Spare spools allow you to carry a range of fly lines loaded and ready to go so you can adapt quickly to changing conditions on the water.
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How do you change the spool on a fly reel?

What is the difference between a fly reel and a spool?
The reel retrieves all fly line without the angler turning the spool at all. The fly reel, instead of having a spool which is then turned by a handle, instead has a trigger. When released, the trigger allows the fly line to zip back into the reel.
How full should my fly reel be?
The most important thing to remember when loading you your reel is that you shouldn’t put so much line on that the fly line will touch the reel frame. It sometimes takes a little trial and error to get the right amount but having about a 1/4 inch of clearance to the reel frame is perfect.
Can fly reels get wet?
Fly reels can get wet, but the amount of water exposure should be kept to a minimum. If you happen to submerge your reel into the water, there is no need to panic. Take the extra time to make sure you are rinsing the reel thoroughly with fresh water.
Do fly reels matter?
The size of the fly reel definitely matters. You’ll want to choose a reel that is appropriate for the size of your rod and the type of fish you’re after. Most trout rods are between 6 and 8 weight, so you’ll want to choose a reel that matches that weight range.
How do you spool a fly reel at home?

Should fly line come off top or bottom of reel?
Always rig bottom to bottom. Therefore, when rigging a fly line to your reel it’s important to rig in a manner in which the fly line is wound off of the underside of the spool, and onto the underside of the reel.
Do I need backing on my fly reel?
However, it’s much better to have some backing on the reel first. Most reels will have room for about fifty yards of twenty pound backing. This will raise the level of your fly line up closer to the top edge of your fly reel so it won’t fly off the line in coils. Backing is also helpful when you hook big fish.
What does 5 6 mean on a fly reel?
What Does a 5/6 Weight Mean? A 5/6 weight rod is not uncommon to see. Essentially this means that the rod can hold both 5 and 6-weight line. If you do purchase one of these rods, it’s best if you go with a 6-weight line. It’ll give you a bit extra weight so you can make longer casts and get a true feel for the fly rod.
Can you fly fish in the ocean?
Eventually, you may even find yourself asking the question, can you fly fish anywhere? Yes, you can fly fish any body of water that contains fish, provided you are legally allowed to do so. This includes everything from small streams and big rivers to ponds, lakes, and even the ocean.
How much backing line should a fly reel have?
You can probably expect to put around 100-125 yards of backing on that reel and still have room to spool on your line and still have clearance from the spool supports or reel cage. Obviously less would go on a smaller or narrower-spool fly reel and more on a reel designed for a 7- or 8-weight.
How often should you change fly line backing?
How often should I change my fly line? Most fly lines need to be replaced after 100 to 250 uses. This is the point at which enough wear and tear has developed to significantly decrease their performance.
Does fly line color matter?
If you’re going to line ’em, it doesn’t matter what color the line actually is. A highly visible line might help you see and control your drift better, which many say is the number one factor that influences whether a trout will eat your fly or not in the first place.
How long does fly line last?
The life expectancy of a fly line is directly related to use. Sun, Grim, Storage and Use all degrade a fly line. This isn’t exact, but if the line isn’t abused and reasonably maintained, it should last 250 “use days”. For a full time fly fishing guide, this might be a season or two.
Why do fly reels click?
Fly reels click when a spring-loaded triangular piece of metal, called a pawl, bounces against the teeth of the fly reel’s gear. However, only reels with click-and-pawl drags will make the signature click sound. On the other hand, reels sporting a disc drag do not sound when the line gets stripped.
Can you use a freshwater fly reel in saltwater?
If you’re wondering if you can use a saltwater rod or reel in freshwater, the answer is yes. Freshwater won’t hurt your saltwater fishing rods and reels. Unfortunately, the opposite is not true. Saltwater can devastate freshwater rods and reels if you don’t quickly clean them thoroughly after use.
How do you clean a fly reel after saltwater?

How do you balance a fly rod and reel?

What line do you use for fly fishing?
For most fly fishing, the weight-forward (WF) taper is the fly line of choice. And for trout fishing, WF taper should be the first fly line any angler buys.
Can I use monofilament as fly line backing?
“The fly line is used like backing, it never comes off the reel. The thick monofilament butt section is so stiff and heavy you can cast it. It essentially substitutes for fly line but it weighs a lot less. And that’s the key to why this works.”
How much backing do I need for a 3 weight fly reel?
How Much Backing On A 3 Weight Fly Reel? A three-weight is one of the most petite sizes for fly reels. They are suitable for catching panfish and smaller trout with 25 to 50 yards of 12 pounds backing.
How long should the leader be on a fly rod?
Leader length depends on the type of fishing you are doing and the conditions, but a general guideline would be 6-12 feet long. A good place to start is with a 9-foot tapered leader. If you are fishing to spookier fish, add a section of tippet and lengthen that out to 12 feet or so.
Which hand should you reel with?
There is a good argument for the left handed reel position as it does have many advantages. You are not switching hands when you cast thus fewer backlashes. This also allows you to work top-water baits better as the moment the bait hits the water you can start reeling without switching hands.
How many fly rods do you need?
I suggest two rods, a 5-weight and an 8-weight, both 4-piece, 9-foot graphite rods, can meet 90 percent of likely fishing situations. Fly rods are rated by the weight of the line they cast, the higher the number, the heavier the rod.