Alternative to centerpin reel

Hello to all of the centerpin experts on this forum! I'm a fly fisher who has used conventional fly rods and reels for about fifty years. However even I, who is pretty old and stuck in his ways, can see that one can get a fantastic drift with the centerpin technique. Now the question;

I have a Cabela's 12' "Match Rod" I bought about fifteen years ago to try on the Salmon river with a conventional spin reel. I never used it but the rod looks like it would make a passable pinning rod. As I said it is 12' long, takes 4# - 8" line, has small but high framed spin guides, and a very long cork grip with just two sliding rings that can be positioned anywhere on the rod. I would only be CP'ing on the Cat, Salmon River, and maybe Elk Creek.

Since I don't know if I will really like CP'ing and don't want to spend $150 - $200 for a reel I may never use very much I was wondering if I could just use one of my Hardy Princess fly reels and remove the clicker pawl so it is always in free spool? The Princess is 3 1/2" in diameter and has a spool width of about 5/8". The spool spins very freely without the clicker pawl - probably could/would overrun if I'm not careful.

It would easily hold my normal 20# Cortland dacron backing and 150 yards of 8# flourocarbon. So what do you think - could I get by with this rig to get the essence of pinning to see if I liked it? Thanks in advance.

Trout About -

Ok, thanks for the info about the line choice but what do you think about my overall idea? Is it a lamebrained scheme or will it work well enough to let me experience long, drag free drifts?

Most of the better centerpin reels are machined and put together by hand. They are precision instruments and although you may get a free spool effect from taking the clicker out of your fly reel, you really are not going to get the feel for the ability of a true centerpin in means of startup and presentation. By all means try it to see if you like the line mending, float trotting aspect of the technique but dont base your opinion of centerpinning solely on using a modified fly reel. I can assure you it will not be the same.

Like 18 said, it won't be the same, but it may work good enough to give you a feel for it to see if it's worth investing in.

As far as your rod is concerned, I'm sure it would be fine. On the bigger water it may be a little short, but just shorten your drifts. As far as the reel, It may work on Elk, but on the bigger water a 3.5 will spin like crazy. Just make sure the reel has great startup. Sounds to me like you have a good interst. Therefore I would suggest you try someone elses setup. You may get discouraged if yours doesn't perform properly. Trust me, the learning curve is tough even with good equipment.

When I first started, I used my pin for 2 years just on my noodle rod. As a matter of fact, sometimes I still used that combo in Erie. Drifts are short and you don't need much rod. I use it in central PA all the time on an 8' ultrlight. Makes a great small stream setup.

If it spins well and has good startup, then it will probably work fine. Have at it and let us know how it works. If you have problems try a baitcasting reel on that rod. That will give you a good drift. I have a few friends that do that.

Not smooth enough and line comes out in coils. Might as well use a spinning reel.

Its worth a try for sure, but what I'd do first is have someone with some pinning experience try the new set up to give you a more definite indication of whether or not the set-up will suffice as a pinning outfit.  I kinda have my doubts and feel you will encounter too much drag, especially in slower moving water; or you'd see more people walking around the streams doing it....however, you never know unless you try.  Good Luck