Reels for Fly Fishing

Fly fishermen going after small stream trout or panyou'll like its affordability.
fish can use almost any reel to simply serve asScientific Anglers Concept 2
device to store their line. However if you are goingThere are four Concept 2 fly reels and they normally
for powerful fish like pike, steelhead or salmon,range in price from $35 up to $56. They are made
having a reel with a smooth drag and is capable offrom light, tough, composite polymer graphite and
quickly taking up line are a must have quality in yourfeature a quality disc drag system. Sizes range from
fly reel, having a reel that is well balanced and lighttrout/pan fish to saltwater game fish. The Model 58s
weight is also important to the fly fishermen whobuilt for heavy fresh and light saltwater fishing and
spends all day on the river. Keep in mind that if youhas an exposed spool for palming strong fish into
are after these qualities you are going to have togiving in. Amazingly it weighs in at just 4.3 ounces.
shell out more of your hard earned cash but you willCabela's XSS
be glad you did if like me you spend most of yourThe XSS stand for "Extreme Saltwater and Spey,"
day casting and fighting the powerful steelhead andThese are made for the larger game fish and they
salmon.too have it all from the large line capacity to their
When looking for a trout or pan fish fly reel I look atoversize paddle handle and graphite, cork and Rulon
weight and balance more then any other quality. Onedisc drag. The reel was designed for anglers who
trick I use instead of having to take a fly rod withtarget big, fast game fish. The Size 1 is the smallest
me to assure the reel is balanced is I will wrap pencilof the three, and handles 7 and 8 weight lines and
lead around the reel seat until the rod will balance at225 yards of 20-pound backing this fly reel is capable
the grip point of the rod and then I just weigh theof handling most salmon and steelhead and will run
lead and I know how heavy of a reel I can use.you about $175.00.
Now when it comes to picking out a fly reel that IOrvis Battenkill Disc Drag
will be using for salmon and steelhead I want toMany fly anglers are familiar with the Battenkill made
make sure the drag has a full range of adjustment,by Orvis' and is one of their best-selling fly reels. It is
and works smooth. You'll want a reel that can keepavailable in three models ranging in price from $79 to
up with the fish should they suddenly make a run at$89. It is machined from cast aluminum, the reel
you as well as being able to hold enough backingfeatures large disc drags and exposed rims for
when they decide to head down stream on one ofpalming. The smallest reel handles line weights from 2
their powerful runs as well. Once you find a fly reelthrough 5 and weighs just 4 ounces. The largest in
with these qualities you can start looking at thethis model only weighs 5 ounces and handles 6- to
weight and keep in mind what weight fly line you will9-weight line.
be using as well remember your fly line weight needsG. Loomis Venture
to match the weight your fly rod is designed for.Made with the quality you'd expect from G. Loomis,
Finding a reel with these qualities is the mostthe three fly reels in the Venture line are machined
important part. You can always balance the rod andfrom cast aluminum to be tough, yet lightweight.
reel by adding weight to you rod. Balance is the keyThese reels are a simple, classic design, but have
more then weight as a light rod and reel that is notquality features. The Model 7 selling at around $100 is
well balanced will tire you out faster then a heavierthe largest of the group, and weighs a mere 3.4
setup which is well balanced.ounces; it handles the 7 weight line with about 150
One thing that I have noticed is that the true diehardyards of 30-pound backing.
fly fisherman is always asking is which rod reelSage 2500 Series
combination do you prefer and I have to save afterSage, one of the world's largest manufacturers of
using several different setups that it is one that ispremium fly rods, also makes outstanding reels. The
well balanced. I truly have no preference as to thefour in its 2500 line ranging in price from $300 to
make and model as long as it feels right.$375 are more then capable of handling any fish you
I have listed a few of the fly reels that I have triedwill be going after. With a large-diameter spool for
over the years just as a starting point for you, whichfast line retrieval and the offset 3:1 gear reduction
one is best is something that you will decide as youdisc drag it is very responsive to the tiniest
determine your needs and type of fish you are after.adjustment and would make for a good choice for
(They are in no special order or preference.)the serious fly fisherman.
Pflueger 1195 AutomaticWell these are a few of the reels that I have used
Because of its ease of use and convenience,over the last few years some I own some I have
Pflueger's Model 1195 Automatic Reel has been aused and some I wish that I had but just how many
common fly reel for many trout anglers. It has anfly reels can you use at one time anyways. I hope
aluminum alloy frame which features a leveryou have a better idea as to what you need to be
controlled internal coil spring. As the angler presses onlooking for in your fly reel and it helps in your decision
the lever the reel automatically winds in the line. It'smaking. As always good luck and good fly fishing.
rather heavy though weighing in at 9 ounces, but