perfect reels a pleasing look with up-locking reel seats. To me, they just look right, and exceptionally good, when paired with fly rods having down-locking reel seats. And as a result, it's a good bet I will lock a classic Hardy Perfect reel into a down locker, or sliding band reel seat anytime I fish them in my mountain streams. 

Do you remember the saying,  "Art is to the eye of the beholder?" Well, other anglers probably have a different preference than I do regarding what is appealing for their rod and reel pairings. And that's a good thing. Like I said, "this is my paradigm."

I will most likely always designate my classic Hardy reels, including my Winston Perfect reels by the way, to fly rods with down-locking seats. And, for my classic fly rods with up-locking seats? They will always be paired to reels that hang a bit lower from underneath the rod's seat than what you see with Hardy Perfects. And I doubt that will change as long as I'm in this game.