TCold, cloudy and windy days are the worst. At least you found something that worked. I've been thinking about your frankenreel and wonder if my stradic washers under the spool will fit my Stella since they are about the same age. Apparently I lost one of the washers on the Stella and now the line doesn't spool evenly and has a slight v shape when spooling line. Going to try it and see. 34 here now with wind chill temp at 27 so think I will play inside today. Same tomorrow but with sunshine so probably try tomorrow.