german or ? bearings for Islanders?

[xgolfman]

Hello to all, I live on the border of Washington State and B.C. I mainly fish the flows up there, My favorite is the Vedder as it's close and has decent runs...Skagit and Nooksack seconds...

My question is this, I remember reading that you guys in the mitten asked Milner to build you bearing reels, ( I had a milner bushing model ) because the start up was so smooth for smaller baits. I also read that you were getting German bearings to replace the standard ones and the pin was even better....Does anyone know how to or have you replaced the ones in the Inlander Steelheader??? Would appreciate any info. on this...Guys out here are all bushing guys...I had the milner kingfisher, excellent reel but prefer the steelheader as it fits my hand better...

Many thanks and hope your all getting into lots of fish!!! Tight lines, X.

[Alpha Buck]

I would contact Islander, I am sure you can find the email or phone # on their website. I believe most bearing reels have a better start up than bushing reels. I owned a Milner Kingfisher about 5 years ago and got rid of it because it was not a good reel for really slow water. I believe the bushing reels are more suited for faster flows with heavier presentations, mostly suited for your area (westcoast). I have heard if you break in a bushing reel it is supposed to be really smooth, but the ones that I have fished never seem to have the low startup that my Hanson or Apex have.

[xgolfman]

I would contact Islander, I am sure you can find the email or phone # on their website. I believe most bearing reels have a better start up than bushing reels. I owned a Milner Kingfisher about 5 years ago and got rid of it because it was not a good reel for really slow water. I believe the bushing reels are more suited for faster flows with heavier presentations, mostly suited for your area (westcoast). I have heard if you break in a bushing reel it is supposed to be really smooth, but the ones that I have fished never seem to have the low startup that my Hanson or Apex have.

I've heard that as well, bushing guys out here love um and think the bearings are a pain in the *****. Funny, as we've talked to John Milners son and he's big on the bearings so the following is seeing some change...Very true, mostly big flows here. Some smaller systems like Chelhalis etc. but I don't fish them as much...Wish I knew how your picture thing worked on here, could give you an idea what were doing..

[hard head]

Try this http://www.bocabearings.com/ it is where a lot of the pinners get there bearings.;)

[Alpha Buck]

I've heard that as well, bushing guys out here love um and think the bearings are a pain in the *****. Funny, as we've talked to John Milners son and he's big on the bearings so the following is seeing some change...Very true, mostly big flows here. Some smaller systems like Chelhalis etc. but I don't fish them as much...Wish I knew how your picture thing worked on here, could give you an idea what were doing..

Which rivers do you fish mostly? Got the call yesterday on another trip out to WA in March. If all goes well we will be staying about 5 minutes away from the Queets, and fishing the forks area rivers as well.

[Flyfisher]

I also read that you were getting German bearings to replace the standard ones and the pin was even better....Does anyone know how to or have you replaced the ones in the Inlander Steelheader???
I don't think that you will see much of an improvement in performance by "upgrading" the bearings in the Islander. Its a great reel right out of the box.

[Alpha Buck]

I don't think that you will see much of an improvement in performance by "upgrading" the bearings in the Islander. Its a great reel right out of the box.

Actually Rick, I have heard of alot of guys changing out the bearings on their islanders. Some of the reels seem to run very well out of the box, but have heard that most will run better with the upgrade. I had an islander that ran great with no upgrade but have handled others that did not have the same low startup.

[Flyfisher]

Actually Rick, I have heard of alot of guys changing out the bearings on their islanders. Some of the reels seem to run very well out of the box, but have heard that most will run better with the upgrade. I had an islander that ran great with no upgrade but have handled others that did not have the same low startup.
I guess I am lucky then;) I was thinking that the they would all be fairly consistent:confused: In my limited experience, I am making a comparison between the Islander with OEM bearings and a Sheffield with upgraded German bearings.

Greg, locate any safe (consistent 4"+) hardwater yet? Send me an email or PM if you have a chance.

[Steelheadfred]

I guess I am lucky then;) I was thinking that the they would all be fairly consistent:confused: In my limited experience, I am making a comparison between the Islander with OEM bearings and a Sheffield with upgraded German bearings.

Greg, locate any safe (consistent 4"+) hardwater yet? Send me an email or PM if you have a chance.

I got upgraded bearings from my gun smith, and they are smooth, start up is the biggest change, almost too smooth.

Between the two of us, we should be comming out with a "custom" pin some time next spring.

[xgolfman]

I'm up on the border, blaine area, so I mostly fish the Vedder in B.C. or Nooksack down here...Don't head south much...can't stand Seattle traffic..Worst then L.A.
Where or how did you guys find out about the german bearing??? I remember a year ago this being a big issue....Mine is pretty damn smooth..but hey there is always room for improvement right??

[xgolfman]

I picked up another Milner Kingfisher (bushing model) this week and used it thursday...All I can say is its much smoother then the Islander, remarkably so....The Milners are going up in price here this year, so figured I'd get one now...I've found a spot for the bearings and will switch them out of the Islander...BUT..i'm hoping to trade it off for another Milner...:lol: