World's Most Expensive Fly Reels in 2023 Review

There are tons of the most expensive fly reels on the market. Here we have covered the 8 most expensive fly fishing reels available worldwide.

Fly fishing is one of the most pleasant pursuits that people have enjoyed for a long time now. Fly fishing enthusiasts frequently question how they can embrace the sport in a more spontaneous manner. Due to this, they are always in search of worthy equipment and a fly reel comes on that list.

If you appreciate fly fishing and want to have a good time, you need to invest in quality fly fishing equipment. And whether or not purchasing the more expensive fly reel is a safe bet. When choosing a fly reel, consider whether it will aid you in long-distance casting.

Fly fishers require various types of reels for saltwater, freshwater, and even fly fishing. On the market, there is a range of valuable fly fishing reels available at diverse prices. It’s best to have a list of dependable reel suggestions before going to your local fly shop. This post will cover the most expensive fly fishing reels in particular. Here are our top 8 recommendations for the most expensive fly reels on the market right now, ranging from the lowest to highest price range.

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Table Of Contents

Most Expensive Fly Fishing Reels
Final Verdict

Most Expensive Fly Fishing Reels

Here we have collected the most expensive fly reels present in the world. Most of these are saltwater fly reels used to catch big fish such as Tuna, Tarpon, Trevally, etc

8. Abel Vaya Reel

Price: $845

Abel Vaya Reel - Native Brook Trout Review

The VAYA range, designed by Colorado anglers for trout fishing, features a whole technical look and feel, as well as great performance. The reel is pretty lightweight with extraordinary stiffness, owing to its partially-ported Vaya body.

The perfect amount of surface area to spotlight Abel’s hand-coated finishes. The interior frames also include exquisite sets of CNC-milled fly patterns, one for each size of reel.

The need for any equalizer is eliminated due to a rigor-stabilized, binary ratchet drag engagement mechanic on the huge spindle.

Outgoing drag is loud; the spool’s mechanical entering clack helps with a smooth sensation. This reel is a saltwater beast, that can hold 15 pounds of drag pressure pretty easily. Abel reels are proudly made in the USA.

7. Ross Evolution R Salt Fly Reel

Price: $1200

Saltwater fishing is a difficult task. Since the conditions are harsh and the fish can be much more. So, we created the Evolution R Salt to withstand whatever the sea can throw at it. The ROSS Evolution R Salt consists of a topped-up 16-disc secured tow mechanic. Which has stainless metal and carbon fluoropolymer providing 30 pounds of towing power to halt the most persistent of permits.

All of this braking power is contained in a frame and spool that make it a sturdy and lightweight fishing reel. The enormous, frame-integrated tow node delivers an outstanding composition for reducing line hitches. Which is a grievous matter in high-paced scenarios like saltwater fishing. Moreover, swift on-the-fly accustoming can be done in the blink of an eye during extensive skirmishes with gigantic predators.

The geometry of the R Salt is reinforced throughout; resulting in a deceptively tough reel. Combining all this makes fishing equipment that is light in weight yet dynamic. If you’re managing your weight but still want top-notch performance, this is a great reel that’s well worth the money.

6. ABEL SDF Fly Reel Ported

Price: $1450

One of the freshwater variants of SDS is the SDF, which is an offshoot of the saltwater forerunner reel. For increased freshwater performance, the SDF has a comparable reel structure with fewer, lighter elements. This reel is ideal for freshwater fishing; from trout to bass, and has a tough build that will last a long time.

The SDF has outstanding drag control and virtually no start-up inertia to safeguard light tippets in trout-based situations. T

The coating on the SDF helps protect the reel from being dropped or dented. The SDF is based on a scaled-down version of the SDS reel’s 5-disc alternating sealed drag stack.

For extended reel life and worry-free angling, hand-anodizing is a powerful and durable choice.

5. SEIGLER BF FLY REEL

Price: $ 1,500

If you wanna fight huge seawater creatures such as Giant Trevally, Tarpon, Tuna, and other large fish, use SEIGLER BF FLY REEL without any hesitation. Modern, stylish, and extremely durable; A well-thought-out concept that was executed flawlessly.

With the help of a new asymmetrical spool design; ball bearing friction is reduced by more than 25%, and strain on the rotational axis is reduced significantly under load.

You can cover all aspects of modern saltwater fishing with the Seigler BF fly reels, from bonefish and permit to heavy tuna on the heaviest one-handed rods. However, you can use the unique lever drag brake mechanism to gently modulate the brake pressure throughout the fight when fishing for salmon.

There is no doubt that Seigler fly reels are one of the best fly reels currently on the market. Seifler BF fly reel combines first-class craftsmanship, modern design, high-quality materials, and new technology.

4. ABEL SDS 11/12 REEL

Price: $2,495

The Abel SDS saltwater fly reel is one of the toughest and most durable saltwater fly reels on the market. Ensuring that you will keep it for the rest of your life, no matter how much you abuse it. Simply said, Abel SDS is built to thrive in the seawater; and stop the biggest fish you’ll ever catch on a fly rod; think 150-pound tarpon, meter-long GTs, and even marlin and tuna.

The Abel SDS saltwater fly reel is manufactured of 6061-T651 Cold Finished Machined Aluminum with a hard-anodized finish. This assures the reel’s outer layers are sturdy and durable, meaning it won’t dent, ding, or lose performance if dropped down some stairs

This sealed drag saltwater reel with a marvelous design will beautify your fly rod. The incredible material used throughout the reel ensures the smoothest experience.

3. Rare Hardy C189Os 4″ Salmon Fly Reel

Price: $6,250

Rare Hardy C189Os 4″ Salmon Fly Reel Review

This Hardy Salmon Fly reel is one of the rarest fly reels; made completely from brass. The position of ball bearings in this reel makes it really interesting. The drag is made up of a totally sealed Rulon system that may be adjusted indefinitely. The drag knob’s slightest movements increase outgoing resistance significantly, allowing you to dial in a precise level of control in every situation. It’s also remarkably lightweight.

Hardy Salmon is an impressive reel with a strong drag and a smooth cassette mechanism. It is among the most elegant all-brass masterpieces I have ever seen.

Overall, it’s a fantastically adaptable piece of equipment that provides all of the stopping power a salmon angler requires, and perhaps more. The tough C1890 is a superb choice whether you’re searching for a new reel for Euro nymphing or using it on a standard rig.

2. Hardy Zane Ti Saltwater Fly Reel

Price : $9,700

The Hardy Zane Ti Saltwater Fly Reel is the pinnacle of modern fly fishing gear. Combining the best design, materials, and craftsmanship to create the greatest saltwater fly reel. Out of all the reels present to date “T” and “I” make this limited edition stand out; due to the fact that they follow the mechanics of retro Hardy Zane Saltwater Fly Reel which is a work of art itself.

Hardy Titanium has an unrivaled strength-to-weight ratio; although being 45 percent lighter than steel, it is as strong as steel. Hardy’s talented reel engineers then focused on creating a drag mechanism worthy of such a rare fishing reel, capable of stopping the largest, most powerful Saltwater species.

Even if you submerge the Zane Ti in your desired fishing areas for a couple of decades. You would find it spotless once you remove the barnacles. Whether you’re targeting Giant Trevally, Permit, or Tarpon, the Zane Ti’s fully sealed Teflon drag system will stop them in their tracks with the very durable, specifically built, woven Carbon Fibre disc.

1. Hardy Hotspur Cascapedia Reel No 001 -World’s Most Expensive Fly Reel

Price: $60,700

The Hardy Hotspur Cascapedia is one of a kind in the Hardy reels edition. The 12th Duke of Northumberland designed this reel for the occasion of the 950th anniversary of The Percy Family.

Hardy Hotspur Cascapedia Fly Fishing Reel with serial no 001 was put on auction at The Atlantic Salmon Trust at their Gala Dinner dated May 25, 2017. And made a history with £55,000 on auction!

The Hotspur is based on the classic Hardy Cascapedia reel from the 1930s. Hardys of Alnwick, England constructed this high-end fly reel.

The reel with a modern design has a disc drag system and a soothing clicker sound.

Only 150 copies are available in this limited edition. The large sum of money made from the auction was vowed to be used to help the organization continue its vital mission.

The Atlantic Salmon Trust and Salmon & Trout Conservation will each receive a part of the revenues from the remaining valuable fishing reels.

Final Verdict

The most collectible fly fishing reels are usually expensive, but it’s well worth it when you consider how much time and money you’ll save in the long run. The factors to consider are its weight and durability giving a firm grip over the line roller. Overall, Hardy Hotspur Cascapedia Reel No 001 is the world’s most expensive fly reel.

To make catching larger fish easier, it may also be searched for easy drags and a dependable spool shaft.

One can refer to this list when considering a fly reel for their auctions or fly fishing vacations. The list above includes the most costly fishing reel recommendations; which are assured to deliver the best performance you’ll ever have.