Fly Reel

Fly fishing reels for river, nymphing, stillwater and saltwater

A fly reel does more than store line. It helps balance the rod, manages backing and, on stronger fish, provides controlled drag during the fight. The right reel depends on rod and line weight, fishing style and the amount of backing or line capacity you need.

This category includes manual fly reels, semi-automatic reels, spare spools and reel accessories for river fishing, nymphing, stillwater, streamer fishing, salmon and saltwater use.

Choose the reel by use

• River and trout: prioritise balance, low weight and simple operation.
• Nymphing: clean line management and comfortable recovery matter most.
• Stillwater: spare spools are useful for switching between floating, intermediate and sinking lines.
• Streamer and predator fishing: a larger arbor, reliable drag and backing capacity become more important.
• Saltwater and stronger fish: look for a robust reel with dependable drag and enough capacity for the intended line and backing.

Manual, semi-automatic and spare spools

Manual reels are the most versatile option and cover most fly-fishing situations. Semi-automatic reels make it possible to recover loose line quickly with one hand, which some anglers appreciate for river and nymphing techniques. Spare spools let you keep several line densities ready to fish without buying a complete second reel.

When comparing models, check compatibility with the rod and fly line first, then consider drag, arbor size, backing capacity, weight and the availability of spare spools.