| Fly reels can get expensive. Do you need to | | | | by pulling on the line and not rely on the reel at all. |
| spend that much to get a high quality reel? A fly | | | | If a fly angler was to be using his 10wt fly rod |
| reel is the third most important item to a | | | | and reel to hook into a King Salmon, then the reel |
| standard fly fishing set-up, with fly fishing rod and | | | | will get a lot of use as simply pulling the line in will |
| fly line being number one and two. Let's look at | | | | not cut it. With these bigger fish that are prone to |
| the aspects that you do not want to leave out | | | | run a long ways, a quality, smooth drag system is |
| when trying to save money on a fly fishing reel | | | | essential. For this reason, it is possible to get all |
| as well as some that you can get by without, so | | | | the reel you need cheaply to outfit a 4 or 6wt |
| you can have the best fly rod for the money. | | | | rod, but as you go up in weight, price should and |
| Before you buy a fly fishing reel, it is important to | | | | will follow as the reel is depended on a lot more. |
| know a few things so that you can be confident | | | | Technique |
| you are buying a fly reel that will fit the fly rod | | | | There are a couple fly fishing techniques that will |
| you are buying, the fish you are after, and the | | | | help determine the best fly reel for the money. |
| technique you are to use. A fly reel must match | | | | Of course there are the standard setups that are |
| these aspects before it can even be considered | | | | pretty straight forward; just buy a reel that |
| as the best fly rod for the money. | | | | matches the line and rod weight and your set up |
| Size of Reel Needed | | | | should be pretty well balanced. If a fly fisherman |
| A fly reel's size is determined by the line weight | | | | was to buy a spey rod (an advanced two handed |
| (wt) you will be using. For example, dry fly fishing | | | | fly rod made for long casts), then he will want |
| for trout will typically be done with a 4wt or 5wt | | | | buy a reel that is a couple sizes bigger than the |
| rod and line. Therefore you will want to use a | | | | line he is fishing. This is because spey line is quite a |
| 4wt or 5wt reel. If a fly fisherman were to use a | | | | bit longer than traditional fly fishing lines due to the |
| 4wt fly reel just because it is inexpensive, with an | | | | ability to make longer cast. Spey rods also need |
| 8wt line, he would find out pretty fast that there | | | | bigger reels because the rods or typically long, |
| is not enough space on a 4wt reel to hold 8wt | | | | 13-14 feet, and it takes a little more weight to |
| line. Nor would the drag system be strong enough | | | | balance one out. |
| to effectively control a fish that an 8wt is made | | | | So, What Is the Best Fly Reel for the Money? |
| for such as a steelhead or salmon. | | | | The best fly reel for the money is one that |
| For a fly fishing set up to feel right the rod and | | | | covers all the basics mentioned above, but also |
| reel must have a good balance. Having a balanced | | | | fits into your budget. A good rule of thumb is to |
| fly fishing setup will help the rod load better | | | | buy the best fly fishing reel that you can afford. |
| resulting in a much further and smoother cast. A | | | | The price ranges a lot, but any model made by |
| fly fishing setup with a reel too small or big for | | | | Sage will more than get the job done at a fair |
| the rod not only feels weird but also looks weird. | | | | price. A person can spend as little as $99, or as |
| Size of Fish | | | | much as $700. All are good reels, but the change |
| It is important to purchase a reel that will be able | | | | in quality definitely makes a difference as you go |
| to handle the fish you are after. With big fish, the | | | | up in price. Do not fear though, if this is your first |
| reel becomes more of a necessity than with | | | | fly reel purchase, Sage's lower end reels will feel |
| smaller fish. For example, a 16 inch trout is going | | | | as smooth as baby skin if you only have cheap |
| to put on a good fight for a 4wt fly fishing setup, | | | | reels to compare it too. |
| but mostly a fly angler will be able to land the fish | | | | |