How to Purchase a Fly Reel (8/18/10)

Purchasing a fly reel is a lot like purchasing a fly rod in that you need to consider a few things before making your purchase. Purchase the correct fly reel for your fishing needs and it will enhance your enjoyment on the water. Purchase the wrong fly reel and it will leave you exasperated and generally pissed off! For men, think of it as purchasing a tie to go with a brand new suit. If you purchase a sharp matching tie it completes the package. If you purchase a mismatched tie it ruins the whole presentation. For women, it is like purchasing a really great pair of shoes, or so my wife tells me. She says shoes have the power to bring the whole outfit together or ruin it completely. Purchasing a fly reel is kind of like that. Personally, as an Average Joe Fisherman, I like a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. The trout ignore my presentation no matter how I dress.

When purchasing a fly reel you should consider:

• Weight of the fly rod the reel will be attached to
• Arbor size
• Drag system
• Manufacturing method
• Cost

Match the Reel to the Fly Rod

As a rule of thumb, the size of the fly reel you should purchase is in direct correlation to the weight of the fly rod you will be attaching it to. For example, when purchasing a reel to use with a three weight fly rod, the reel should be rated for a three weight fly line. Or if you are purchasing a reel for an eight weight fly rod, that you plan to use fishing for salmon, then the reel you choose should be rated accordingly.

You will find when researching fly reels that the manufacturer will list a range of fly line weights that will work with that particular reel. For example, Ross Reels manufactures their CLA C2 model for a fly line ranging from four to six weight.

If you have already determined the fly rod that meets your specific fishing needs then choosing the model of a particular fly reel will be relatively simple. If you have not yet purchased your fly rod be sure to read How to Choose a Fly Rod.

Arbor Size

When choosing an arbor size most fly fishing anglers today seem to base his or her decision on looks as much as function. In general, fly fishing reels come in three arbor sizes:

• Regular arbor
• Mid arbor
• Large arbor

regular arbor fly reel

mid arbor fly reel

large arbor fly reel

The benefit to a larger arbor reel is the ability to retrieve more line when reeling. This is especially beneficial when doing battle with larger fish, such as a steelhead, that can cover a lot of water quickly. I am not convinced however that there is an advantage to a large arbor reel when targeting smaller species such as brook trout or blue gill. I guess I am more of a traditionalist and prefer a regular arbor reel in conjunction with my lighter two or three weight fly rod. With that being said, it seems that regular arbor reels are becoming a thing of the past as more and more manufacturers focus their resources on larger arbor reels.

Drag Systems

When choosing a drag system you have two main choices:

• Click and Pawl
• Disk drag

Click and Pawl reels, like regular arbor reels, are becoming difficult to find. They are ideal for targeting smaller fish where the main function of the reel is to hold the fly line. In this application line tension or pressure is not required to control the fish.

Disk drag systems used to be associated with more expensive reels. This is no longer the case as most manufacturers offer disk drag systems in their budget models. Disk drag systems, like a larger arbor, are extremely beneficial when targeting a larger species of fish. A disk drag usually has a smooth engagement helping to protect the leader or tippet and yet has the stopping power to put the “brakes” on a charging steelhead.

You might find yourself asking, “If a disk drag is no longer more expensive than a click and pawl reel and disk drag has more stopping power why even consider a click and pawl reel?” That is a great question and I wish I had a great answer, but it truly comes down to preference. A fly fisherman who fancies him or herself more of a traditionalist will choose a click and pawl reel. I believe the majority of people however, especially those who are new to the sport, will purchase a disk drag reel just based on selection alone.

Die Cast or Machined?

Most fly reels today are made from aluminum. What separates them is the manufacturing process in which they are made and the quality of aluminum used. As a rule of thumb, cheaper reels are generally produced using a die cast mold whereas more expensive fly reels are fully machined. What that means, without getting to technical, is that a die cast reel is cheaper to manufacture thus allowing retailers to sell them for less than a machined reel. Further, because the cost to produce the reel is being kept to a minimum, cheaper inner parts are often used as well.

I would recommend that when purchasing a fly reel the potential buyer make his or her choice based on the fish being targeted. If you are fishing for a smaller species such as brook trout or blue gill, the quality of the reel is not really all that important. I would recommend that you spend the majority of your budget on a quality fly rood. It will make the experience much more enjoyable. If you are targeting a larger species such as steelhead or salmon, than a quality disk drag fully machined fly reel would be high my shopping list.

Cost

Fly reels, like fly rods, range greatly in price based. Orvis, for example, offers fly reels that range in price from $49 to $395. Abel offers reels that approach $1000. The good news is that there is a reel out there that fits every budget and every fisherman’s needs. Many reel manufactures offer quality reels from $100 and if you do your research you might even find one that is made in America.

Here are the reels I own, line rating, drag type, arbor size, species targeted and their current selling price:

• Ross Colorado, 1 to 3 weight, click and pawl, regular arbor, small trout and blue gill - $100 (discontinued)
• Teton Classic, 3 to 4 weight, disk drag, mid arbor, medium sized trout - $159
• Ross Cimarron, 4 to 6 weight, disk drag, regular arbor, large trout and bass - $155 (discontinued)
• Orvis Battenkill, 7 to 9 weight, disk drag, mid arbor, steelhead and salmon - $149

One More Word of Advice

Let what you are trying to accomplish dictate the reel you buy and pay particular attention to the warranty offered on the reel you are considering. Should you run into problems later you will want the peace of mind knowing that it will be replaced at a minimal fee.

Be sure to let me know what reel you purchase or already own by posting below.