The reel and line have one job: match the rod. Get that right and the rest is personal taste. For a line matched to your exact rod, use the picker on our fly line guide, or call us at 605-341-2450.
Match everything to the rod weight
The number on your rod is the number you buy for the line and the reel. A 5 weight rod gets a 5 weight line and a reel rated for 5 weight. Reels usually cover a range, like 4/5/6. Any reel that includes your rod's weight will work.
Not sure what weight you have? It's printed on the rod just above the cork.
Still picking the rod? Start with our fly rod guide.
The line
Weight-forward floating is the default
If you fish trout in the Black Hills, buy a weight-forward floating line first. It handles dries, dry droppers, nymphs under an indicator and small streamers. That covers most of the fishing on Rapid Creek, Spearfish Creek and Castle Creek.
The Premier RIO Gold is the line we sell more of than any other. If your rod is a moderate or softer action, the Cortland 444 Peach is the better match and costs less.
When you need a sinking line
- Lakes. Most lake fishing here is a balanced leech or chironomid under an indicator, and your floating line does that fine. When you want to strip a Thin Mint or a leech through the middle of the water, an intermediate like the Cortland Compact Intermediate keeps it down.
- Streamers and pike. A sink tip like the SA Sonar Titan Sink Tip gets the fly down while the rest of the line floats. Pair it with a flashy streamer for pike at Pactola and Sheridan.
- Bass and big flies. Big, wind-resistant flies want a line with a short, heavy head, like the RIO Elite Predator.
Match the taper to your rod's action
This is the part most people miss. A line that's right for one rod can feel dead on another.
| Rod action | Line to use | Lines we'd spool up |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate or slower (glass, traditional graphite) | True to weight, long soft front taper | Cortland 444 Peach, SA Amplitude Trout Expert |
| Medium-fast (most rods sold today) | True to weight or a half size heavy | Premier RIO Gold, RIO Elite Gold, SA Mastery MPX |
| Fast | A half size heavy | SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity, SA Mastery Infinity, RIO Elite Gold XP |
| Fast rods throwing heavy rigs, big bugs or wind | A full size heavy | SA Mastery Titan |
If your fast rod feels like it isn't doing anything at 25 feet, it probably needs a heavier line. Shop all fly lines
The reel
Size
Pick a reel rated for your rod's line weight. Bigger reels in the range hold more backing, which matters for fish that run, like pike and steelhead. For Black Hills trout, the smaller end of the range keeps the outfit light.
Drag
The drag is the resistance when a fish pulls line off the reel.
- Trout: most Black Hills trout don't run far. A decent sealed drag is plenty. Spend your money on the rod and line first.
- Pike, big fish and travel: a strong, smooth sealed drag starts to matter. That's where the better reels earn their price.
Reels we sell the most of
| Tier | Reel | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Good | Echo Ion, Lamson Liquid S-Series, Redington Classic Trout | The Liquid is the reel we sell the most of. Light, sealed drag, hard to beat for the money. The Ion is the budget pick, and the Classic Trout is a good-looking trout reel. |
| Better | Galvan Torque, Ross Animas, Nautilus X-Series | Machined aluminum reels with stronger, smoother drags. A reel you will keep. |
| Best | Hatch Custom Iconic, Ross Evolution LTX, Sage ESN | Top-end reels, including limited custom colors. The ESN is built for Euro nymphing. |
Backing (free with any reel)
Backing goes on the reel under the fly line. It fills the spool so line comes in faster and gives a big fish somewhere to run. When you buy a reel from us, we put on 20 lb or 30 lb backing for free. Choose your retrieve hand on the reel page. Most right-handed casters reel with the left hand.
- 20 lb for trout reels.
- 30 lb for bigger reels, 8 weight and up.
Leaders and tippet
The leader is the clear tapered section between your fly line and the fly. Tippet is the thinner material you tie on the end as the leader gets shorter from changing flies.
- A 9' 5X leader is the default for trout. The RIO Powerflex 9' leader 3 pack is the one we sell the most.
- Carry 5X and 6X tippet. Low, clear water and small midges call for the lighter stuff. RIO Powerflex Tippet is our top seller.
- Go heavier, 3X or 4X, for streamers, hoppers and dirty water.
Buying a reel or line as a gift
A new line is one of the best gifts for someone who already fishes, as long as you know their rod weight. If you don't, a gift card is emailed right away, or call us at 605-341-2450 and we'll help you pick.
Orders of $75 or more ship free by USPS Ground Advantage in the lower 48. Under $75, shipping is $7.95 USPS or $10.99 UPS. See our holiday shipping deadlines and Shipping and Returns.
More buying guides
Questions? Stop by the shop at 1010 Jackson Blvd in Rapid City or call 605-341-2450.