Fly Reels
Types
The two main types of fly reels are manual, or single-action, and automatic, but there are also several variation on these two main types. Manual fly reels are, at their most basic, a simple spool. Automatic fly reels contain a spring, like a very large watch spring, which retrieves the line, like the Shakespeare Silent Tru-arT automatic fly reel.
Features
Important Manufacturers and Models
Balanced Tackle
This section shows how you can fit any fly reel into a balanced tackle outfit. If you are starting from the "collector" end and want to first choose a specific reel you can use this table to determine what rod to pair it up with and what leaders and lines will result in the best casting action.
If you are starting from the "angler" end and want to focus on a specific fish, you can research the reels to determine which will work best for the fish you are after and go from there. For fly reels this can be a fairly simple decision: If the fish you are after is likely to make long runs and strip off a lot of line--like a bonefish--a single action reel is the only realistic option. As for other species, the automatic reels will work for a wide range.
| Type of Fishing | Reel | Rod | Leader | Level | Fly Line Double Taper |
Fly Line Weight Forward |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sunfish brook trout |
automatic | 7'--8' 3--4 oz. |
2Y | D | HDH | 4M |
| bass rainbow trout grayling |
automatic | 7'9"--8'6" 3 1/2--4 1/2 oz. |
0X | C | HCH | 6MH |
| big bass snook steelhead |
automatic or single action |
8'6"--9' | 8/5 | C | HCH | 6MH or 8H |
| tarpon salmon bonefish |
single action | 9' | 4/5 | B | GBG | 8H |