Sometimes the stars are in alignment, and some things are just meant to be. I was finally able to track down an early post-WWII era Hardy Perfect 2 7/8" fly reel with straight lettering and a leaded finish. In immaculate condition and with the original box. This is a ready-to-fish reel that is now being loaded with some 3.5 wt. Terenzio silk line. Yes, my old friend is now officially getting fitted with a new older friend; finally, after years of looking under every river rock, I finally tracked one down. Finding a fully functional, well-kept, fishable, solid reel from this post-WWII era is extremely difficult. It will be fished hard and complement the rod I made well over two decades ago. The pairing is what I have visualized since the rod's inception. The rod is also well into its second generation of snake guides and a new tip-top on tip section #1. The little 7' Payne 97 still goes everywhere with me. I often hear people say, “Aren't bamboo fly rods super delicate?...