Lamson LS 3.5

[ianjones]

Does anyone know whether there is adequate room to load a 8/9 spey line with backing? i was thinking of a Snowbee 1D.
Thanks, Ian

[betanut]

Litespeed?

[ianjones]

yes

[johnny]

I have the Litespeed 4 and that holds a 10/11 med head speyline with backing aplenty so I would imagine the 3.5 will easily swallow the 1D with plenty.

[leo]

I was told by Fishtec that the Litespeed 3.5 would hold an 8/9 short head spey line with plenty of backing. I remember being quoted 125y with a shorthead 8/9 but can't remember the make of line quoted. I think it was bulkier than a Snowbee 1D though.

On the subject, I still have an unused Litespeed 3.5 for sale in classifieds, if anyone is interested.

[leo]

Actually I can't remember if the backing capacity I was given was with dacron or with gelspun.

[betanut]

Spoken with an American pal who uses Lamsons (as I do, only I can't afford a Litespeed yet ). Anyway, he reckons it would be OK with micro backing/gelspun but you'll not get much more backing on than Leo says (125 yds - ish) with any line upwards of a #9.
Mind you, do any of us really need 200yds of backing?
Go for it - they're lovely reels

[jan]

i have several litespeed 3.5 reels - i would be wary of whether you would get much more than 100m of gelspun on them - i get 300m of gelspun with a standard 9 weight SW line, but spey lines have at least 50% more head and are usually longer as well - you may have to shorten the running line to get enough backing on IMO - if you like i can run a 8/9 weight airflo spey line on and see how much space is left - i'll post the result later.

[jan]

and the answer is......no - an 8/9 weight airflo delta spey (short head) fills the spool totally to binding point with no room for backing - it woudl be okay fishing with the line through the rings but no backing unless you cut off some running line - the snowbee has thinner running line i think so you may get a little on.

Great reels by the way - i bought some in the recent sales in the usa and they have performed faultlessly and caught bonefish permit and tarpon.

[leo]

I'm surprised at that. Sorry if I gave misleading information. That is what I was told by the shop. I do know however that another reel I have will fit much more backing on with a 2D Snowbee 10/11 (as Jan says because of the thin running line) than when it's loaded with a Airflo Delta spey long (medium head) 10/11.

[ianjones]

Thanks guys, think i will have to go with the LS4 instead to be on the safe side...
Ian

[easky]

Ian I just bought a Litespeed 4, previous model in the states at a good price, have a look on the Cabalas site

E