What Are Fly Reels?

Fly reels (sometimes referred to as fly casting reels) are the device on fly fishing rods that houses the fly fishing line. When using fly reels the angler strips line off the reel with one hand while casting and manipulating the rod with the other then any slack that occurs on the line is picked up by the reel spool.

The majority of fly reels you can purchase today are manually-operated reels which are known as single-action reels and come with a simple disc drag system. But as time goes on people strive for something different when it comes to fly reels and more advanced fly reels have been developed which are designed for people who are fishing for larger fish and more demanding conditions.

The difference between these newer fly reels and existing fly reels is the fact that they feature disc-type mechanical, adjustable drag systems to permit the use of lighter leaders and tippets, or to successfully capture fish that undertake long, powerful runs.

Purchasing Fly Reels

When it comes to purchasing fly reels you will notice they are often rated for a specific weight and type of fly line in combination with a specific strength and length of backing. Here at John Norris we would always advise anyone purchasing fly reels that they should be able to load the reel with the specified length of line and backing and still have sufficient room between the line and the spool's edge. All fly reels come with their own specification so you will need to check this out before setting yours up to ensure you do it correctly.

Fly Reels from John Norris

Here on the John Norris site we have a number of different fly reels for you to choose from. We currently stock fly reels from leading brands including Abel, Daiwa, Greys, Hardy, Leeda and many more.