Pflueger Supreme Fly Reel

Pflueger Supreme Fly Reel

The frame and spool of this reel are made from a light aluminum called 6061. They have lots of tiny holes, making the whole reel weigh only 8.4 ounces. It doesn’t shine much and has a smooth, satin look. The neutral colors make it match well with almost any fishing rod, and that’s a cool feature.

For the price, there’s hardly anything to complain about. Everything was just right – no loose parts or poor fits were found, and everything worked exactly as it should.

Drag System

You can easily notice the difference when you first increase the drag with the Rulon drag system. I measured the maximum pressure, and it’s only about 3 pounds once the line starts flowing on the reel.

Once the line starts flowing, the drag becomes smooth and consistent. While a smaller reel might not face this issue, a reel like this, likely intended for saltwater games, could be compromised by this characteristic.

The drag knob struck me as a bit basic and not very tall, but it’s easy to use. When you turn it, there’s a clear and crisp clicking sound, and you can feel distinct detents.

To get the last few clicks of drag power, you’ll need to put in some effort, using a bit of muscle. It typically takes two full turns to go from the minimum to the maximum drag setting.

Handle and Spool

This reel, designed for situations requiring strong cranking power, features a handle with a gradual taper and a larger size for comfortable use.

The minimal play or wiggle between the handle and the spool adds a solid feel while cranking. Despite the mild clicks, they produce a pleasant sound both when the line is being retrieved and released.

To detach the spool from the frame, simply take off the screw cap from the center of the spool. I encountered no issues or difficulties when removing or repositioning either component.