Freshwater Fly Fishing Reels
Shop freshwater fly fishing reels from trusted brands including Ross, Lamson, Hardy, and Galvan, with options for everything from small-stream trout and Euro nymphing to hard-running bass, steelhead, and salmon. Whether you want a lightweight click-and-pawl reel or a modern large-arbor reel with a serious drag, find the reel that balances your rod, your water, and the fish you hope is waiting on your next cast.
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Ross Colorado - Rio Grande Cutthroat
Ross ReelsThe Rio Grande Cutthroat Reel is a special edition Colorado 4/5 reel. With only 495 of these special edition reels available, each one will includ...
View full detailsRoss Colorado Fly Reel
Ross ReelsThe Colorado LT set the bar for lightweight click pawl reels. The new Colorado takes it to the next level. This thoroughly updated design brings a...
View full detailsRoss Animas Fly Reel
Ross ReelsThe 2019 Animas takes the time-proven features that made the original Animas a guide favorite and incorporates new machined features that bring it...
View full detailsRoss Evolution FS Fly Reel
Ross ReelsThe multi-award winning Ross Evolution FS reel is designed to be the most robust reel in the Ross lineup with the ability to tackle just about ever...
View full detailsRoss Evolution LTX Fly Reel
Ross ReelsThe Ross Reels Evolution series defined the modern trout reel. Now meet the award-winning Evolution LTX: the perfect combination of original Evolu...
View full detailsRoss Evolution R Fly Reel
Ross ReelsLike no other. Machining a fly reel is as much art as it is skill. Just as a perfect loop flying over the water is a thing of beauty crafted by th...
View full detailsRoss San Miguel Fly Reel
Ross ReelsA LEGEND RETURNS The return of an icon. Since Ross Reels started in 1973, there has been one model that epitomizes what a Ross Reel is: the San M...
View full detailsRoss Cimarron Fly Reel
Ross ReelsCimarrón: /sim-uh-rohn/ - wild, untamed. The original Ross Cimarron reel was introduced in the 1980’s, and quickly became a hallmark of the Ross b...
View full detailsCheeky Preload 2.0 Fly Reel - 300
Cheeky FishingLine Weight: 2-4 Target Species: Trout, Grayling, Bluegill Get loaded! The Cheeky Fishing PreLoad 2.0 300 Fly Reel comes spooled up and ready to f...
View full detailsCheeky Preload 2.0 Fly Reel - 350
Cheeky FishingLine Weight: 5-6 Target Species: Trout, Bass, Small Salmon Get loaded! The Cheeky Fishing PreLoad 2.0 350 Fly Reel comes spooled up and ready to f...
View full detailsCheeky Preload 2.0 Fly Reel - 375
Cheeky FishingLine Weight: 7-8 Target Species: Large Trout, Bass, Steelhead, Salmon, Carp The Cheeky PreLoad 2.0 375 Fly Reel is designed for fly fishing, featur...
View full detailsCheeky PreLoad Fly Reels
Cheeky FishingPreLoad 300 Fly Reel Features: S-Power Drag System Quick change spool and B2 Backing Channel Silent retrieve Lightweight 3.9 oz design Ships lef...
View full detailsHardy 1912 Perfect Fly Reel
Pure FishingBringing together some of the most iconic features from past Hardy Perfect reels, the '1912 Perfect' incorporates the famous 1912 Perfect check mec...
View full detailsHardy Lightweight Fly Reel
Pure FishingThe Lightweight series of fly reels has stood the test of time on Trout and Salmon rivers worldwide for over 80 years. The simple, classic, and fun...
View full detailsHardy Marquis LWT Fly Reel
Pure FishingA re-modeled classic Hardy fly reel. The Hardy Marquis was a main stay of the Hardy line for many years. This new edition features numerous imp...
View full detailsHardy 1939 Bougle Heritage Fly Reel
Pure FishingThe original Bougle was last produced in 1939, and many collectors believe the reel reached both its functional and aesthetic apex, even though fe...
View full detailsGalvan Rush Light Series Fly Reel
Ascent Fly FishingThe Rush Light’s quality, ruggedness and ultra-smooth, state of the art, Torque drag system does not disappoint. This high value, mid-priced, large...
View full detailsGalvan Torque Series Fly Reel
Ascent Fly FishingAs the premier reel in the Galvan range, the Torque Series reels represent the culmination of a lifetime of fly-fishing and passion for reel design...
View full detailsGalvan Brookie Series Fly Reel
Ascent Fly FishingProving that cutting-edge design doesn’t have to be complicated, the ultra-lightweight Brookie Series from Galvan is an entirely new kind of fly re...
View full detailsGalvan Grip Series Fly Reel
Ascent Fly FishingGrip fly reels are designed for those that desire a fully sealed drag system for the most extreme conditions. They have the same heavy duty, clean ...
View full detailsLamson Hyperspeed M Fly Reel
LamsonBuckle up. As we’ve said - the performance benchmark for a fly reel is retrieve rate per ounce. There's no downside to high retrieve rate other t...
View full detailsLamson Hyperspeed M8 Spool
LamsonBuckle up. As we’ve said - the performance benchmark for a fly reel is retrieve rate per ounce. There's no downside to high retrieve rate other t...
View full detailsLamson Litespeed M Fly Reel
LamsonLight-year. The distance traveled by light in a single year; the time it takes for design to evolve to a next step.What can be said about larger bu...
View full detailsLamson Litespeed M Spool
LamsonLight-year. The distance traveled by light in a single year; the time it takes for design to evolve to a next step.What can be said about larger bu...
View full detailsLamson Force SL Series II Fly Reel
LamsonUse the force. Even lighter than the original, the Force SL Series II breaks its own record as the lightest machined reel on the market. This evolu...
View full detailsLamson Force SL Series II Spool
LamsonUse the force. Even lighter than the original, the Force SL Series II breaks its own record as the lightest machined reel on the market. This evolu...
View full detailsLamson Litespeed F Fly Reel
LamsonLight-year. The distance traveled by light in a single year; the time it takes for design to evolve to a next step.What can be said about larger bu...
View full detailsLamson Speedster S HD Fly Reel
LamsonHigh octane. Following the lead of our heavy-duty Guru S HD reel, the Speedster S HD incorporates a full-cage design to capture line without failur...
View full detailsLamson Speedster S Fly Reel
LamsonA reel hot rod. A super-high retrieve rate reel, the Speedster S features a narrower spool, inboard mounted handle, and an outer diameter significa...
View full detailsLamson Purist II Fly Reel
LamsonLegends never die. A "purist" insists on adherence to traditional rules and structures. The Purist Il is a modern exception with a rich heritage. ...
View full detailsLamson Guru S HD Fly Reel
LamsonReach nirvana. The HD in this reel stands for “Heavy Duty.” The Guru S HD has both a complete cage design and type II in blaze finish. Guru S HD is...
View full detailsLamson Guru E Series Fly Reel
LamsonEliminate variables to achieve balance. A Euro nymphing reel based on our Guru S platform, the E-Series emerges to strike the perfect balance betw...
View full detailsLamson Guru S Fly Reel
LamsonTotally enlightened. Steadfast and stylish, Guru has long set a standard for enlightened excellence as a rugged, fully machined, and ultra-reliable...
View full detailsLamson Remix S Fly Reel
LamsonThe ultimate hybrid. A fusion between the free-form structures of a cast spool and the mechanical integrity of a CNC-machined case, Remix S is the ...
View full detailsLamson Liquid S Fly Reel
LamsonMore Liquid courage. When creating the first-generation Liquid, we focused purely on the virtues and advantages a pressure-cast process can offer. ...
View full detailsLamson Liquid S HD Fly Reel
LamsonHeavy Duty Liquid Courage. When creating the first-generation Liquid, we focused purely on the virtues and advantages a pressure-cast process can o...
View full detailsLamson Remix S HD Fly Reel
LamsonThe ultimate hybrid. A fusion between the free-form structures of a cast spool and the mechanical integrity of a CNC-machined case, Remix S is the ...
View full detailsLamson Hyperspeed F Fly Reel
LamsonBuckle up. As we’ve said - the performance benchmark for a fly reel is retrieve rate per ounce. There's no downside to high retrieve rate other tha...
View full detailsLamson ULA Purist Fly Reel
LamsonThe grandparent to more than 40 reel models over the span of a quarter century—the reel that started it all. The ULA remains the embodiment o...
View full detailsLamson ULA Force Fly Reel
LamsonThe grandparent to more than 40 reel models over the span of a quarter century—the reel that started it all. The ULA remains the embodiment...
View full detailsGalvan Euro Nymph Fly Reel
Ascent Fly FishingWith the sport of European Style Nymphing becoming more popular; the demand for a high performance, high quality, flyfishing reel has been met by G...
View full detailsGalvan Swing Fly Reel
Ascent Fly FishingThe all-new Swing fly reel by Galvan blends tradition with innovation, tailored for spey fishing yet versatile enough for various applications. It ...
View full detailsHardy 1921 Wide Spool Perfect Fly Reel
Pure FishingFor over 135 years, Hardy has been crafting and refining the 'Perfect' reel. Never content, our engineers are consistently striving for enhancement...
View full detailsHardy Averon Fly Reel
HardyThe core of the Hardy performance reel range, Averon delivers the quality and reliability that are the hallmarks of the Hardy brand. Its lightwe...
View full detailsHardy Resonate Fly Reel
HardyRenowned world wide for our classic click check reels, the Resonate utilizes Hardy's years of experience and on going innovation to produce t...
View full detailsHardy Averon Euro Fly Reel
HardyDesigned to meet the exacting standards of todays Euro Nymphing and technical light line river anglers the Averon 5000 EN has been designed w...
View full detailsHardy Cascapedia Fly Reel
HardyAvailable in a full 4-size range covering every fresh water application from trout to two handed Spey, the new Cascapedia reel is a stunni...
View full detailsHardy Soverign Fly Reel
HardyOne of the favorites from Hardy's past, the Sovereign reels were conceived in 1987, remained in production until the late 1990's and of...
View full detailsChoosing the Right Freshwater Fly Reel
A fly reel can be as simple as a place to store your line or become the piece of equipment standing between you and the biggest fish of your season. The right reel depends on where you fish, what you chase, and how you like to fish. A small-stream trout angler may value a light, beautifully balanced reel above all else, while an angler chasing steelhead, salmon, or big river trout may want additional backing capacity, fast line pickup, and a drag they can trust when a fish decides your side of the river is no longer interesting.
That is why there isn't one "best fly reel" for every angler—and we wouldn't want there to be.
What Should You Look for in a Freshwater Fly Reel?
Start with reel size and balance. Your reel should be appropriately sized for your fly rod and line while helping the entire outfit feel balanced in your hand. A 3-weight trout rod has very different needs than a 7- or 8-weight setup built for bass, streamers, steelhead, or salmon.
Next comes the great fly reel debate: How much drag do you actually need? For small trout and lighter applications, a simple click-and-pawl reel can be wonderfully effective—and hearing one sing when a trout runs is one of those sounds that never gets old. Bigger fish and heavier applications are where a smooth disc drag earns its keep, giving you greater control when the fish on the other end of the line has very different plans for how the fight should end.
You'll also want to consider arbor size, weight, backing capacity, durability, and retrieve rate. Large-arbor fly reels can pick up line quickly and reduce line memory, while lightweight reels can make long days on the water more enjoyable and better balance today's lighter graphite rods.
Freshwater Fly Reels for Every Kind of Angler
At Ascent Fly Fishing, you'll find freshwater reels from Ross, Lamson, Hardy, Galvan, and other proven fly-fishing manufacturers, ranging from classic designs to modern machined reels with powerful drag systems.
Fishing tiny dries to spooky trout? Keep things light and simple. Euro nymphing all day? Look for a reel that balances a longer Euro rod and helps manage thin competition-style lines and leaders. Throwing articulated streamers for big browns or chasing bass and pike? A larger arbor and dependable drag become increasingly valuable. Heading after steelhead or salmon? Capacity, durability, and stopping power move much higher on the priority list.
There is no prize for owning more reel than you need—but there is something deeply satisfying about fishing a reel perfectly matched to the way you fish.
Complete Your Freshwater Fly Fishing Setup
A great reel is only one piece of the puzzle. Pair your new reel with the right freshwater fly rod, then match the outfit with a floating fly line, sinking line, Euro nymphing line, or streamer line appropriate for the water and technique you're fishing. Don't forget the less glamorous but equally important pieces of the equation: backing, leaders, and tippet.
And once the rod, reel, line, leader, and tippet are dialed in, there remains the small matter of convincing a fish to eat something—which is where our selection of freshwater flies comes in.
Freshwater Fly Reel FAQs
What size fly reel do I need?
Start by matching the reel to the weight of your fly rod and fly line. A 5-weight rod, for example, is generally paired with a reel designed to accommodate a 5-weight line plus an appropriate amount of backing. Many reels cover several line weights, so also consider the reel's physical weight and how well it balances your rod.
Do I need an expensive fly reel for trout fishing?
Not necessarily. For many trout anglers, the reel spends most of the day holding line, and a reliable entry- or mid-priced reel can provide years of service. Premium reels become more compelling when you value lighter weight, tighter machining, refined drag systems, durability, aesthetics, or simply appreciate fishing beautifully made equipment. You don't have to spend a fortune to catch trout—but there is also nothing wrong with falling in love with a really nice reel.
Is a click-and-pawl or disc-drag reel better for trout?
Both can be excellent. Click-and-pawl reels are simple, lightweight, and downright fun to fish, particularly for trout. Disc-drag reels provide more adjustable resistance and control, which can become important when targeting larger trout or other powerful freshwater species.
What is a large-arbor fly reel?
A large-arbor reel has a larger-diameter spool, allowing it to retrieve more line with each turn of the handle. It can also help reduce fly-line memory and make it easier to recover loose line quickly when a fish turns and runs back toward you.
What reel should I use for Euro nymphing?
Euro nymphing often involves longer rods and specialized thin-diameter lines or leaders, so reel balance and line management become especially important. A slightly heavier reel can help counterbalance a long Euro rod, while full-cage or Euro-specific designs can help prevent thin lines and leaders from slipping between the spool and frame.
Can I use the same fly reel for trout, bass, and other freshwater species?
Absolutely, provided the reel has the appropriate capacity and is matched to the rod and line you're using. A quality 5- or 6-weight reel can cover an enormous amount of freshwater fishing, although anglers targeting larger bass, pike, steelhead, or salmon will generally want to step up in reel size, backing capacity, and drag performance.
Why Buy Your Freshwater Fly Reel from Ascent Fly Fishing?
We're anglers too, and gear is only valuable if it helps you spend more successful, enjoyable time on the water. Our goal isn't to tell you there is only one "right" way to fly fish; it is to help you understand your options, choose equipment that fits your water and your style of fishing, and then go put it to use.
Because in the end, a fly reel's greatest feature isn't its machining, arbor diameter, drag system, or how good it looks in your hand.
It's the fish that eventually makes it sing.