Fly Reel Construction

Reel Construction

Fly Reels are constructed with a metal body (the "frame"), a reel foot (used to affix the reel to the rod) and a spool (which holds the fly line and any backing.) Most reels are made of aluminum or aluminum alloys. However, graphite, titanium and composites are also used. Drag systems, whether click & pawl or disc drag, use a variety of materials. Construction of these basic parts is accomplished by two standard methods:

"Cast" reels . . . These are reels that are manufactured using a process to "cast" the various parts from a mold and then connect the pieces together by screws and/or rivets. Some are "hand-poured" into the cast, others are "injection-cast." Cast reels are the most common and least expensive of the two methods.
"Machined" reels . . . Reels using this process are "stamped" out of a single piece of "bar stock" metal, usually aluminum, resulting in a one-piece unit. These reels are characterized by their generally higher quality, and hence higher cost, than cast reels.

From these two types of construction have evolved quite a number of variations and features which can be confusing not only to the beginner, but to all fly fishers.

As covered elsewhere in this course ("selecting a fly reel"), many features are not of critical importance to the everyday fly fishing requirements for most of the freshwater fishing we do in North America. This is because for the majority of us, the primary purpose of our reel is to simply hold the fly line. We can catch all the normal-size, normal-type, freshwater fish that swim with just our basic, everyday, "traditional" single action fly reel with a click & pawl drag.

For bigger fish . . .

It is not until we take on much larger freshwater species (such as Northern Pike or Lake Trout), or sea-run fish (like Salmon, Steelhead & Char), or move out to saltwater, that we need a "beefier" reel with more "features."

"Wide Arbor" is a relatively new approach in reels. Also called "Large Arbor", their expanded width and generally greater total line capacity, along with refined drag function, is designed to have lower "start up" friction (hence less breakoff) and quicker retrieve.

"Big game reel" is the term used to describe that type of reel that is designed to endure the rigors of fishing for our largest fresh and saltwater gamefish where we must "play the fish on the reel." They may also be called "saltwater reels". Such reels are designed to handle species of fish that are strong, fast fighters. These reels have higher line capacities and heavier-duty construction, components, drag mechanisms and most are anodized for corrosion resistance.

Fish this size require a reel with stout drag system

Let's move on to a detailed look at the variety of features that have evolved to accommodate the expansion of fly fishing into every sportfishing realm: