Shop trout fly reels: lightweight reels from classic click-and-pawl to smooth disc drags, matched to every trout rod.
Trout Fly Reels Quick Picks
Best premium all-around trout reel: Ross Evolution LTX Fly Reel - Ross combined the best of the Evolution LT and Evolution R into one lightweight, large arbor reel with an ultra-smooth drag. Sizes from 3/4 through 7/8 cover everything from spring creeks to streamer rods.
Best value disc drag reel: Lamson Liquid S Fly Reel - A pressure-cast reel with a larger arbor, a pocket spar frame and spool, and a bigger, easier-to-grab drag knob. It is the reel we point people to when they want dependable performance without spending more than they need to.
Best click-and-pawl reel: Orvis Battenkill Click Fly Reel - Offered in one form or another since the 1960s, the Battenkill Click is an affordable, lightweight reel for anglers who would rather palm a running fish than set a mechanical drag.
Best ultralight reel for small streams: Galvan Brookie Fly Reel - A heavily ported 6061 aluminum frame and a minimalist Click-Ball Tension drag make this one of the lightest reels in its class. Sizes start at 0/1, so it suits backpacking rods and tiny creek outfits.
How to Choose Trout Fly Reels
Click-and-Pawl or Disc Drag
Most trout never take you into the backing, so the reel's main jobs are holding line, balancing the rod, and protecting light tippet when a good fish does run. Click-and-pawl reels like the Battenkill Click, Sage Click and Redington Zero are light, simple and traditional; you add pressure by palming the spool rim. Disc drag reels like the Liquid S and Evolution LTX give you adjustable, consistent resistance, which helps on tailwaters and big rivers where large browns and rainbows can pull hard downstream on 5X or 6X.
Size, Arbor and Backing
Match the reel to your rod's line weight, typically 2wt to 6wt for trout. A reel rated 4/5 is the most common pick for a 5wt. A large arbor picks up line faster and leaves fewer tight coils in your fly line, which is why it has become the default on most modern trout reels. You don't need huge capacity, but 50 to 100 yards of 20 lb backing fills the spool so the line winds on in bigger loops and gives you insurance on larger water.
Weight and Balance
A trout outfit should balance close to the front of the grip. Lighter reels suit short glass and graphite rods for small streams, while a slightly heavier reel helps longer rods feel less tip-heavy. Euro nymphing is the extreme case: the Orvis Hydros II Euro Fly Reel is intentionally a little heavier than the standard Hydros II to balance 10 and 11 foot rods, and its caged frame keeps thin running line and mono rigs from slipping between the spool and frame.
Machined or Cast
Machined aluminum reels like the Brookie and Evolution LTX tend to be more rigid and hold up better to drops on rocks. Cast and die-cast reels like the Zero and Liquid S keep the price down and are plenty capable for most trout fishing, as long as you treat them with a bit of care.
On-the-Water Tips
Set the drag light: On a disc drag reel, set just enough tension to stop overruns when you strip line off. You can always add pressure with your palm during the fight.
Learn to palm a click reel: With a click-and-pawl, cup your hand lightly against the exposed rim as a fish runs, and let go the moment it surges.
Get fish on the reel: Strip in slack quickly after the hook set so a bigger trout runs off the spool, not out of a tangle of loose line at your feet.
Keep sand out: Avoid setting the reel down in gravel or sand at the bank, and rinse it with fresh water if it gets gritty.
Complete Your Setup
Trout Fly Rods - Rods from 2wt through 6wt to pair with any of these reels.
Click and Pawl Fly Reels - More traditional reels for small water and classic outfits.
Fly Fishing Tippet - Fine tippet in the sizes trout fishing demands.
Trout Flies - Dries, nymphs and streamers to fill the box.
Trout Fly Reels FAQs
Q: Do I need a disc drag for trout?
A: Not always. A click-and-pawl reel is plenty for small streams and most average-sized trout. A disc drag earns its keep on big rivers, tailwaters and lakes where larger fish can run hard and you are fishing light tippet.
Q: What size reel do I need for a 5wt trout rod?
A: Look for a reel rated for 5wt line, often listed as 4/5 or 5/6. If you plan to fish heavier sink-tips or streamers on the same rod, the larger of the two sizes gives you a little more room for line and backing.
Q: Should a trout reel be large arbor?
A: For most anglers, yes. A large arbor retrieves line faster and reduces line memory. Some traditional reels use a narrower, smaller-diameter spool, and many anglers choose them for the look, sound and lighter feel on small rods.
Q: Can I use the same reel for trout and steelhead?
A: Sometimes. A sturdy 7/8 disc drag reel can cover heavy trout streamer work and single-hand steelhead fishing. A small, light trout reel built for 3wt to 5wt rods won't have the capacity or drag for steelhead.