It's funny how life is about moving in circles...I've been fishing with the Lightspeed F for 2 years. While I love this reel, I wasn't using more than 2 clicks of the powerful drag. I hadn't used a click pawl reel since the Orvis Presentation I started out with in the 80s, but seeing the beauty of the Purist 2 (whisky) I set up a myUS account and had it shipped to London. I just put it through its paces for two days on the River Kennet and couldn't be happier. The clicker is set to just enough resistance: Whether stripping off line for a cast or singing out after a wild fish feels the hook and makes a 15 yard sprint to the opposite bank...
I played 20 + fish from 1 to 3lb in 2 days and only needed a little pointer finger pressure on the line for the most part. Palming the spool provided a full stop, when rarely needed.
I won't mention the price. It's a Lamson and a very high spec build. Nuf said. It perfectly balances with my Scott G 8643: I hardly notice the scant weight, which is great when you are casting up to 40 times to a single fish in a difficult lay with a #20 PT. I have a feeling that the weak point will be the Teflon(?) clicker, so I may order a few as spares...just in case, though I also have a feeling Lamson will be around long enough to supply me with another should it fail!
I taught myself to think the subtle manipulations required with a click pawl were a bother. Now I'm back where I started, loving them!
Thanks Lamson

Just spent the last 5 days on the flint river TN with this reel. By far the most fun I've had on the water. The sound is very pleasing, I love the looks of it (I got the whiskey) and the fast retrieval is a pleasure to use. It balances my rod well and coupled with rio fly line it makes a powerful cast easy.
I also got several comments on the looks of it which was an added bonus.

My new favorite reel. Pleasing sound. Light weight. Beautiful construction. Simple but majestic. I own many LAMSON reels for a reason and this is one is pure fun. If you want the best click and pawl lightweight reel on the market this is it! Super large arbor. Narrow (in a good way) with great resistance and perfect aesthetics. I will buy again and again. Easily landed 20 fish up to 20” browns its first outing. Matches well with a very light 5 weight rod. You could easily use the 5+ on a 3-4 weight rod if you wanted more backing. It’s definitely an upgrade from the original which in itself is a modern classic.

Purist II × 1
-3+ / Reel / Whiskey

As the owner of many purists reels since the 90's i wasn't going to be too easy to convince if the new units were not up too the previous standard. But while i will not willingly part with any of my current reels this darling will be on my rod for my next trip to the creek. the build quality is beyond reproach and the whisky color gives the reel a classy look that the fish may not appreciate but I certainly do. It is no on my 7 foot 4 weight and perfectly balances this ultra lite setup for stress free casting. Perfection through simplicity is achievable for me and this reel adds to that experience.