Fly Reels : Summary & Recommendations

Well, you've read this entire 5-article series about fly fishing reels. Yet, after all of this, you still don't really know what to get! Fear not, this summary of fly reels will review everything covered in a quick and easy to remember way. This article will even make fly reel recommendations for you so you don't get stumped when you're out shopping for a fly reel. So, let's get started.

What fly reel weight should I get? - Make sure that the fly reel weight matches, preferably precisely, the fly line and fly rod weight that you use. Thus, if you have a 5 weight fly rod and 5 weight fly line, make sure you get a 5 weight fly reel.

What kind of drag system should I get? - If fly fishing for wary trout where you must use light tippets and leaders to catch them (such as brown trout or when fly fishing in crystal clear lakes), get a spring-and-pawl drag system. This type of drag system will substantially help in preventing tippet breakage. For other fly fishing situations, a disc-drag fly reel will be the one to choose - especially if you will be fishing for larger quarry.

How Much Should I expect to Spend? - A quality fly reel isn't really that much more than a cheap fly reel that breaks the first time you look at it. A good fly reel will run between $50-$100. A "premium" fly reel, that will last a lifetime, will run between $100-$200.

Dedicated Trout Fly Reel Recommendations

Orvis Battenkill Spring-and-Pawl Fly Reel (budget)
Orvis CFO Spring-and-Pawl Fly Reel (premium)

Recommended Fly Reel for other Freshwater Species

Orvis Battenkill Disc-Drag Fly Reel (budget)
Orvis CFO Disc-Drag Fly Reel (premium)

Orvis Home Page

Page   1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Top of Page