...I guess it really is personal preference, wonder what Milner reel you've had cause the reason I rarely us my Islander is because I have a few Milner reels that I would rather use first.
Gee...wonder why the price drop, is it because there was little interest and the reason why some stores have quite a few lying around still. The early buzz was that it would sell quick because of the limited run.
PS When it comes to Milner Reels, MC Hammer said it best..."Can't Touch This!!"
The Milner was a beatiful reel mind you I did't have the Talisman which is probably the "bomb" I had an early model Kingfisher. The reason I didn't like it is because it had the nickle finish and because the reel was plated it was hard to feather the spool unlike an anodized aluminum spool. The drum would kind of stick to your fingers because of the plating and I'd let out line too quickly and when I tried to apply a light touch it would grab and stop letting out any line. I would have rather had one of the newer models with a natural anodized aluminum finish on the spool.
I guess it really is a matter of preference. The link I posted above does have a nice price point, I had one in my hand on the weeked and it had a $525.00 tag on it. It's a pretty sweet reel and I may get one. I'm kind of lazy and enjoy tossing spoons as well so my 11 bearing Calais usually gets the call and a work out. I've salvaged many a day steelheading swinging a spoon through a run at the end of the day and you don't need a nap or get a sore back
. Bill Herzog was the king although I think he's using the Spey rod now.