To make your selection of a fly reel, first consider if you will be fishing fresh or saltwater. Maybe you wanta reel that will be suitable for both. Then you need to decide what AFTM rating of fly rod and line you will be using.
Where are you going to fish?
Most fly reels will give you years of trouble free performance in freshwater, but if you want to do some saltwater fishing, consider a reel which is anodised for complete corrosion resistance in saltwater.
What Reel Size?
Most reels are designed for a fly line of a specific weight, which should also correspond to the AFTM rating of your fly rod. Match reel, rod and line together and you will have a perfectly balanced outfit.
What Type of Reel? Spool or Cassette?
Reels which have a spool are can not be easily changed on the water without having an extra spool loaded with backing and line, spools are more expense to purchase than extra cassette's which cost about $10.00 each. Cassette's come in several sizes to fit most any cassette reel.
What Type Drag?
Choosing the type of drag for your fly reel is a matter of personal preference.
The Click Check Drag has no adjustment for amount of drag but can be controlled by palming the spool of the reel.
The Disc Drag system allows you to apply braking pressure as required for each time on the water.
The Turbine Drag System has a turbine impeller, immersed in a special multi-viscosity oil which produces no inertial friction at start up and increases drag as the fish runs.
STH offers a reel which combines the Turbine and Disc Drag Systems.
Most reels are easy to change from right to left hand retrieve and spare spools or cassette's are available as required.
MORE: Cortland Fly Reels | STH Fly Reels
