Blue gills ?

[flygoddess]

That is a definite NO one the backing on a Large Arbor. They were really not designed for fish that are going to run great distances, that is where the Mach and the Battenkill Mid comes into play. The thing I like about the LA is it is a light reel because, there isn't as much backing and like I said, I have not come across a problem that I can't solve by running the shore line or just turning backwards in my toon/tube with rod in the air over my head and kicking in the direction the fish is headed.
It is a personal choice thing. I put the largest BBS (a Traditional Arbor on my ten foot eight weight with about 500 yards of backing. No I don't need that much backing and lets face it, a fish peels your line and 300 yards, you can kiss that line good-bye. I put that much on to turn it into a Large Arbor. Figuring I will never even touch a large amount of that backing, my line comes off straight with no pig tail. And because it is such a light reel, the massive amount of backing balances it out nicely on the 10'. This is intended for Steelhead or Salmon or some Canadian fish that I know will take me into backing for sure.
So basically, go with what you fish. Trout, a Large Arbor is fantastic.

One more thing, all the Orvis reel mentioned are Salt Safe.[cool]
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