Fly Fishing Reel

Adding a good fly fishing reel to your assembly is vital to being able to snag the fish you want without worrying about technical mishaps. With four main parts to fly fishing equipment-others include the leader, line, and rod-the reel is perhaps the most important of all. The reason a fly fishing reel is so important is that it controls the movement of line as the targeted fish struggles to free itself. Without proper handling and care, you could lose prey as soon as you find it. A quality fly fishing reel will prevent this from happening and allow you to take down the creature with minimal effort.

The reel itself is located at the side of your fishing pole close to where you hold it securely in hand. Regardless of what your dominant hand is, you can safely and easily maneuver your fly fishing reel without jeopardizing your outdoor adventure. The keys to success are drag and line retrieval. Drag helps you maneuver the line as the fish struggles to free itself from the hook. Reels must be made to help you maneuver without losing control. Line retrieval is the strength by which you can get the fish from its place in the water to its new home in your cooler.

“Reeling it in” refers to the process of retrieving the line with the fish attached to the end of your hook, and, yes, there is an art form to it. Anyone can drop bait in the water and wait for something to bite. But it takes strategy and experience to bring in a fish. After all, the creature senses that something is wrong and, in its mind, is fighting for its life. If you don’t plan on throwing it back, it very well will be. So expect plenty of fight to accompany that tug on the end of your line. Just don't panic and make sure to trust your fly fishing reel to do its job. Reeling in too fast or applying too much pressure on the drag could easily lead to loss of control, so don’t take this step lightly.

The reel you choose won’t work miracles. You still need to be able to “read” the fish’s activities whether fly fishing or resorting to a more traditional approach. Fish can be unpredictable when they feel panicked. That’s why you can’t panic when you feel a tug on your line. Study movement and hone your instincts to respond to pressure with pressure when necessary. Know when to retrieve and when to allow for slack. If you can accomplish this, then you will be well on your way to becoming a better fisherman.