Choosing the right fly reel as a beginner is just as crucial as the right fly rod.
While there are several other fly fishing essentials all anglers need, this article aims to shed light on the best beginner fly fishing setup, beginning with the reel.
Summary of Our Picks:
Best Overall Fly Fishing Reel for Beginners: Redington Rise
Runner-up Best Beginner Fly Fishing Reel: Lamson Liquid
Best Budget Fly Reel for Beginners: Orvis Clearwater
We have tested these reels through rigorous personal use and use with clients on guided fly fishing trips.
However, before we get to the details of what fly fishing setup is best for beginners, it’s important to understand the importance of a quality reel, learn how to pick one that’s right for you, and get a feel for what different fly reels cost.
Let’s dig right in.
Why Do You Need A Good Fly Fishing Reel?
Many people say their fly reel is simply a glorified line holder. “All it’s there for is to balance out the rod and hold the fly line,” some silly anglers may quip.
Well, in some cases, they’re not wrong.
But as a whole, your fly reel does much more than merely store your fly line. And a good fly reel will be durable and reliable too.
The reason we should invest in a good fly reel is because it helps us manage our line better and balances the weight of our rod.
Further, while the functionality of a reel is quite simple, you need it to work — every time! Thus, investing in a quality reel helps you keep fishing when the gear inherently takes some abuse.
A good beginner fly reel will allow you to strip line off the spool and reel line in with ease. It will have a reliable drag system that helps apply controlled resistance on a fish when it runs or makes sudden movements.
It will also perform well when you need to retrieve line quickly when the fish runs towards you, decreasing excess slack in the system.
So, yeah, a good reel for beginners will hold your line, but it will also do much more. But how should a beginner approach the shopping process?
How To Pick the a Beginner Fly Reel
As our general rule of thumb for any angling gear, a beginner fly fisher should never buy the least expensive reel or the most expensive one. Instead, we recommend finding one that meets the needs of your budget but, more importantly, lasts for years.
Reels in the mid-low price range are where most beginner anglers should start. Read on to learn more about the price point categories.
And read about the best beginner fly rods here.
There are many different reasons why some reels cost more (and perform better) than others. One reason is how a reel is made and whether it is machined or die-cast.
Are Machined Or Die-Cast Reels Better For Beginners?
Machined reels (manufactured using a machining process from a solid block of aluminum or other metal) are better than assembled die-cast reels (created by pouring molten metal into a mold).
Since most fly rods (even beginner models) can last for decades if cared for, there is no reason to purchase a reel that won’t also stand the test of time.
If a machined reel fits your budget, we highly recommend buying one.
Read more about machined and die-cast reels here.
What Does a Beginner Fly Reel Cost?
In the world of fly fishing, it is easy to get caught up in what fly shops tell you you need to catch fish.
The fact is, you shouldn’t buy the least expensive equipment, but it’s rarely necessary to buy the most expensive either.
Fly Fishing reels come in four price classifications.
Fly Reel Price Classifications
LOW Under ($75) – Lower quality material (sometimes plastic), assembled product, poor warranties.
We rarely would recommend these products.
MID LOW ($75 – $250) – Medium-level materials, often not fully machined, but a great reel that should last years. Made by reputable companies and have good warranties. Generally the sweet spot for beginners.
MID HIGH ($250 – $500) – High-end, fully machined reels with excellent components and materials. Generally very lightweight to help match a lighter fly rod. Great warranties. This is what many guides fish with and what we use with our clients.
HIGH ($500 – $1,500) – Specialty reels made with specific designs and the finest materials. Often the lightest of reels and the most aesthetically pleasing. Great warranties. The return for investing more than $500 in a reel typically diminishes quite a bit from the mid high price point. We only recommend investing this much if you’re a professional and a budget isn’t a concern.
Best Price Point for Beginners: Fly reels in the mid-low price range will be made with high-grade metal, some even being fully machined. They will be durable, aesthetically beautiful, and light enough to balance a beginner—or intermediate-level fly rod.
A mid-low reel is where we recommend you start your search.
Best Beginner Fly Reels
Best Overal Beginner Fly Reel – Redington Rise
This reel is known for its smooth drag, durability, and affordability in a machined aluminum reel. This reel is best for committed anglers who fish dozens of times a year, take care of their gear, and require a reel that will be functional and beautiful for years.
The Redington Rise comes in several colors, which can be important for those searching for a reel that matches the colors of a fly rod, line, and backing colors. Further, it’s the only machined beginner reel on this list.
The drag system is easily adjusted with its oversized drag knob. When testing a reel, I first always feel the smoothness of the drag knob and what it feels like to strip the line off the reel when applying medium drag pressure. The Rise doesn’t feel as smooth as a reel in the mid-high range, but it is undoubtedly the best of all beginner reels listed.
I own several Redington Rise reels for use when guiding, and I love them because they can take a beating through rugged use.
Full Disclosure: The handle grip on one of my Rise Reels popped off when fishing, which was frustrating in the moment. However, Redington quickly replaced it upon warranty request.
Additionally, the grip is a little slippery when wet. This is common amongst beginner reels as they don’t use the higher-end, non-slip materials that a mid-high reel would have.
This reel comes in line sizes 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, and 9/10.
PROS:
- Fully machined, lending to durability over the years.
- Beautiful aesthetics for a reel in this price range.
- Easy to adjust, smooth drag system.
- Backed by a reliable company, Redington (owned by Far Bank Enterprises).
- Comes with a padded reel case.
CONS:
- At over $200, this is one of the more expensive beginner fly reels.
- The grip is a little slippery.
Runner Up – Lamson Liquid
This reel offers a mix of quality and affordability. Lamson is known for its innovative designs, and the Liquid series provides a strong, moderately lightweight reel. This reel is best for weekend warrior anglers who want a reliable fly fishing tool but aren’t as financially committed to the sport… yet.
I have owned two Lamson Liquids for personal use and with clients. Both reels performed very well for the first two years, and then after getting banged up and bruised, I quickly noticed how these reels aren’t as durable as a fully-machined reel.
Had I taken better care of them (i.e., dropped them less and stored them in a padded case… which it doesn’t come with), I imagine these reels wouldn’t have had as many issues.
However, the price point on this reel at approximately $140 is nothing to be upset about.
Lamson claims this die-cast reel isn’t as easy to damage as a fully-machined reel, but I can’t entirely agree. Paint will chip off quicker over the years, and its drag system seems to require de-assembling, cleaning, and re-assembling more often.
When new, the drag system is smooth and reliable. After 50+ days of use, I noticed it was a little grittier and sometimes got stuck, requiring cleaning.
Regardless, this reel has helped me catch plenty of fish and is still multitudes better than any low-priced reel found for under $100. I recommend pairing this reel with an Orvis Clearwater Rod for a great budget setup. You can read more about the Orvis Clearwater Rod and all of our picks for the best beginner fly rods in this article.
The Lamson Liquid comes in sizes -3+, -5+, -7+, and -9+.
PROS:
- Palatable price point.
- The drag system feels as smooth as many higher-priced reels.
- Made by a reputable company with a lifetime warranty for the original owner.
CONS:
- Die-cast aluminum as opposed to machined.
- Not as beautiful as a more expensive reel
- De-assembling the reel, cleaning it, and re-assembling it can be annoying.
Best Budget Reel – Orvis Clearwater
This piece of beginner fly fishing gear screams “VALUE” and is made by an excellent fly fishing company. It is best suited for beginner anglers on a strict budget and fish less frequently.
The Clearwater reel is made for anglers who are just getting into the sport and are budget-focused. Its large arbor allows for speedy line retrieval, and its stacked disc drag system is just as strong as most mid-priced reels on the market.
This reel is similar in appearance and weight compared to the Lamson Liquid.
Lamson Liquid vs Orvis Clearwater
Let’s compare these two beginner reels: the Orvis Clearwater Reel vs the Lamson Liquid Reel. We’ve chosen the Clearwater 4-6 weight reel vs. the Liquid -5+
| Lamson Liquid | Orvis Clearwater | |
| Price | $139.99 * | $98.00 |
| Price of additional spool | $59.99 | $49.00 |
| Diameter | 3.61″ | 3.5″ |
| Width | 1.00″ | 1.18″ |
| Weight | 4.65 oz | 5.4 oz |
| Backing Capacity | 100 yds (w/ 5-wt line) | 100 yds (w/ 5-wt line) |
| How it’s made | Die-Cast | Die-Cast |
These two reels are comparable in size, weight, and how they are made. However the Clearwater is a touch bulkier and a touch less expensive.
* It appears that the Liquid is currently on clearance on the Lamson site for closer to the price of the Clearwater! Be on the lookout for this reel being phased out and/or great deals on it as Lamson brings forth new products!
The drag system on this the Lamson Liquid feels slightly clunkier than that of the Lamson Liquid and the Redington Rise but has yet to show me any signs of significant wear and tear through rigorous use. Further, after repeated guided fly fishing trips, I have yet to have to de-assemble this reel to clean it.
I’ve noted that this reel is easy to dent and scratch when setting it down without great care. However, this is not uncommon for beginner reels in general.
Although an overall good reel for under $100, the best part of this reel is that it is backed by Orvis. They are one of the best and easiest companies to work with for warranty claims.
Orvis often sells quality products for less than other brands due to the size and scale of their production line, and they have always been easy to work with when something breaks.
Moral of the story: Don’t sleep on the Orvis Clearwater Reel just because it’s the least expensive reel on the list.
The Clearwater Reel comes in sizes 4-6 and 7-9.
PROS:
- Backed by Orvis’ fantastic warranty program.
- Excellent value for $100
- Smooth and strong-ish drag system for the price.
CONS:
- Can be fussy if dented just a little bit.
- Is not available in a 3-weight size.
- You won’t likely have a 10-year reel in your quiver unless you fly fish only a couple of times a year.
Conclusion
Our choice for the best beginner fly reel is the Redington Rise. The Rise is durable, has a smooth drag, and is more affordable than other machined reels.
Remember that choosing a beginner fly reel that matches the weight of your fly rod and the type of fishing you’ll be doing is important. Additionally, we advise you to consider your budget and how much you’re willing to invest in your fly fishing gear.
Thanks for reading.
Team Slackwater.