Fly fishing is a popular and rewarding technique that requires specialized equipment. One of the most crucial components of a fly fishing setup is the reel, which plays a vital role in being able to control the fly line and land a big fish.
Many people who want to start fly fishing are surprised by the high price tags attached to fly fishing reels. And, if you’re wondering the same thing, you’ve come to the right place.
Let me explain the factors that contribute to the higher costs of fly fishing reels and shed light on the value they provide to fishermen when paired with the right fly rods, including some important environmental benefits you might not have considered.
Quality Material and Craftsmanship
Two of the primary reasons for fly reels being so expensive are the use of quality materials and expert craftsmanship that goes into their production. Better craftsmanship means your fly fishing setup will last longer, work better, and feel great while you’re fighting a fish. From a sustainability perspective, these materials contribute significantly to the longevity and environmental footprint of your fishing equipment.
Below are some of the materials used to make different fly fishing reels:
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight and robust material, making it ideal for fly reels. Another property of aluminum is its ability to withstand corrosion. This also makes it good for saltwater fishing gear.
High-quality aluminum reels undergo precise machining processes to create intricate designs and mechanisms that work well. Just keep in mind that not all aluminum is of the same quality. Fly fishing gear that is made from lower-quality aluminum may be more affordable, but it will also break more easily.
From a sustainability standpoint, aircraft-grade aluminum (like the 6061 T6 used by Orvis) offers exceptional longevity—reels made from this material can literally last generations. Additionally, aluminum is highly recyclable, with recycled aluminum requiring only 5% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum. Some premium manufacturers now incorporate recycled aluminum in their production, further reducing environmental impact.
Titanium
Titanium is lighter and stronger than aluminum. It’s also even more resistant to corrosion than aluminum, making it a better material for reels. With titanium being a better material, it obviously also comes in at a higher price point. On top of that, the manufacturing costs are higher, which further increases the price.
The sustainability advantage of titanium lies in its nearly indestructible nature—a titanium component reel might outlast its owner. This extraordinary lifespan means fewer replacements over time and less waste. Though titanium mining has environmental impacts, the material’s extreme durability creates a favorable lifetime environmental equation compared to repeatedly manufacturing and disposing of less durable alternatives.
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber is a material used in a lot of different sports to make equipment much lighter whilst maintaining strength, durability, and rigidity. And, as you can guess, it does exactly that for all kinds of fishing gear.
You’ll often find high-end fly rods, reels and other fishing equipment with carbon fiber components. While carbon fiber production is energy-intensive, its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to environmental degradation mean carbon fiber components can last decades. The sustainability calculation comes down to longevity—a single carbon fiber component that lasts 20+ years creates significantly less waste than multiple replacements of lower-quality materials that fail after a few seasons.
Innovative Design and Functionality
Another thing that drives up the price of equipment is design and functionality – and fly fishing reels have seen significant advancements in design and functionality over the years. Manufacturers continually strive to introduce innovative features to enhance the experience and improve each reel’s performance.
Let’s take a look at some of the design and functionality features that may impact the price.
Drag system
High-end fly fishing reels often have advanced drag systems that provide smooth and consistent resistance when battling fish. A good drag system is built with intricate mechanisms and high-quality components in order to provide the fly fisherman with precise control and improved performance.
Arbor design
The arbor of a reel refers to the diameter of its spool. When the arbor is larger, you benefit from an increased line retrieval speed, as well as reduced line memory. All to help you catch fish more easily.
A larger arbor also means that more material is used to make the reel, which makes it more costly. There is also the concept of value that is provided to fishermen when using a reel with a larger arbor, which may contribute to price differences.
Lightweight construction
If you’ve been fishing for extended periods, you’ve probably realized that it can be quite a tiring experience when you’re holding a rod for so long. This is where lightweight construction comes into play.
Many expensive reels prioritize lightweight construction to reduce fatigue during long casting sessions and allow you to fly fish for longer. Remember all those materials we mentioned earlier? Reels weren’t always made with these. It took innovative engineering techniques to incorporate them into reel designs, whilst improving both their weight and durability.
Environmental Benefits of Investment-Grade Equipment
While not often discussed, there are significant environmental advantages to investing in higher-quality fly fishing reels that align perfectly with ethical fishing practices:
Durability: The Hidden Environmental Benefit
Quality reels are built to last for decades, not seasons. This durability represents a significant environmental advantage – every time you don’t need to replace a broken reel, you’re reducing:
- Manufacturing resource consumption
- Packaging materials
- Transportation emissions
- Waste in landfills
A premium reel might cost 3-4 times more than a budget option, but could last 10+ times longer. This dramatically reduces your lifetime environmental footprint as an angler.
Manufacturing Ethics: Higher Standards, Lower Impact
Many premium reel manufacturers have embraced more environmentally responsible production methods:
- Local Production: Brands like Abel, Tibor, and Nautilus manufacture in the USA, reducing transportation emissions and ensuring stricter environmental compliance than overseas production
- Precision Machining: Higher-end manufacturing processes often create less waste material than mass production techniques
- Ethical Materials Sourcing: Several premium brands now prioritize responsibly sourced materials and recycled metals
The Environmental Math: One Quality Reel vs. Multiple Replacements
Consider this environmental calculation: A single premium reel that lasts 20+ years versus replacing a budget reel every 2-3 seasons:
- Materials: 5-10 budget reels require 5-10 times the raw materials
- Energy: Each manufacturing cycle consumes significant energy
- Shipping: Multiple international shipments versus one domestic shipment
- Waste: Multiple disposed reels versus one heirloom piece that may be passed down
Brand Reputation and Prestige
As with most products from different industries around the world, brand reputation and prestige play a role in determining the price of a fly fishing reel.
Brands of fly-fishing reels are often steeped in history, here’s 5 you should consider if looking for a new, high-quality reel.
- Hardy: Known for their high-quality craftsmanship, their Fortuna XDS reel is considered top of the line. Hardy is an English company founded way back in 1872!
- Abel: Abel reels are highly regarded, and they offer a range of premium options. Their Super Series and Sealed Drag reels are particularly esteemed. Abel is an American company and quite youthful in comparison, being founded in 1980. Abel also stands out for their conservation partnerships and environmental initiatives.
- Tibor: Tibor reels, especially the Signature series, are renowned for their robustness and craftsmanship. Pronounced TEE-bor, their first reel came to market in 1975.
- Nautilus: Their NV-G series is considered among the top premium fly reels on the market. These reels are made in Miami and, as they say on their site, “rust never sleeps”
- Orvis: Their Mirage series is designed for heavy-duty use and is priced accordingly. Another historic company, founded in 1856, they are known for their commitment not only to quality but for their donation of 5% of pre-tax profits to good causes, particularly conservation.
Orvis Mirage Reel Close Up
Recently, I was in an Orvis store, so took a couple of pictures of a Mirage Reel to try and show the incredible craftsmanship of this flagship reel. It really is a thing of beauty!
As Orvis themselves say this reel is “Machined in the USA from strong, yet lightweight 6061 T6 aluminum barstock” (which is the same kind of alminum used in aircraft) and is also “unconditionally guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship”. This isn’t just a reel it’s a work of art! I held it in the store and it’s incredibly light too. Amazing.
Of course, you don’t always have to choose well-known brands when buying a decent reel (or any other gear), but it does usually guarantee that you’ll get something high quality and sustainable.
Sustainability Through Brand Selection
When investing in premium fly fishing equipment, it’s worth researching which companies have strong environmental initiatives:
- Orvis: Beyond their 5% pre-tax profit donations to conservation, they’ve been leaders in protecting watersheds and fish habitats
- Patagonia: Though better known for clothing, their fly fishing gear reflects their industry-leading environmental standards
- Abel: Creates special edition reels that directly support conservation organizations
- Sage: Implements sustainability practices in their manufacturing and supports various conservation efforts
Benefits of Expensive Fly Fishing Reels
When fly fishing reels are more expensive, there’s usually a good reason. As we’ve mentioned, higher-quality materials, ethical manufacturers, and excellent functionality and design all contribute to a hefty price tag.
Below are some of the benefits of buying an expensive reel:
- It’ll have superior durability and longevity.
- Its performance will be much smoother and more consistent.
- You’ll have more drag control when catching fish.
- Line retrieval and management will be more precise.
- It’ll likely be lighter in weight, which reduces fatigue.
- Casting accuracy and control may be better.
- You’ll create less environmental waste through frequent replacements.
- You’ll often support companies with stronger conservation ethics.
FAQs
Do you really need an expensive fly fishing reel?
While you don’t necessarily need a fly fishing reel that’s expensive, it does help to get one that is of higher quality (and that means a higher price point too). A more costly reel will also usually last longer, feel more comfortable, and have other benefits that will improve your overall experience. From an environmental perspective, investing in quality that lasts for decades rather than seasons is almost always the more sustainable choice.
Is fly fishing gear expensive?
Yes; fly fishing is undoubtedly an expensive sport. You have to buy a fly rod, a fly line, and a range of other fly fishing gear. All of these costs add up, and if you want higher quality fly fishing rods, reels, and other equipment, it’ll hike up the price even further.
In addition, depending on the type of fishing you’re doing, gear may cost even more. Trout fishing, for example, tends to cause you to go through many flies. If you have only started fly fishing recently, the expense might be offputting, but a great reel is a worthwhile investment – both for your fishing experience and for minimizing your environmental footprint.
Does a good fly reel make a difference?
Definitely! Using a high-quality fly reel makes a difference. Reels are made at varying levels of performance and weight, among other things. If you purchase a good reel, you’ll have a smoother experience, will become less fatigued, and will have a lot more control when trying to reel in your catch.
Does fly reel size matter?
The size of your fly reel definitely matters. Each reel is intended to handle different sized fish. They also take the size of the fly rod into account. Making sure you have a reel that is the right size for your fly rod and quarry will help to improve your overall experience.
The Long View: Quality as Conservation
When we consider the environmental impact of our fishing habits, we tend to focus on immediate concerns like lead-free weights and biodegradable fishing line. However, the durability of our primary equipment represents another important aspect of ethical angling that’s often overlooked.
By investing in a quality reel from a company with strong environmental values, you’re making a choice that benefits both your fishing experience and the waters you love to fish.
So there we have it – what brand do you prefer for your fly reels? And have you considered the environmental benefits of your fishing gear choices?