Top Fly Reel - 2002

Actually, there are two reels that were used more than others in 2020. When a stream calls for a sealed drag, the Bauer SST reel is the most used reel I own, and for good reasons. The sealed disk drag, star drag knob, and perfect dimensions for each rod weight category makes it a high performance reel. The classic design of the reel is also impressive...it just looks right when it's locked into a classic Winston fly rod.

And since I fish a lot of tiny Rios up high in the mountains, a click-and-pawl reel is a good choice with those leetle fellers that swim in those streams. I don't really need a disk drag for trout that average 10 inches in these streams...even though they fight like they are bigger than they are. And, I do sometimes hook into a larger trout and need a reel that can handle those rare chunky ones too. For these streams, I usually lock in a VRdesign Trutta Perfetta reel. The drag resistance on this 3" clicker is perfectly tuned to these streams and, the reel has knock-out looks worthy of any classic fly rod I choose for a day of fishing.

Below are a few photos of these two fly reels taking a break on a trout stream.

Click on photo for larger view