Fly Reels do little more than store line. Only when big, hard-fighting fish are hooked is the reel used to play the fish and when the drag comes into operation. The most expensive fly reels are made from machined bar stock alloy. There is no need to spend a lot of money on a fly reel unless you are conscious of the weight or are likely to consistently hook big fish. Choose a ‘large arbour’ design which will prevent a great deal of ‘coiling’ of the fly line.
