Trout Fly Reel Reviews

Most trout reels never actually fight the fish. The drag is almost irrelevant when you're playing a 14-inch brown. But that doesn't mean your trout reel doesn't matter. Weight, balance, arbor size for quick line retrieval, and build quality all affect how your outfit feels over a long day on the water. And when you do hook the fish of a lifetime, the big wild rainbow that makes a three-run downstream sprint, you'll be glad you chose a reel with a smooth, reliable drag and enough backing.

60+ trout reels tested across the full price spectrum - from entry-level to heirloom-grade - with consistent evaluation criteria so the comparisons are actually useful. Full reviews below.