Best Fly Fishing Reels

Built purely for trout, the Guideline Fario is CNC-machined from 6061T aluminium in a bronze finish. Three sizes cover #3 to #7 rods, and the smallest weighs just 123g, so it sits light on a modern trout rod.

With a 630-degree adjustment range, the sealed carbon drag gives very fine control on light tippets, keeps water and grit out and tops out at 2.65lb. A narrow spool on a large arbour brings line back quickly, and a recessed reel foot sits it close to the rod.

River and stillwater trout anglers fishing dries, nymphs and small wets will get the most from it. Next to the Lamson Guru S-Series, it goes down to #3 rods and has a narrower, trout-only spool, while the Guru stretches up to #8 lines.

To be fair, it's one of the dearest reels in the guide, which is why value scores 8.0. For anyone who fishes mainly for trout, though, I think it's the best trout fly reel in this line-up.

The Lamson Guru S-Series is a machined large-arbour reel in olive green, made in a -5+ size for #4/6 lines and a -7+ for #6/8. The -5+ weighs 125g, which is light for a reel with a sealed drag.

Braking comes from a Sealed Conical Drag System, so water and grit stay away from the drag surfaces. Open porting saves weight and helps the line dry, and the updated spool geometry is built for a faster retrieve.

It suits trout anglers who split their time between rivers and small stillwaters, with the -7+ ready for bigger fish on bigger waters. Next to the Guideline Fario it's the cheaper reel and stretches to #8, while the Wychwood Drift #3/5 goes down to #3 lines and suits river nymphing.

To be fair, there are only two sizes, so anyone fishing a #3 line needs a different reel. For a trout reel with a sealed drag that should need little care, though, I think it's superb.

Dry flies and river nymphing, Euro and Czech styles included, are what the Wychwood Drift #3/5 is made for. It's CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminium in a green hard-anodised finish and takes up to a 5-weight floating line with backing.

A sealed carbon and Teflon multilayer disc drag sits in a slim body, and the full frame stops fine tippet slipping through. The deep V spool on a large arbor adds backing room, and hand changes need no tools.

If you fish small rivers with light rods, this is the one to look at. Next to the Lamson Guru S-Series it's a lot cheaper and goes down to #3, while the Guideline AURA is far dearer and moves up to #9 for sea trout and salmon.

To be fair, it's a one-job reel that won't suit stillwater #7 lines. For river anglers on #3 to #5 rods, though, I think it's a sealed, machined reel at a very fair price.

Two sizes for single-hand rods make the Guideline AURA Bronze a very versatile CNC-machined 6061 aluminium reel. The 56 takes 5 to 7 weight lines for trout and grayling, and the 78 covers 7 to 9 weights for sea trout, salmon and saltwater species.

Up to 3kg of braking force comes from a fully sealed carbon-fibre disc drag that works in fresh or salt water. The 56 weighs 138g, both sizes have large arbors for quick pick-up, and the machined drag knobs grip well with wet hands.

It's the reel for anglers who want one design from a trout lake to a salmon river. Next to the Wychwood Drift #3/5 it's dearer but far more versatile, while the Lamson Liquid S-Series is cheaper and adds two spare spools in its three-pack.

To be fair, it isn't cheap, and the two sizes start at a 5 weight. For anglers who fish for both trout and migratory fish, though, I think it's the best all-round fly reel in this line-up.

Four sizes, covering #2 right up to #10 lines, make the large-arbor Lamson Liquid S-Series Daybreak easy to match to a rod. The frame and spool are pressure-cast and machined aluminium, and the lightest size weighs 4.2oz.

Water and debris stay out of its sealed conical drag, which works in fresh or salt water and has a large, easy-grip knob. The redesigned arbor spools cleanly, and the retrieve swaps sides without tools for left- or right-handers.

Stillwater anglers who carry several lines get the most from it, especially in the three-pack with two spare spools. Next to the Guideline AURA it's a lot cheaper but cast rather than fully machined, while the Greys Fly Tail is cheaper again and has a die-cast body.

To be fair, the build scores lower than the machined Guideline and Lamson Guru reels. For a sealed drag and spare spools without a premium spend, though, I think it's a very smart buy.

The Greys Fly Tail is a die-cast aluminium reel, machined twice to remove excess metal, in 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 sizes. Its large-arbour spool is built for a rapid retrieve, and a reel pouch comes with it.

Smooth braking comes from a carbon disc drag with sealed operation, while the enclosed frame stops line escaping around the spool. The 7/8 holds a WF8 line with 80 yards of 20lb backing, which should suit most stillwater work.

Trout anglers who fish rivers and lakes on a modest budget will get plenty from it. Next to the Lamson Liquid S-Series it's cheaper and less refined, while the Guideline NOVA Cassette is dearer and comes with three cassette spools for quick line changes.

To be fair, the backing capacity is modest on the 3/4 and 5/6, and the build can't match a machined reel. For trout anglers who want a sealed drag without a big spend, though, I think it's a well-made all-rounder.

Cassette reels let you change lines by swapping in a new spool, and Guideline's NOVA Cassette #68 does it with a Minimal-Touch press release. Three polymer cassettes come in the box, one already fitted, and the #68 holds a WF7 line with 100m of 20lb backing.

The frame is recycled aluminium, and behind the cassette sits a carbon drag with wave springs and a rear fixing plate for steadier pressure. The #68 size weighs 165g and has a wide 62mm arbor for quick line pick-up.

For me, it's the best cassette fly reel in this line-up, and it suits stillwater anglers who carry a floater, an intermediate and a sinker. Next to the Greys Fly Tail, a conventional reel, it adds quick cassette changes, while the Airflo Switch Black gives you five spools but a simpler drag.

To be fair, the polymer cassettes won't feel as solid as machined aluminium. For anglers who swap lines through the day, though, I think it's a smart, well-built choice.

Five spools come with Airflo's Switch Black, four of them clear spares, plus a custom-fit reel bag to carry the lot. It's a die-cast cassette reel styled on the Switch Pro, made in #4/6 and #7/9.

The #4/6 size weighs 6.2oz and takes a WF6 line with 100 yards of backing, while the #7/9 holds WF8 with 150 yards. The spools also fit the Switch Cassette and Switch Superlite, and the drag is built to be bomb-proof.

Stillwater anglers building a set of floating, intermediate and sinking lines will get the most from it. Next to the Guideline NOVA Cassette #68, it gives you more spools but a simpler drag, while the Greys Fly Fin Cassette costs a little less and comes with two spare cassettes.

To be fair, the die-cast frame isn't as refined as a machined reel. For a five-line setup on a modest budget, though, I think it's superb value.

An all-metal, die-cast frame with a machine finish sits at the heart of the Greys Fly Fin Cassette Reel, made in 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10. It has a large arbor spool for a quick retrieve, a full disc drag and a lock-back handle.

Two spare cassettes and a pouch come in the box, so three lines are ready from day one. The 5/6 size weighs 7.2oz, and the 9/10 holds a WF10 with 150 yards of 30lb backing for bigger fish.

It's the best value pick in this line-up, and newcomers to stillwater fly fishing or anglers wanting a cheap spare reel will get the most from it. The Airflo Switch Black adds more spools, while the Guideline Aeon that follows is a far dearer heavy-line reel built for salmon and salt.

To be fair, the drag is simpler than the wave-spring system on the Guideline NOVA Cassette #68. For a first cassette reel, though, I think it's hard to beat on value.

Heavy-line fly fishing needs a big, smooth drag, and the Guideline Aeon has a 7.5kg sealed carbon one inside a CNC-machined T6061 aluminium full frame. It's made in #7/9, #9/11 and #11/13, so it covers everything from a heavy single-hander up to the biggest lines.

The #7/9 size weighs 300g, a traditional weight that counter-balances heavier classic-action rods. A winged spool nut and drag knob cut down line catches, capacity is engraved inside the foot, and it comes in a neoprene case with leather details.

For me, it's the best salmon and saltwater fly reel in this line-up. Next to the Greys Fly Fin Cassette, it's a different class of reel altogether, and the Lamson Liquid Max Cadet that follows is lighter on the wallet with an IPX8-certified drag.

To be fair, it's the dearest reel in the guide. For salmon anglers who want one heavy-line reel to keep for years, though, I think it's a superb investment.

Waterproofing is the headline on the Lamson Liquid Max Cadet, a saltwater reel whose US-made Cobalt drag carries a certified IPX8 rating. It's made in sizes 6 and 8, and the size 8 is matched to 7 and 8-weight lines.

Inside the drag are a Teflon-alloy cone, Carbon PEEK thrust washers and self-lubricating seals. The pressure-cast and machined frame uses a pocket spar design, the ultra-large arbor recovers line fast, and the big handle and drag knob suit wet, cold hands.

Anglers who fish salt water or wade deep will get the most from that waterproofing. The Guideline Aeon has a 7.5kg drag and a fully CNC-machined frame but costs far more, while the Greys Fly Tail AW is the cheaper heavy-line option with a sealed carbon drag.

To be fair, only two sizes are made, which limits your choice. For a waterproof drag at an upper-mid price, though, I think it's a superb buy.

The AW in the Greys Fly Tail AW stands for all water, and an anodising pre-treatment plus a durable paint finish let it go in salt as well as fresh. It's made in 7/8 and 9/10 from die-cast aluminium, machined in two stages.

Its sealed carbon disc drag generates more than 10lb of smooth drag, and the large arbor spool gives a rapid retrieve. The 7/8 size weighs 7.2oz and holds a WF8 with 80m of 20lb Dacron backing.

Anglers stepping up to heavier lines in fresh or salt water will get the most from it. Next to the Lamson Liquid Max Cadet, which has a certified IPX8 drag, it costs a lot less, and the standard Greys Fly Tail covers lighter lines from 3/4.

To be fair, die-cast aluminium isn't as refined as a fully machined frame. For heavier lines on a sensible budget, though, I think it's a smart Greys option.