How to Choose the Right Fly Reel

Yes, it's true, good or even great fly fishing reels can be just as expensive as the actual fly rod in hand. Certain reels can go upwards of a thousand dollars or more, but this sort of dollar outlay is rather luxurious. A more frequent price range for fly reels is often much more approachable. What determines this price? Well, it really comes down to the quality of materials used, the design, the drag system, and the size of the reel.

The fly reel is an important part of the equation because it houses and manages the actual fly line. Line comes in, line goes out. It is a continual process in fly fishing, so anglers do need a well-functioning reel to oversee this process. Whether you are stripping line out for a longer cast or trying to manipulate a presentation, line should peel off the reel smoothly without getting tangled.

Also, let's say that you hook a fish and it's off and running. The fly reel must maintain tension and keep the line spinning off the fly spool in a controlled fashion. Line management is key to landing fish and keeping you fishing efficiently. So what are the important considerations when choosing the right fly reel? Let's go over them.

Materials

Most fly fishing reels on the market today are made from varying qualities of aluminum. Higher-end models are machined from aircraft-grade stock, while lower-end models are poured into a mold, resulting in cast construction. Keep in mind that although the price is right, cast aluminum is more liable to break than fully machined aluminum reels.

Another important consideration is the finish on aluminum reels. Manufacturers speak of anodizing or Alox finishes. Most are either Type II or Type III finishes that create a protective layer on the surface of the metal. Anodizing helps protect the reel from gouges or dings and fights corrosion, which can be especially prevalent when fishing in salt water.

Type II anodizing is more common than Type III because it is cheaper and can be dyed with a broader range of colors. Type III is tougher, but is usually only available in black or dark gray finishes.

Some reels are made from graphite or even plastic. Although these reels provide an option to beginner fly anglers, they are unlikely to hold up over time and their overall performance is quite representative of their price tags.

Drag Systems

When it comes to drag systems, the growing trend is to utilize carbon fiber and/or steel discs that are stacked and pressed together to create tension. Some quality manufacturers continue to use cork discs. All of these materials can be found in quality fly reels, but the main determinant of performance comes down to the size of the surface area as well as the underlying design of the drag.

Click Pawl Reels

Click pawl drag systems are not known for creating much pressure, but rather a steady unwinding of the spool. Materials for these are pretty bare bones, using small metal or plastic teeth that click over small grooves in the spool's interior. Anglers wanting to create more pressure with these reels are inclined to use their palm to slow the spin of the spool and essentially create their own drag.

Some reels will use fancy wood or metal for their reel knobs, which is nice, but not overly significant in terms of performance.

Design

Well, you can start out with quality materials, but the end result can be very different from model to model. Really, the basic parts of the reel are as follows: the body, spool, drag, and bearing components. When you put these together, what we're after is a reel that spins fluidly, is user friendly, has a dependable drag system, and is durable.

Reel price is driven up with the amount of machining. A very smart trend over the past decade is the amount of porting that reels have, meaning the amount of holes cut out of the metal. What this does is keeps weight down in the body and spool of the reel. Typically, the more precision porting that a reel has, the higher the price tag.

Arbor Size

Another consideration is the size of a spool's arbor. Arbor is a term heard frequently, which refers to the diameter of the spool's interior that the backing and fly line are wrapped around. Large arbor reels have serious benefits in that line retrieval occurs much faster when reeling. Also, large arbor spools allow line to peel off the reel in larger coils, which helps reduce memory and kinked fly lines.

Drag Adjustment and Maintenance

The best drag systems are easy to adjust and provide smooth stopping power. Many folks have fallen in love with cork drags because of their smooth nature. The one problem with cork, however, is that they can require regular maintenance. The cork may wear down or become compromised by the elements that make their way into the reel. Thus, the reel may need to be taken apart, washed, and the cork may need to be oiled to stay true. Most cork drag systems are not enclosed or sealed, which makes them susceptible to degradation. However, that said, there are a few reels on the market today that do boast sealed cork drags.

Stacked carbon fiber or steel disc drags are perhaps the most dependable drag systems on the market. The more discs or overall surface area, the stronger the stopping power. But one very important design feature relies on whether or not the drag components are fully sealed. Fully sealed drag systems are the cat's meow, meaning that no maintenance is required beyond a very occasional splash down, and even that may be overkill.

Beware, there are many reels out there that brag of sealed drag systems and this is simply not true. Grit and grime will find their way in and this can seriously compromise performance. A drag that slips and sticks is, well, a reel drag.

If you are someone who likes to adjust the drag frequently, then smart observation should be directed at the drag knob. Does it look easy to turn? This is a factor.

Click Pawl Design

Reels that utilize a click pawl type drag often have a very classic look and feel. They also make a sound as the teeth click over the grooves in the spool. These drag systems do not provide much stopping power, but rather a light, steady tension. To increase tension, anglers must apply pressure with either their palms or fingers to slow down the spool. These reels are popular among anglers targeting smaller fish, or if targeting larger fish, anglers must be comfortable with the human touch.

Weight and User-Friendly Design

You could consider a reel's design as being streamlined if it is not bulky, possibly ported, and free of many pieces and parts. The weight of a reel is a serious concern out there, especially during days of seemingly endless casts. Light reels that provide efficient, smooth performance are tough to beat.

Furthermore, streamlined reels are user friendly and their pieces should fit together precisely. No one wants to deal with a spool that spins in an untrue circle or has a gap between itself and the reel body. Spools that are easy to click in and out and do not leave you with a bunch of pieces and parts in hand are much easier to deal with, especially while on the water.

Size

Your reel should match the size of your rod. Typically, reels are built to work within a range of rod sizes, such as 5/6 or 6/7. What manufacturers try to take into account is how a certain reel will balance a particular fly rod.

A rod is balanced when a loaded fly reel, including backing and fly line, keeps the entirety of the fly rod holding parallel to the water's surface when gripped appropriately at the cork. If it does not tilt either up or down, then it is an ideal fit. This is a perfect-world scenario. Some variance is no problem. Reels can be made to rest on a rod and hold line in most cases, but to really dial in casting performance and line management, balance should be considered.

Backing Capacity

Capacity is also very important. Meaning: how much backing can a spool hold for a given fly line size? Small fish and small water most likely means a small rod and small reel. No problem. These reels do not need much backing capacity, as the fish probably won't get too far away from you.

But, if we're talking saltwater game fish, large trout, salmon, or steelhead, then they're going to cover some ground, which means you had better have an adequate amount of backing. Another nice thing about reels that have generous capacities is that these spools keep the fly line from winding too tightly. Memory-filled line that leaves the reel in small coils can be pretty unruly.

Manufacturers that combine large arbor, large capacity, and lightweight reel characteristics hit it out of the park with anglers. Add a smooth and stout drag system, well then, you got the complete package.

A Note About Spey Reel Sizing

When balancing out a spey reel to a given rod, it's appropriate to have some upward tilt to the rod. The mechanism of the spey cast likes some added weight at the reel, which becomes a sort of fulcrum point. Furthermore, anglers do not need to physically lift the rod overhead, and a bit of tilt will certainly aid in line projection at the end of the casting stroke.

A pretty trusted way to pick out the correctly sized fly reel is to size up 3-4 line sizes. So, if you have an 8 weight spey rod, you'll be looking at reels that are weighted for an 11-12 weight single hand rod. Now this is ballpark, as each reel model will differ in size, capacity, and weight.

Reels for switch rods may balance out better by bumping up 2-3 line sizes, depending on rod and reel models as well as the type of fly line needed.

Where Are You and What Are You Chasing?

People who plan on days in the salt should consider reels that have strong, steady drag systems, large capacities, and an anodized finish.

Anglers who are following small trout and bass around can get away with lighter drags, less capacity, and a lower price tag.

People who are after salmon and steelhead need generous capacity and sturdy drags.

Like anything else, however, you do get what you pay for. Sometimes it is hard to sacrifice quality, no matter the application.

Manufacturer Recommendations

Here are some manufacturer recommendations for good fly fishing reels. Availability and specific models can change over time, but these brands have proven options across a range of freshwater, steelhead, salmon, and saltwater applications.

Trout and Bass

• Sage
• Bauer
• Lamson
• Ross
• Nautilus
• Hardy
• Galvan
• Redington
• Echo

Saltwater

• Nautilus
• Tibor
• Abel
• Sage
• Lamson
• Galvan

Salmon and Steelhead

• Sage
• Nautilus
• Hardy
• Lamson
• Tibor
• Ross
• Bauer
• Abel
• Galvan
• Redington
• Echo

Final Thoughts

In closing, the reel is one of the most essential parts of your fly fishing setup, offering not just functionality but also an element of precision and performance that enhances your experience on the water.

When selecting a fly reel, consider the type of fishing you'll be doing. For example, freshwater anglers targeting smaller fish will need a reel that is lightweight yet durable, while saltwater fishermen require corrosion-resistant reels that can handle larger species and rougher environments.

Be sure to choose a reel that balances well with your fly rod, as mismatched gear can throw off your casting accuracy and overall comfort. It's hard to beat a well-balanced rod and reel setup.

Beyond function, the design of the reel also plays a role in your fishing success. Reels with a smooth drag system are important for ensuring controlled line release when battling larger fish. Additionally, it's important to consider the reel's maintenance needs. A sealed drag system, for example, can help protect your reel from debris and water damage, which is especially crucial in saltwater fishing.

With so many options available, it's key to match your reel to your specific fishing style and environment, ensuring you're always ready for whatever the water throws your way.