I fish hard and usually in precarious situations, often in mountain rivers. One of those ultra expensive lacey reels probably wouldn't last me a month. Once it's dropped and spool gets bent, that's it. Off eBay I bought a used 3M Scientific Angler System 2 reel before I went to work in Alaska back in 2006. Also came with a 3-piece Hurricane 8wt "Red Bone" rod, named for Curt Gowdie's charity fishing tournament. Both had belonged to the son of an elderly couple in SC. They lost him to a tragedy (MVA?) and were thrilled his like new outfit was going to another fella about their son's age who would use it in Alaska. Apparently that was his dream. Anyway, that outfit went through the mill that summer as I fished almost every day for five months and often well into the "night" (which never became dark e.g. tying on flies at 3:00 a.m.). I must have caught a couple thousand fish with it. Sadly, just as the salmon run was taking off a big sockeye bull broke the rod above a ferrule. The Hurricane company had been picked up by South Bend and they agreed to replace the rod but only had 2-piece ones remaining. They goofed and sent me 9wt. I complained, they said go ahead and use it till 8wt comes and return the 9wt. Damned if someone didn't send me another 9wt. Their rep asked if I would be content to keep both rods. Now my brother has the twin 9' 9wt rod. Anyway, those old 3M reels were tough and reliable. Unfortunately, the drag on mine is almost worn out and finding parts is difficult since the reels are discontinued.
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Nice reel! If memory serves correctly, that reel being a "System 2" may have been manufactured by BFR - British Fly Reels, who were contracted by Scientific Angler to make those. Ross Bros. , USA, made the SA "System 4" rod/reel .... SA "System 5, 7 & 11" were made by Hardy Bros. of England.
British Fly Reels is still in business, so might be worth phone call or email to see if parts might be available.
Ross Reels is still in business, although it is now a subsidiary of a larger conglomerate - Mayfly Outdoors.
Hardy is still in business and has a well known reputation for turning out excellent fly reels, they were at one time contracted with Orvis to make a specific line - Bantenkil (?)
Scientific Angler is now a subsidiary of Orvis Co.
I can't speak for other Reels , but the Shilton & Tibor reels I have seen a fair share of use in harsh conditions, mostly saltwater. There are scratches, but drops or hard knocks on coral, in sand & saltwater, the reels have handle every bit of it. I think you'd be hard pressed to destroy one, and the warranty is top notch, short of rolling over it with a vehicle, they'll repair or replace.
Despite any of that, Orvis, TFO, Pfluger, Nautilus, etc.... have good offerings.
