The Davos Tackle Guide to Fly Reels in Australia

Fly Reels Australia Buyers Guide

Because it contains and maintains the actual fly line, the fly reel is a vital component of the fly fishing gear setup. Line comes in, line goes out - it's a continuous process in fly fishing, therefore anglers need a good quality fly reel to control the fly fishing cast and retrieve. Whether you're trying to alter a presentation or stripping line for a longer cast, the fly line should peel off the reel cleanly and without getting tangled. Also, when you hook a fish and it takes off... The fly reel must retain tension and the line spinning off the fly spool in a controlled manner. Fly fishing line management is essential for landing fish and fishing efficiently.

What Size Fly Reel do I need?

The size of your reel should correspond to the size of your fly rod. Typically, reels are designed to function with a variety of rod sizes, such as 5/6 or 6/7 weights. Manufacturers try to consider how a specific reel will balance with a specific fly rod. When held properly at the cork of the fly rod, a loaded fly reel (backing & fly line) keeps the full length of the fly rod parallel to the water's surface. It is an ideal fit if the rod does not tilt, either up or down, but is balanced. 

Fly line capacity is also essential to consider when choosing a fly fishing reel. What this means is how much backing a spool can hold for a given fly line size. Small fish and small water most likely indicate a small rod and reel. No worries. These reels don't require a lot of backing capacity because the fish won't get too far away from you. However, if we're talking about freshwater and saltwater game fish, such as huge trout or salmon, they'll cover some ground, which means you'll need plenty of fly line backing. Another advantage of large-capacity fly reels is that their spools prevent the fly line from winding too tightly. 

Do you need Drag on a Fly Reel?

This is determined by the sort of fish you're after, the size of your tippet, and the water conditions. For smaller fish, drag on a fly reel is not required. The great majority of fish can be caught with only the line's weight.

Of course, there are always exceptions to any rule, and there are times when drag can be beneficial. Drag can provide you better control over your line while fishing for larger Australian fish or in fast-moving water. Saltwater pelagic fish require good amounts of drag pressure on the fly reel.

Do Fly Reels need Backing Line?

Yes you do - as much as your fly reel will hold. A fish can easily run a hundred feet of line out, especially when river current is present. When fishing from a boat, it can be difficult to stop close to the fish for safety concerns due to trees, rocks, and curves. This means continuing until you discover a decent spot, all the while pulling line from the reel.
Fly line backing is a length of line that extends the total length of your fly fishing reel's line. 

How do you attach the backing to the Fly line and Fly Reel?

The most common knot for attaching backing to your fly fishing reel is an arbor knot. An arbor knot is a couple of simple overhand knots forming a slip knot.
Attaching backing to the fly line is usually done with a NAIL KNOT.