Gear » Fly Reels

Find the right reel to hold up to the rigors of saltwater | Photo by Mark Sides The best saltwater fly reels for summer pair a sealed or well-maintained drag with a corrosion-resistant body — but the reel you buy matters less than how you treat it between trips, because salt seizes a reel during the wet dwell time after fishing, not during the fight. A...

Sponsored content Ready to set up your fly reel? This video is your go-to guide, packed with practical tips and easy-to-follow instructions. We break down each step of the fly reel setup process, from tying the fly line to the backing to attaching the leader.

As spring gives way to summer, fly anglers everywhere begin watching river gauges, tracking hatches, and finding any excuse possible to get on the water. From chasing trout during evening caddis emergences to sneaking away for warmwater adventures while runoff swells the rivers, this season reminds us why we love to fish in the first place. It’s also the...

Materials ListHook: Ahrex FW531 size 16 Thread: TheFlySmith 6/0 traditional Tail: Pheasant tail Legs: Partridge Resin: UV Craft Rib: Small UTC Dub: Fulling mill Superfine Tools: TheFlySmith

Images by Rick Mikesell I've talked before about how much I like vintage Ross reels. The appeal is in their simplicity, burly design, and durability that holds up over time. Among my favorites is the original Colorado, a click-pawl reel that carries all the hallmarks of a classic Ross. When Ross reintroduced the Colorado in 2016, it stayed true to the...

The Ross Animas fly reel is in the $250-500 sweet spot for steelhead reels, offering a composite drag system that delivers smooth, consistent stopping power | photo courtesy of Ross Reels A sealed disc drag with low startup inertia is the best fly reel drag system for steelhead, outperforming both click-and-pawl and unsealed disc designs in the cold, wet...

Orvis has introduced the Ratio Fly Reel as its highest-performing saltwater reel to date, aimed at anglers targeting tarpon, roosterfish, permit, tuna, and billfish. According to Orvis, the Ratio centers on a fully sealed carbon-stainless drag system engineered for smooth engagement, zero startup inertia, and 12 to 20 pounds of stopping power, depending on...

The Coors Light Cimarron LT doesn't look like a revolutionary piece of fly fishing equipment. At first glance, it's simply another beautifully machined reel from Ross Reels, finished in a luminescent silver with the familiar Rocky Mountain silhouette that has adorned Coors beer cans for decades. But dip it in cold water—or wade into a trout stream on a...

Just as saltwater fly fishers begin booking spring trips to Caribbean flats and the Florida Keys, Sage has introduced what may become the most sought-after reels of the season: the Enforcer Grand Slam limited edition series. The three-model collection pays tribute to the legendary saltwater "Grand Slam"—the rare feat of landing a bonefish, permit, and...

Gear is expensive, which makes this week one of the few times each year when the price tags ease up a bit. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now a predictable part of the fly-fishing calendar. Every season manufacturers and specialty brands offer meaningful discounts, and it is always worth paying attention. If you need travel gear, cold-weather layers, a...