FLY REELS
38 reelsA reel's job is to stop the fish
On a trout stream the reel mostly holds line. Hook a tigerfish on the Zambezi or a bonefish on the Seychelles flats and it becomes the most important thing you own: the drag has to be smooth, strong and survive the water. Three questions match the right reel to your rod and your fish.
Your rod's weight
A reel is sized to a line weight, usually as a range like 5/6 or 7/8. Match it to your rod so the outfit balances in the hand and the spool holds the line plus enough backing.
Sets: Line weight
Fresh or salt
Salt water, sand and estuary mud destroy a drag that isn't built for them. Saltwater and brackish fishing needs a salt-safe drag and anodised, corrosion-proof parts. In fresh water you have the whole range to choose from.
Sets: Water
Stopping power
The fish decides how much drag and backing you need. A click-and-pawl reel is perfect for a 30 cm brown; a 15 kg GT needs 10 kg of smooth, sealed drag and 250 m of backing.
Sets: Stopping power · backing advice
Reel finder · 3 steps · skip any step
Let's match your reel
Step 1 of 3
What line weight is your rod?
It's printed on the rod just above the handle, e.g. "9' #5" or "5 wt". Reels come in size ranges, and we'll show the size of each reel that fits.
Rod line weight
No rod yet? Start with the rod finder and come back.
Step 2 of 3
Where will the reel be used?
This decides whether you need a salt-safe reel. Salt, sand and even brackish estuary water ruin the wrong drag within a season.
Water
Step 3 of 3
What do you need to stop?
Pick the hardest-fighting fish you'll target with this reel. Drag and backing follow the fish's size and how far it runs.
Freshwater
Saltwater
38 of 38 reels
- Stopping power
- 4/5WT
- 5/6WT
- 6/7WT
- 7/8WT
- 9/10/11WT
- Stopping power
- 6/7/8WT
- 8/9/10WT
- 10/11/12WT
- 12+WT
- Stopping power
- 4/5/6WT
- 6/7/8WT
- 7/8/9WT
- 8/9/10/11WT
- Stopping power
- 2/3/4WT
- 4/5/6WT
- 5/6WT
- 6/7WT
- 8/9WT
- Stopping power
- 1/2/3WT
- 3/4/5WT
- Stopping power
- 1/2/3WT
- 3/4/5WT
- 5/6/7WT
- 7/8/9WT
- Stopping power
- 3/4/5WT - II
- 5/6/7WT - III
- 7/8/9WT - IV
- Stopping power
- 3/4/5WT - II
- 5/6/7WT - III
- 7/8/9WT - IV
- Stopping power
- III (5/6/7WT)
- IV (7/8/9WT)
- Stopping power
- 3/4/5WT - II
- 5/6/7WT - III
- 7/8/9WT - IV
- Stopping power
- CR2 (3/4WT)
- CR3 (5/6WT)
- CR4 (7/8WT)
- Stopping power
- SL6 (6/7WT)
- SL8 (7/8WT)
- SL9 (9/10WT)
- SL12 (11/12WT)
- SL14 (14/15/16WT)
- Stopping power
- SR8 (8WT)
- SR9 (9WT)
- SR10 (10/11WT)
- SR12 (12WT)
- Stopping power
- 9/10WT
- 5/6/7WT
- 2/3WT
- 4/5WT
Navigate the world of fly reels with confidence. We carry a range of local and imported robust fly fishing reels designed for reliability, smooth drag control, balance and exceptional line management. From more traditional click and pawl options, to the latest space age fully sealed unit we have a range of fly reels that'll ensure a seamless fishing experience, in both extreme saltwater and freshwater destinations!
To help you choose the best reel speak to one of our in-store guides or shop managers, or take a look at our blog on how to choose a fly reel.
Spare spools
Carry a sinking line and swap in a minute instead of buying a second reel. Many reels list a spare spool as a size on the product page.
Not sure your reel will balance your rod?
Send us your rod model and where you're fishing. A guide will tell you which reel, which size and how much backing, usually the same day.