Fly Fishing Reels

Choosing the Right Fly Fishing Reel

In traditional fishing, the reel is used for casting and retrieving, however the main purpose of the fly reel is to hold extra line while the rest is being worked by hand.

The available sizes for fly reels (smallest to largest) are 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10. As a rule of thumb, the larger the fish you are intending to catch, the more line you will need, and therefore a larger reel will be necessary to hold the unused line. See the table below for the Reel Size/Line Capacity breakdown:

Reel Size	Line Capacity (yds./lbs.)
3/4	75/20
5/6	100/20
5/6	100/20
7/8	200/20
9/10	250/20

As with traditional fishing, fly gear varies by size depending on your chosen location and the type of fish you are intending to catch. Fly outfits vary by weight from #1 weight, the lightest, all the way to up to #15 weight, which is designed for the largest fish. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you start somewhere in the middle with an outfit ranging from a #4 to a #7 weight. Rods, reels, and lines are marked by weight to simplify your selection process.