What is drag?

And why is it important when buying Fly Fishing Reels?

When beginning to learn how to fly fish it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of the terminology related to rods and reels. One of the most common terms used when discussing fly fishing reels is “drag”. Drag is a phrase which refers to the amount of friction created between the line and spool. The amount of drag is what helps to produce a fluid, consistent cast and can increase your chances of catching, playing and reeling in large fish. There are countless reel models available and every one of them varies when it comes to the drag system. When considering which reel to purchase it is vital to understand the importance of drag and what it can do for you and your cast.

When comparing the modern reels available today you will notice that drag systems are separated into three distinct categories, Spring and Pawl, Caliper and Disc. Each of these drag systems have their own set of advantages and are found on variety of rods. Here is a brief description of the three types of drag and when they are best used;

Spring & Pawl

Spring and Pawl, or “click and pawl” as it is sometimes called is quite possibly the most common and most affordable drag system available. Fly fishing reels which use this form of drag are mainly meant for smaller, light weight fish such as panfish or trout. However, if you are an experienced fly fisherman and have mastered the skill of “palming” a reel then you could use this system for larger fish. The workings of a spring and Pawl are fairly straight forward. A spring pushes the pawl into a gear on the reel spool and as a result creates drag. Most fly fishing reels which use a spring and Pawl system will have a fixed drag tension and you will not be able to adjust the amount of drag while casting.

Caliper

The easiest way to describe a caliper drag system is to compare it to the brakes of a car. While casting, a small caliper pad pushes into the spooled line and creates the desired amount of drag. Though caliper drag systems are not as affordable as spring and pawl systems they are just as readily available and are a great choice for both beginners and experienced fly fishermen. The only drawback to caliper drag systems is that some models do not include an exposed palming rim. If you enjoy having control over your drag and plan to use palming techniques make sure to take this into consideration before making a final purchase.

Disk

The most expensive drag system available for fly fishing reels is the disk system. Found primarily on the higher end reel brands, disk systems are the best choice for fighting large powerful fish such as salmon and steelhead. Similar to the disk breaks found on a car, a disk drag system places pressure directly onto the spooled line and offers a greater amount of control and efficiency. Most disks are made of cork or Teflon both of which offer incredibly accurate precision when adjusted.

BLACK CASTING FLY FLIES FISHING REELS BF800B BF800 REEL    £6.49

SILVER LARGE ARBOR ALUMINIUM FLY REEL 7/8 + SPARE SPOOL-FLY FISHING-GREAT PRICE    £37.99

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