Fly Fishing Reels

Fly fishing is much more art than other types of fishing, and the reels used for fly fishing are just as different as the form of fishing. Despite these differences, the choice of reel is just as critical with fly fishing as it is with bait fishing. Here are some things to consider when choosing your fly fishing reel.

Since the casting of a line in fly fishing doesn't really have much to do with the reel itself, casting is not a particularly important consideration when choosing a fly fishing reel. Having said that, however, you still want a reel that does not give you any trouble in playing the line out. The ease at which you can pull the line has more to do with the maintenance of the reel, though, than the initial quality of the reel at purchase time.

A good drag system is essential on your fly fishing reel if you plan to go after larger fish. For smaller brook trout and the like, you may use an antique rod with no drag system at all, and look quite stylish doing it! If you're going after those 40lb salmon, or worse yet, large saltwater fish, you will want a good drag system.

Another consideration when choosing a good fly reel is where you are going to be doing your fishing. If you are planning on doing saltwater fly fishing, for example, you will want to pay careful attention to the material with which your reel is made. Stainless steel is a good choice for this type of fishing, as it does not tend to be quite so susceptible to corrosion as some of the other materials you would find on freshwater reels.

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There are two basic types of fly fishing reels, single action reels, and automatic fly reels. The single action reels are the most common type and also the simplest design, consisting of a simple spool with a crank handle and a very simple drag system. Automatic fly reels have a catch mechanism built into them that causes the line to automatically reel back in. Automatic reels are not designed for fighting fish, so do not have any sort of drag mechanism built into them.

No matter what kind of fly fishing you plan to do, proper selection and care of your reel will make your fishing time much more enjoyable. Hopefully, this article helps you choose the right gear for you. Now go out there and catch those fish!