Any reeless anglers here ?

When the subject first came-up on the so-called social media there were many disparaging remarks re. "huck finn" cane poles and the like. Then one seasoned deep-south fly caster commented, "when you wade a small stream down here that is nothing more or less than a tunnel through a low canopy of privet hedge and bramble vines then what is the use of a reel ?"

A bit off-topic from tenkara, speaking of casting obstructing foliage....a kiddie button-pole or an ice-fishing spinning combo is even better than a fly pole in such confined situations. A casting bubble or weighted bobber allows for casting weight and a beaded nymph a foot to foot and a half below that catches most small fish that are biting.

I once went wading with an almost famous fly fisherman who had written articles and blogged etc. He had somewheres in the neighbourhood of $1,800 in gear and attire about his person. Since it was summer and about 100°F in the shade I thought the waders and flannels a bit too stiffling. Shorts and sneakers for me and a grandson's "pawpatrol" all-plastic button-pole combo. The catches, though tiny were 4 to 1 in my favour. The only way he could cast was the slow and awkward catapult method. The confining foliage wouldn't even allow a modified roll-cast.

Your thoughts ?

I like a small spinning combo for tight places.

shakespeare uglystik is a good bargain for such applications at $25 or less. I go even smaller with a 2' ice rod and smallish spinning reel. One medium and one heavy $10 sabres from the fly shack with $13 reels mounted travel about with me for impromptu bass fishing. Very sharp hooks are a must as these lack the hook-setting leverage compounded with the stretch of 6 lb. monofilament. Another negative is casting distance. So far drop-shotting 4" to 6" worms has worked better than a casting bubble or weighted bobber.

https://www.flyshack.com/DisplayItem.aspx?ItemID=118702

https://www.flyshack.com/DisplayItem.aspx?ItemID=118831&LCI=X

but quite a battle on such a diminutive rod/reel combo with such light line.

Hard to beat an 8-foot medium action bass fly rod for snaking crappies out of brush piles. You have to drop a minnow or jig straight down and pull the fish straight up or you will get hopelessly hung up. A reel is handy but not necessary.