Click-and-pawl reels are a timeless classic. Their sound, their simple design, and their ease of maintenance all combine to create an experience that’s surprisingly simple, especially in a world that loves complexity as much as fly fishing does. My first fly reels were old Martin and Scientific Anglers click/pawls, one of which is still in use. They were rickety, gummed up from years of dirt, and didn’t do much to stop larger trout from diving into every root ball and snag in the river.
Part of that was my unfamiliarity with this style of reel. Learning to palm the spool and use my fingers to provide extra drag were huge leaps forward in my fish-fighting abilities. But newer click/pawl reels often have adjustable settings, allowing you to put the relative brakes on fish. Today’s click/pawl reels are lighter, they’re gorgeous examples of craftsmanship, and they’re often more than enough reel for most trout fishing. Here are our favorite click-and-pawl reels.
Best Click-and-Pawl Reels of 2025
- Best Overall: Hardy Wide Spool Perfect
- Runner-Up: Ross Colorado
- Best Value: Orvis Battenkill Click
- Most Customizable: Abel TR
- USA-Made Value: Galvan Brookie
Testing Process
I’ve had the chance to fish all of these reels, with the exception of the Ross Colorado. Plenty of anglers I personally know and respect, however, have nothing but great things to say about the Colorado, and I picked their brains for this review.
Most of my trout fishing is here in Wyoming, where I alternate between the high country freestone streams and low-lying tailwaters. I’m on the water about 150 days a year, so I’m able to give these reels a true run for their money.
Best Overall: Hardy Wide Spool Perfect
Best Overall
Hardy Wide Spool Perfect
Key Features
- Timeless design that still looks incredible
- Smooth, adjustable click system
- MSRP: $775.00
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Simple drag adjustment system
- Gorgeous sound when fish take line
Cons
- Expensive
- A bit heavy
This reel ain’t cheap, but it’s head-and-shoulders above the rest of the pack. Part of that is Hardy’s brand presence. Their products exude a quality and a heritage that others can’t quite match. I know the styling might not be for everyone, but I thought the Wide Spool Perfect looked amazing on a wide array of rods, including my new Seven Eleven Orvis Superfine Graphite rod.
It also sounds the best, to my ear, of all the reels on this list, when fish start peeling off line. Adjusting tension on the click-pawl system is simple, and it provides a surprising amount of heft, even for larger trout. I had no problems palming this reel, in conjunction with its drag, to pull fish from snags, or offer resistance to their runs.
It’s a bit heavy, but the craftsmanship means this is an heirloom-quality item that’ll last longer than any of us. If I wanted the best, I’d look nowhere else than the Wide Spool Perfect.
Runner-Up: Ross Colorado
Runner-up
Ross Colorado
Key Features
- Lightweight performance
- Tons of color options
- MSRP: $379.00
Pros
- Updated design for aerodynamic surfaces
- All-metal clicker for timeless sound
- Semi-caged frame for extra strength
Cons
- Only available in two sizes
It was tough to pick the Hardy over the Ross Colorado, especially with their massive price difference. But the Colorado doesn’t have an adjustable drag, and while I know that’s not always the reason we buy click/pawl reels, the option is nice.
All that is to say, it was a close call, and the Colorado is absolutely deserving of your attention. This reel is light, with a semi-caged frame that allows for smooth palming. It has a more modern look that pairs beautifully with any rod you have in your quiver, and comes in tons of colors, too.
I like that the clicker used to create the sound is all metal, as that’ll last for as long as the reel does. That the Colorado is made in the USA is just another point in this reel’s favor.
Best Value: Orvis Battenkill
Best Value
Orvis Battenkill
Key Features
- Classic design and styling
- Time-tested drag system
- MSRP: $179.00
Pros
- Updated design for a slightly modern look
- Light and small, even in larger sizes
Cons
- Standard arbor is a bit small
It’s hard to beat what you get for $179 with the Battenkill. It’s not the best-looking reel on the market, but if you want that click/pawl experience, this gets you there for less than $200. It’s one of the few reels below that price point that isn’t too heavy, or not functional enough, for consistent use.
I’ve had versions of the Battenkill for over a decade now, and while the design has changed a bit, the internals haven’t. Orvis’ click/pawl system is proven, and sounds great when fish start ripping line. This reel is easy to palm, looks great on most rods, and stays light and small, even in its larger sizes. The standard-sized arbor means line retrieval takes a bit longer than with other reels, but it’s rare to find a true large-arbor click/pawl reel in trout sizes.
Most Customizable: Abel TR
most customizable
Abel TR
Key Features
- Most modern-looking design and style
- All-wood handle
- MSRP: $475 – $1,279
Pros
- Infinitely customizable
- Large arbor
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Expensive
- Almost too pretty to fish
If you opt for a custom finish on the Abel TR, you’ll drop almost $1,300 on a trout reel. That’s a mind-boggling number, but you’re buying a piece of art, so it’s probably an investment. At that point, though, wouldn’t you be scared to fish with it?
I’ve had an Abel TR for over a decade now, and that reel has more dings and scrapes than I care to admit. It’s finished in the company’s classic piano black, and I’d hate to think what my reel would look like with a custom brook trout finish.
If that’s your jam, though, it’s hard to go wrong with an Abel TR. You can get just about any color you want, in addition to tons of different artwork options. The reel itself is as impressive, with only 21 parts total. That means it’s simple enough to keep working long after you’ve had to stop fishing.
This updated version of the TR features a large arbor for quicker line retrieval and a simple system to convert from right to left-hand retrieve. My TR doesn’t get the work it used to, but it was my daily driver for a few years. That reel proved itself time and again on plenty of big fish, both in tailwaters and smaller creeks.
USA-Made Value: Galvan Brookie
USA-Made Value
Galvan Brookie
Key Features
- Unique Click-Ball System
- Extremely simple design
- MSRP: $290 – $320
Pros
- Simple design
- Ultra-smooth drag
- USA-made
Cons
- Need an Allen wrench to adjust drag
The Galvan Brookie flies under the radar, but it’s an outstanding little reel. It’s not a true click/pawl; instead, it utilizes a “Click-Ball” system that relies on ball bearings and reduces the number of moving parts in the reel. It’s the smoothest reel I’ve ever used, and extremely simple in its design.
The only knock against it is that, if you want to adjust tension on the drag, you need an Allen wrench for the job. Galvan seems to think you should set the tension once and palm the reel the rest of the time, which sort of defeats the point of an adjustable drag to begin with. But that design quirk aside, the rest of the reel is fantastic, and it’s made in the USA.
FAQS
Q: What reel do I actually need?
For most trout fishing, a simple click/pawl reel, or disc-drag reel, is more than enough to land fish successfully. Larger reels, with drags built to stop huge fish, are popular, but definitely overkill for trout fishing.
Q: Why are click/pawl reels still being sold?
Click/pawl reels are a throwback to vintage gear and tackle that was good enough for all the old-timers who fished “back in the good ol’ days.” They’re still fantastic reels and offer a unique experience when paired with a light-line rod.
Q: Can I just buy a cheap reel from a big-box store?
You certainly can, but most of those reels aren’t built to stand up to much abuse. They’re heavy, so they’ll throw off the balance of your rod. I’ve never been impressed with the cheap reels at big-box stores. It’s worth spending a bit of money on a quality piece of gear.
Final Thoughts
Click/pawl reels aren’t for everyone, but they’re among my favorites. I love their sound, their simplicity, and the fact that they make you take a more active role in fighting fish. You don’t just set the drag, apply side pressure, and wait for a fish to get tired. You’re actively palming the reel, adding tension to the line, and doing your best to keep trout away from the snags. It’s a more engaging way to fish, which I appreciate.
And, the click/pawl reels just have an old-school styling that speaks to me. Maybe that means I’ll end up wearing tweed at some point as I get older, but for now, I’ll settle for my click/pawl reels.