Five years ago I switched reels on a 6-weight rod. The large arbor reel that had been paired with the rod was it’s mate for going on 15 years. I acquired a new reel, and made the decision to use it primarily on that same 6-weight. The rod felt very different, and in a good way. The reel was slightly heavier, but the rod was lighter in my hand. I perceived the tip more acutely in casting and in mending.

Why would changing a reel  have such an impact?

Swing weight. Fulcrum point. Moment of inertia. I kind of know what all of those things mean as they relate to the fly cast… but not enough to write from that perspective. What I do know is how to use a fly rod.  And I am very aware that a fly reel matters. Of course, reels matter because you need someplace to store your line and occasionally something to fight a fish. Even the presence of a fly reel  impacts the way you use your fly rod quite a bit.

Usually, performance and price are the two greatest considerations when picking out a fly reel. Both of those facets are important. But weight and balance are just as important. In some situations, weight and balance might be more important than capacity, drag, and components. Weight is just that – how  much a reel weighs. In a way, weight is relative though. A heavy reel will pair well with a heavy rod. Similarly, a light reel will pair with a light rod. Seeing as there are countless permutations of each, that is were determining the reel’s balance matters.

There is a lot of merit in the old, tried and true finger test. Here, you hold the rod and reel (spooled up, of course) with the rod extended in front of you. Then, letting go with all but your middle finger you see if the rod balances. If it tips towards you, the reel is too heavy. If it tips away from you, the reel is too light. The whole procedure is a pretty good indicator of if you’re in the ballpark of a properly matched rig.

But I’ve also heard that you’re supposed to use your forefinger in this test. And all of this makes sense for one type of cast. Cast with your finger on top of the rod and the “center” of your grip moves forward a few inches, thus changing the placement of the point for the test. Your height, your strength, your fishing conditions, and your casting stroke are all coming to impact how a reel balances for you. Oh, say you’re high-stick nymphing: that is an entirely other set of variables.

Truthfully, you’re going to have to have a rod/reel combo that is pretty out of whack to make it impossible to cast or physically uncomfortable. These days as long as you stay within the right range (4/5 reel on a 5-weight rod), you’ll probably be okay. The impact that a quarter of an ounce makes are perceptible, but for most anglers they are easily compensated for. There are exceptions, of course. An incredibly bulky saltwater reel on a light rod may actually be painful after a day of hard casting. An incredibly light reel will influence your nymphing rod’s tip towards the water as you follow your drift.

Does this mean that you need to run out and buy a new reel? Absolutely not. But I hope you’re a little curious. And if you are, there is an inexpensive way to see what you might be missing:

For a cheap, heavier reel add some lead tape. Lead tape, often used by golfers to adjust their clubs’ balance, can by applied to the reel to add a few ounces. Add a couple of inches, and then cast. You’re using the same line, so all of the conditions are equal with the exception of the reel’s weight. If you really like what you feel, and can afford to lose some backing, you can apply the tape around the inside of the spool. Done right, the balance won’t get thrown  off.

For an even cheaper, lighter reel take the spool off. This creates a cumbersome setup, but by taking the spool and line off you’re radically reducing the reel’s weight. You’re still using the same line (albeit dangling and coiled at your feet). A few inches of the aforementioned lead tape applied to the reel body and you’ll have an idea of what a reel a little lighter than yours would feel like. If this feels right, the only solution is to buy a lighter reel.

For me, making an improvement was as easy as switching reels I already owned. Some will spend hundreds to achieve greater balance. I encourage you to at least experiment with what you already own, and maybe a $3 roll of lead tape, to see if you can squeeze a little more performance out of your gear.