Question: Is there really a difference between a standard fly rod reel and “crappie reel”?

Answer: The short answer is “Yes”. Generally speaking fly rod reels are made from much higher end materials. The material is generally machined out of aluminum and also often poured magnesium. Not to mentnion the fact that fly rod reels have a much better drag system.

Crappie reels are made to for catching small pan fish… for anything of decent size (I’m saying 1lb or more) you really need to invest in a proper fly rod and reel setup.

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Reader Question: Should I Buy An Orvis Fly Reel? What do you think of it?

Matt
Denver, CO

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Answer: Well, that’s sort of a difficult question. I do own a couple of Orvis Fly Fishing Reels and can only speak from personal experience here. I’d say for the money, they are one of the best reels on the market. It has a true spin with great reliability, and my Orvis Battenkill has been extremely durable as well. So yes, I will have to say “thumbs up” and say go for it.

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Reader Question: I’m probably going to sound like an idiot for asking this here on the flyfishing reels site, but here it goes… I’ve been fishing with spinners, bait etc. since I was a kid, but after watching the movie “The River Runs Through It” I finally after 35 years of fishing bought myself an inexpensive fly rod and reel setup. The question I have is this, my reel has this ratchet type clicker but it clicks and turn in both directions. So, how do I set this up? To retrive it with right hand or can I go with left handed retrival?

Norman
Grand Rapids, MI

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Answer: That’s actually not an uncommon question and a lot of beginners ask it. When it comes to fly fishing reels it can come in a couple of different ways (in terms of how the ratchet clicker works).

The type of reel you have with both a line in / out is intended primarily for right handed retrival (so for right-handed people). If your reel comes with a line guide on both sides of the reel you can actually use it left or right handed (it won’t matter) – by the way, on some fly reels you can actually move the guide as well (in which case it won’t matter either).

Don’t worry too much about it since a fly fishing reel is a rather simple device. The ratchet clicker really is just there so that the line doesn’t keep running out…

By the way, if you ever plan to upgrade your reels and want to save money, you might want to check out eBay. Here are the latest deals you can find on eBay:

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