I currently have a scientific angler's reel someone gave me. I was wanting to upgrade a little bit. Any recommendations for a still somewhat beginner? Cabelas has a lot of there reels on sale right now!

what are you using it for?

Trout, Fish local ponds, catch bass crappie, blue gill

id go on ebay and get a used ross evolution #2. one of the best trout reels out there. super light and smooth drag. I've got 2 of them and am currently looking for a third.

some would say for freshwater the reel mainly just holds the line. its true for the most part, but when you buy cheap gear it has no resale value. getting a good used reel off ebay at least gives you a piece of equipment that in a few years if your looking for something else it will have some resale value.

if you don't like the ross, check out abel, hatch, nautilus or other machined reels. I'd stay away from anything cast

Save your money...Scientific Anglers reels are great for your intended purposes.

Reels are all drag and weight. I have a plastic scientific anglers reel and a Ross evolution reel. They both equally give drag when I need it, but the Ross begins and ends the release of drag with a smoother transition. Does it help me land more fish? I don't think, so, but it does "feel" better. Is that feeling worth $350 more dollars...na. The big difference is weight. I have scientific angler set up and a Helios 2 set up with the Ross and even my friends that don't fish much notice a huge difference in weight. Weight it huge in fatigue, ease of casting, finesse ability and IMO helps with sensitivity. Is all that worth a $350 upgrade?....I would make the decision this way. Do you fish here and there for short periods of time? Probably not worth it. Do you fish twice a month or more for long periods of time? It's probably a good investment.

Orvis Access is also good reel. I have one in 8 wt and it's been flawless.
Not sure what price range you are thinking of, but I would recommend getting a disc drag. Don't get a "click" or pawl reel. Most of the time it would not matter, but when it matters (as in hooked the fish of a lifetime), you want a decent drag.

Check these out.

I have two of those I paid the same thing for on past sales. They hold the line just as good as any other real out there. I do prefer the way my vintage clinkers sound though.

If you just have to have a new new reel Yaknit is right on. The Orvis Access is the best reel out there for the $$$. I own a Ross Rythm and love it but my Access is just as good or at least close. With Ross your paying for the name. An aside: Orvis now owns Ross And Scientific Anglers. Also, although not the name brand to have SA makes good gear, lines are still very popular. Get what you like

anyone have experience with Allen Reels?

I have an Allen Prelude! awesome combo for the $$$
Whatever you puchase, just make sure you have a balanced combo

I have a few fly reels one is a ross, have a bauer M 3 a couple of J RYalls a nice marryat acouple of others. some with line all new or gently used all have pouches thanks larry

selling some nice fly reels all new or gently used most with line and all with pouches
bauer M 3 almost perfect Abel TR 3 same Marryat MR 8 Orvis Clearwater Ross Reels flyrise 4 and a couple of J. Ryalls one is a Jr. with spare reel . all are very nice came from collector in California thanks

i really like the looks of the orvis mirage and hydros. I just can't get over the sound. reminds me to much of a little rice burner that someone put an exhaust system on.