10 Best Fly Fishing Reels 2025 in the United States

The Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel is a solid choice for fly-fishing enthusiasts, especially those looking for a pre-loaded reel. It features a durable and lightweight design made from precision CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, which ensures high-impact durability. The reel's larger CNC hollow design further reduces its weight, making it easier to handle during long fishing sessions.

With a multi-disc premium carbon and stainless steel drag system, this reel offers a silky smooth drag and immediate engagement, which can be crucial when you're trying to land a big catch. The hard anodized surface increases corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in various weather conditions. Additionally, its mid-arbor design helps improve line retrieval rates, which is beneficial for quickly reeling in your catch.

Weighing only 0.23 kilograms, this reel is lightweight and easy to operate. One notable feature is the ambidextrous hand orientation, making it versatile for both left and right-handed users. However, it's important to note that international products might have different terms, labeling, and instructions than local ones. This could pose minor inconveniences for some users. In summary, this reel is well-suited for fly-fishing enthusiasts who value durability, smooth drag performance, and lightweight design.

The Orvis Encounter Fly Rod Outfit serves as a solid entry-level fly-fishing reel and rod combo, making it a great choice for beginners. This 4-piece kit includes everything needed to get started, such as a 9' 6-wt. rod, a size II Encounter reel, and additional accessories like a rod/reel case, backing, and leader. Its lightweight construction at just 1.94 pounds means it’s relatively easy to handle, which is beneficial for those new to the sport. Plus, the 5-year guarantee from Orvis adds a layer of confidence in the product’s durability.

One of the key strengths of this outfit is its affordability without compromising on performance. The Encounter reel features a large arbor design that helps with quick line retrieval, which is essential for catching fast-moving fish like bass and trout. The rod's medium power rating is versatile, making it suitable for various fishing techniques and conditions, further appealing to novices.

The Orvis Encounter Fly Rod Outfit is a well-rounded starter kit that delivers on its promise of affordability and ease of use, making it highly suitable for beginner anglers. Those with more experience may want to look for more advanced features and materials to better suit their fishing style.

The LAMSON Guru S-Series -9+ Fly Fishing Reel is a versatile and durable option for avid fly anglers. It boasts a large arbor design, which ensures quick line pick-up and minimizes line memory, an essential feature for efficient line management. The reel is fully CNC machined and anodized, lending it excellent durability and resistance to damage and abrasion, making it suitable for various water conditions, including saltwater environments.

The proprietary sealed conical drag system stands out by offering a smooth drag performance and protecting the internal components from water and debris, ensuring reliability in different fishing scenarios. The drag knob is large and easy to grip, allowing for fine adjustments even during intense moments on the water. Weighing 14.4 ounces, it strikes a balance between being lightweight and sturdy, although it may feel slightly heavier compared to some ultra-light reels on the market.

The use of stainless steel and aluminum in its construction ensures it is both strong and corrosion-resistant. It is designed for left-hand orientation, which may not be suitable for right-handed anglers unless they are comfortable with the setup. The reel size of 9+ (8-10 wt lines) makes it versatile enough for targeting a range of fish species, from panfish to larger saltwater species. Anglers looking for a reliable and robust reel with excellent drag performance and a large arbor design will find the Guru S-Series a fitting choice, though its weight and left-hand orientation might be limiting for some users.