Using a fly reel. Help needed!

[kgpcr]

Well i took the plunge and picked up a 9wt Sage Launch for 75.00. It was on the close out rack and was the last one they had and they took my offer. Well now he is the tough part. How does one use a fly reel. I will be fishing reds on the Kenai in Alaska. I have fished them the last few years on a spinning reel. Whith a fly reel do you let them take drag on a run like with a spining reel? How do you wind them in? I fished a lot with a fly rod as a kid buy that was for small trout and panfish in MN. There i had an automatic fly reel. Guys i need some help here!

[Poindexter]

If your reel has a good drag system, let the fish run, even on the Kenai. If the drag is substandard or is just a click pawl type drag, you're going to have to "palm" the reel to slow down the outgo our you're going to get spooled (run out of line). By the way, before you put the fly line on the reel, put as much backing on it as possible (backing is usually made out of dacron or a similar material -- check your fly shop). Unless your reel is high end, you will likely have to let go of the handle when a fish runs and let the drag do its work.

One good tip if you can afford it -- hire a good fly fishing guide and learn from him or her. I learned a lot in the early years from some very good fly fishing guides.

Good luck, be safe and have fun.