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Fly fishing is an exciting and challenging way to catch fish. Are you searching for the best fly reels? Do you know which fly reels you need? The fly reel can help make you successful when fly fishing or be the reason you think it is too difficult. In this article, we reviewed some of the best fly reels on the market to help you find the right one for your fly fishing trips.

Top Product
LAMSON Liquid Fly Reel
  • Smooth Drag
  • Quick Spool Release
  • Durable
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1. Angler Dream Fly Reel

Angler Dream Fly Reel
  • Smooth Drag
  • Quick Spool Release
  • Durable
  • Fast Line Retrieval
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The Angler dream fly reel is made of strong and durable aluminum alloy that delivers abrasion resistance and high strength. This fly reel also features a quick spool release with an easy left-to-right hand retrieval change. It also provides a fast fly line retrieval and reduces the lower line memory.

The angler fly reel also has a Teflon disc and aluminum drag system with one-way ball bearings that engage drag in one direction. You benefit from an accurate click drag and a silent retrieve.

What We Like:

Durable

Quick Spool Release

Fast Line Retrieval

Smooth Drag

2. Sougayilang Fly Fishing Reel

Sougayilang Fly Fishing Reel
  • Smooth Drag
  • Quick Spool Release
  • Durable
  • Corrosion Resistance
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This fly reel is made of CNC-machined T6 aluminum alloy which makes it durable and corrosion-resistant. With 2+1 ball bearings and a 1:1 gear ratio, this fly reel one-way roller bearing engages drag in one direction. Moreover, its arbor design provides smooth drag engagement, accurate click drag, and a silent retrieve.

Additionally, this fly reel features a quick spool release and easy left-to-right hand retrieval change. It can be used for fly fishing different species of fish like trout, salmon, grayling, and many others.

What We Like:

Quick Spool Release

Smooth Drag

Corrosion Resistant

Durable

3. Aventik Fly Reel

Aventik Fly Reel
  • Smooth Drag
  • Quick Spool Release
  • Durable
  • Silent Foward Retrieve
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This fly reel is made of polymeric material that makes it durable, lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant. It features a large arbor design for backing capacity and a fast retrieve. Moreover, the Aventik fly reel features a one-way bearing for easy conversion from the left to the right hand, silent forward retrieves, and a clear clicker sound on drag. It also has a smooth drag thanks to its rugged and central disc drag.

What We Like:

Smooth Drag

Silent Foward Retrieve

Quick Spool Release

Durable

4. Piscifun Fly Fishing Reel

Piscifun Fly Fishing Reel
  • Smooth Drag
  • Quick Spool Release
  • Durable
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This fly reel is a left-hand retrieve. It has a smooth drag with its cork/Teflon disc drag system which features a one-way clutch bearing for smooth drag engagement. It also has a mid-arbor design that reduces line memory while also facilitating quick line pickup. You also get a quick spool release with easy left-to-right-hand retrieve change.

What We Like:

Quick Spool Release

Smooth Drag

Durable

5. LAMSON Liquid Fly Reel

LAMSON Liquid Fly Reel
  • Smooth Drag
  • Quick Spool Release
  • Durable
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The LAMSON Liquid features a strong drag and is perfect for experienced as well as beginner anglers. With a pressure-cast aluminum construction on the frame and the spool, the fly reel is durable. It also features a smooth drag thanks to its sealed conical drag system.

Additionally, with a large arbor design, its backing capacity increases and it features a quicker line pick-up when you are reeling in the catch. It is set up for a left-hand retrieve which can easily be switched to the right-hand.

What We Like:

Smooth Drag

Quick Spool Release

Durable

6. ANGLER DREAM EX-ALC Fly Reel

ANGLER DREAM EX-ALC Fly Reel
  • Smooth Line Release
  • Abrasion Resistant
  • Durable
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This fly reel of the Angler dream series is made of CNC-machined aluminum construction for high durability and rigidity. This fly reel can be used for different fish like salmon, trout, grayling, and more. The fly reel has the fly line, the fly backing and the fly leader all tied together which makes it easier for you. You also benefit from a smooth line release with its low-profile aluminum alloy spool.

What We Like:

Durable

Smooth Line Release

Abrasion Resistant

7. Aventik FLK Fly Fishing Reel

Aventik FLK Fly Fishing Reel
  • Quick Spool Release
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • Durable
  • Smooth Drag
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The Aventik FLK is made of aircraft T6061 aluminum cold forged and tempered for superior strength and durability. Its surface is coated with type II hard anodized which renders it corrosion-resistant. It also features a smooth drag with its composite disc and stainless steel one-way clutch bearing system. Additionally, this fly reel has a 3D spool design that delivers a quick spool release.

What We Like:

Quick Spool Release

Smooth Drag

Corrosion Resistant

Durable

8. LAMSON Guru S Fly Fishing Reel

LAMSON Guru S Fly Fishing Reel
  • Large Arbor Design
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • Durable
  • Smooth Drag
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The LAMSON Guru S is a fully CNC machined frame and spool with an anodized finish which makes it durable and corrosion-resistant. Additionally, with its sealed conical drag system, this fly reel offers a smooth broad range of drag with a lot of power on the high end. It also features a large arbor design to increase backing capacity and quicker line pick-up while reeling in.

What We Like:

Smooth Drag

Large Arbor Design

Corrosion Resistant

Durable

9. Moonshine Fly Fishing Reel

Moonshine Fly Fishing Reel
  • Fast Retrieve
  • Easy Conversion
  • Durable
  • Smooth Dr
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This fly reel is made of forged aluminum which makes it strong and durable. It is fully sealed and features a carbon fiber stacked disc drag. Its large arbor design increases the retrieve rate and backing capacity. With this fly reel, you can easily convert from the left hand to the right hand.

What We Like:

Fast Retrieve

Easy Conversion

Durable

What to Look For When Choosing A Fly Reel

  1. Fly Reel Weight

The fly reel weight is one of the important factors to consider when choosing a fly reel. The weight of the fly reel must be the same weight of the rod; they should match.

2. Drag System

The drag system that a fly reel has is very important for being successful when fly fishing. The drag system is responsible for slowing down the fish as it allows you to set a tighter or looser line peel.

There are three drag types, namely: click-drag, disc drag, and spring-and-pawl. Click drag and disc drag are good drag systems that are in use today, however, the spring-and-pawl is an old system that is hardly used. You will have a disc drag system in the reel if you target large fish and click-drag for smaller fish.

3. Reel Material

The reel material is another factor to consider when choosing a fly reel. Most fly reels are made from CNC-machined aluminum alloy. This means that the reel was carved from a single solid piece of aluminum. Die-cast aluminum reels, on the other hand, are made by pouring molten metal into molds; they are die-cast.

4. Arbor Size

The size of the arbor is a very important factor that determines how fast it can take in line. The larger the arbor, the larger the diameter of the center of the reel. Large arbor reels retrieve lines about three times faster than a conventional fly reel.

5. Line Capacity

Line capacity is very important for a fly reel. You want a fly reel that can hold the necessary amount of fly line and backing line for the weight of the fishing rod that you are using.

6. Handle Design

The design of the handle is also an important factor to consider. It is best to physically hold the fly reel you want to purchase and mimic using it. Make sure the handle is comfortable for your hand as you will spend hours using it when fly fishing.

7. Fish Species

When choosing a fly reel, the species of fish you want to fish for must be one of the first things to consider. Each fly reel is designed for a specific species of fish. make sure the fly fishing reel you want to get is designed for the fish you want to catch.

Best Fly Reels

How do I know what size fly reel to get?
The weight of the fly reel you get should be the same weight of your rod.
What makes a good fly rod reel?
A good fly reel will have a smooth drag, a large arbor design, durable, have enough line capacity and backing line.
What size fly reel is best for trout?
If you want to fly fish for trout, a #5 or #6 will work for fly fishing trout.
What are the six basic things you need for fly fishing?
For fly fishing, you need a fly rod, reel, line backing, fly line, leaders, tippet, flies, and a floatant.
What weight fly rod is best for beginners?
A 9′ 5-weight is a good choice for beginners.
Should you walk upstream or downstream when fly fishing?
The upstream presentation is the easiest and most effective for fly fishing.
Why is fly fishing so difficult?
Fly fishing is challenging because you are nottossing a weighted lure out in the water like you do when you are spin or bait fishing. Fly fishing involves more skill and finesse as you are using the energy generated in the rod and the weight of the line to create the momentum to carry the fly to its intended destination.

The Bottom Line

Fly fishing is a fun and challenging fishing method that requires skills to be successful in using it. However, its popularity has continued to increase with anglers. In this article, we reviewed some of the best fly fishing reels on the market as well as shared the factors to consider when choosing one. If you are also interested in the best fishing rods, then read this review. You can also read about the best tackle boxes if you need to get one.

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