When selecting a fly reel, size is the factor that should be prioritized above all others. The primary reason for this is that the fly reel needs to be of a size that allows it to carry the specific type of fly line that you want to use, in addition to some of the braided backing material. Additionally, it should maintain the rod's equilibrium.
Fly lines are sold according to their line weight, and in order to fish successfully with a given line weight, you need a rod with the same line weight. Therefore, a #6 line should be used with a #6 rod, which should also be used with a reel that is designed for a #6 line. If you purchase a reel that is designed for a smaller fly line, your #6 line may not be able to fit on it. On the other hand, if you purchase a larger reel that is designed for a #8 or #9 line, it may be too heavy for your rod, causing it to feel unbalanced and uncomfortable when casting and fishing.
The majority of fly reels are designed to accommodate just a limited range of fly line sizes, such as #2-3, #3-5, #4-6, #6-8, etc., thus it is important to choose a fly reel that is compatible with both the rod and the line that you want to use with it.
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