The Drag System on a Fly Reel

There are two different types of drag systems on a fly reel that trout fishermen need concern themselves with. The drag of a fly reel is what provides tension on line. In other words, it is what regulates how easy or difficult it is for a fish to strip line off fly reel. If all you ever catch are tiny trout or small pan fish, type of drag on a fly reel is immaterial as it is unlikely a fish will ever pull out line from fly reel. On other hand, if you get a good-sized trout or bass on your line, story changes completely. Once a big fish starts pulling out line from your fly reel, fly reel suddenly becomes most important piece of equipment that you have.

In sum, for top water fly fishing, choose a fly line that is easy for you to see in all lighting conditions. For sub-surface fishing, choose a darker color fly line (most sinking lines are dark in color, so you won't have many choices!).