Most fly fishermen will tell you that their reels are the most important piece of equipment in their arsenal. As there are different rods for certain situations so is the same for fly fishing reels. It is not required for you to drop a bunch of money on a new fly fishing reel, although you could if you want. Generally a basic fly reel is all that you will need, and work for most situations. If you make the correct choice you might not have to replace it for years to come.

You will see many trout fishermen striping their line manually instead of using the handle. When asked why, the majority reply that it is quicker doing it by hand rather than using the handle. Also stated that you get a better feel and control by holding the line in your hand.

Depending on the situation that you are in, sometimes it is better to reel the line in manually and sometimes it is preferable to use the handle. When following a large fish most people prefer to use the handle for better control. Another situation to use the handle is when you have thick foliage and there is a chance of getting your line caught. If you are moving around in the water a lot, using the handle is a good idea.

It seems that salmon fishermen reel their line in the most frequently. Salmon fishermen are more likely to be in the water fishing and this is the reason they reel their line in. The larger salmon reels are more efficient in reeling line in, than there sister trout reels.

With companies like Sage pressing research and development, fishing technology is growing by huge jumps. Using material such as graphite is also making fly fishing equipment lighter. Many fly fishing purists prefer to use the heavier older reels because it gave their rods a balance.

If you have your eye on a new fly fishing reel, consider purchasing two so that you will have a backup. You will not want to have only one reel when it goes bad in the field. A trick to help you in your decision is to mark your line weight so there will be no guesswork involved. You will save yourself a lot of time when preparing for your fishing trip.

Storing your fly reels in a storage bag is a smart decision to protect your investment. Extra reels find themselves in the bottom of tackle boxes for long periods of time. Reels in tackle boxes can get damaged without you knowing, and not finding out until critical situations.

To keep from having to change out reels and line you might consider getting two different rods. a lot of salmon fishermen will have two different rod and reel setups, one for when you want to float rod fish and one for sunk line fishing.

Make a list of your requirements before making a purchase, knowing how you will use your rod and reel and for what purposes will help immensely in your decision. Another option is to check out the Auction sites for used fly fishing equipment.