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Fly Reel

The fly reel, also known as a centrepin reel, is one of the simplest reel designs and is ironically one of the most difficult to master. The design has changed little since it was first patented by Charles F. Orvis in 1874. Although improvements have been made which allow for heavier lines and the ability to catch larger fish.

The fly reel functions by casting with one hand while the other hand releases or takes in line. Early rods had no drag employing a click/pawl device instead which kept the line from overrunning when line came out of the spool. The fisherman creating drag by pressing on the reel with his or her hand, this technique was known as ‘palming the rim.’

In the 1960’s automatic fly reels reached the height of popularity. They employed a coil-spring mechanism that would automatically take in line when a switch was flipped. They have since waned in popularity due to their extra weight and the limited amount of line that could be used.

 

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