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Fly tackle · Large-arbour reels · Our take
Daiwa Lochmor LA Fly Reel
Daiwa Lochmor LA Fly Reel
A neat, lightweight large-arbour fly reel with a proper disc drag and sensible fish-fighting control. It’s discontinued now, mind, so finding the right size is the main game.
- Machined from solid bar-stock aluminium.
- Large-arbour spool for quicker line recovery.
- Smooth disc-drag mechanism with an exposed spool rim for manual control.
- Winding direction can be converted, and a protective reel case is supplied.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the discontinued Daiwa Lochmor LA range, including the standard LA sizes and the larger Spey models.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A capable discontinued reel whose value depends heavily on condition and the price you find it for.
- Product Quality9/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.6/10
- Ease of Use8.9/10
- Value for Money8.1/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Trout and general river fly anglers. The smaller LA sizes offer a light, practical setup with quick line recovery and straightforward drag control.
- Spey anglers wanting a sensible large-arbour reel. The LA 7/8, 9/10 and 10/11 Spey models offer useful backing capacity for bigger lines and longer-running fish.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers wanting easy current-range availability. The Lochmor LA is discontinued, so finding a particular size or spare spool could take some hunting.
- Anyone chasing the absolute lightest outfit. The larger Spey versions carry more weight, which may be noticeable over a full day of two-handed casting.
The lowdown
Introducing the Daiwa Lochmor LA Fly Reel
A neat, lightweight large-arbour fly reel with a proper disc drag and sensible fish-fighting control. It’s discontinued now, mind, so finding the right size is the main game.
- Machined from solid bar-stock aluminium.
- Large-arbour spool for quicker line recovery.
- Smooth disc-drag mechanism with an exposed spool rim for manual control.
- Winding direction can be converted, and a protective reel case is supplied.
Quick verdict
A cracking old-school fly reel with useful modern touches
The Lochmor LA gets the important bits right: solid aluminium construction, a large arbour, smooth disc drag and an exposed rim for palming fish. That makes it a very sensible reel for trout, general river work and Spey setups, depending on the size.
The catch is availability. It’s discontinued, so condition, spool matching and asking price matter more than usual. Find a tidy one at a fair quid and it still looks like a proper useful bit of kit.
A capable discontinued reel whose value depends heavily on condition and the price you find it for.
- Product Quality
- 9/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.6/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.9/10
- Value for Money
- 8.1/10
Solid bar-stock aluminium and a practical disc-drag layout give it a reassuringly robust foundation.
The large arbour, smooth drag and exposed rim cover the main jobs during a fish fight.
Fast line recovery and controlled pressure can help keep contact when a fish runs, though the reel won’t replace good line and rod work.
Retrieve conversion is straightforward in concept, and the large arbour and rim are useful on the bank.
It can be cracking value at a sensible price, but discontinued status makes inflated second-hand asking prices a concern.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Daiwa Lochmor LA Fly Reel
The Daiwa Lochmor LA is the sort of fly reel that makes a fair bit of sense once you’ve got a few river miles under your belt. No daft gimmicks. No overcooked styling. Just a solid aluminium frame, a large-arbour spool and a drag system aimed at keeping things calm when a fish decides to leg it.
It’s discontinued now, which changes the buying conversation a touch. You’re not comparing it with a fresh batch of reels hanging on every tackle-shop wall. You’re hunting for the right size, in the right condition, at a price that doesn’t make you wince. Get those bits right, though, and the Lochmor LA still has plenty going for it.
The body is machined from solid bar-stock aluminium. That’s a reassuring starting point for a reel that might see wet wading, rocky banks and the odd clumsy moment while you’re changing flies. It gives the reel a properly purposeful feel without turning the smaller trout models into doorstops.
That large arbour is the other big talking point. When a trout or grayling takes off and you’ve stripped line onto the deck, a large arbour helps you get it back on the reel more quickly. Less frantic winding. Less loose line snaking round your boots. More chance of getting properly connected before the fish finds a snag.
The Lochmor LA uses a smooth disc drag rather than relying purely on your palm. That’s useful when a fish is putting a steady bend in the rod and you want controlled pressure. You can still keep things personal, too, thanks to the exposed spool rim. A finger or palm on that rim gives you a quick manual nudge when the run changes pace.
That exposed rim is particularly handy when you’re fishing lighter tippets and want to feather a fish rather than simply crank the drag up. On the other hand, it means you need to stay switched on. A careless finger during a fast run can get a proper nip, so keep your hand position tidy when a lump turns its head.
The winding direction is easily converted, which is dead handy. Maybe you’ve always fished right-hand retrieve. Maybe the reel is changing owner. Either way, you’re not stuck with the original arrangement. The reel also comes with a protective case, a small touch but a useful one when it’s rattling around in a tackle bag between sessions.
There are several sizes in the range, from the light LA 2/3 through to the bigger LA 10/11 Spey. The little models make most sense on trout outfits, while the larger reels bring the capacity and scale needed for two-handed work. The Spey versions are heavier, naturally, so balance the reel against the rod rather than picking purely by line number.
Capacity is worth checking before you buy, especially with an older reel where listings can be a bit vague. The LA 5/6 takes WF5F plus 20lb backing/90m, the LA 7/8 takes WF7F plus 20lb backing/150m, and the LA 9/10 takes WF9F plus 20lb backing/185m. That’s enough information to match the reel sensibly rather than guessing.
Overall, the Lochmor LA looks like a proper workmanlike option. It’s not the newest reel in the shed, and discontinued kit always brings a bit of faff around availability. But the core package is bob on: light where it matters, strong where it counts, quick line recovery and useful control when a fish goes on the munch.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Construction
- Machined from solid bar-stock aluminium
- Spool design
- Large arbour
- Drag
- Smooth disc drag
- Manual control
- Exposed spool rim for palming
- Retrieve
- Winding direction easily converted
- Supplied with
- Protective reel case
Specs checked with Daiwa, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The appeal is simple: light, practical and fish-focused
The Lochmor LA isn’t trying to be flashy. It’s built around the things that matter when a fish is making off downstream: dependable drag control, sensible line pickup and a rim you can get a finger on when you need to slow a run.
That makes it a good fit for anglers who’d rather spend their money on line, flies and a day on the river than chase the latest shiny reel. Just check the exact size and capacity before parting with your cash, especially with the discontinued Spey models.
What you’re buying
A practical reel built around control
The Lochmor LA combines a solid bar-stock aluminium body with a large-arbour spool. That gives you a reassuring build and quicker line pickup when a fish takes you into the backing. The smooth disc drag handles steady pressure, while the exposed rim lets you palm the reel for instant manual control.
The smaller LA 2/3, 4/5 and 5/6 models are aimed at lighter fly work. The LA 7/8, 9/10 and 10/11 Spey versions step up for bigger two-handed lines and more backing. Retrieve direction can be converted, and the supplied case is handy for keeping the reel protected between trips.
Worth knowing. This is a discontinued range. Before buying, check the exact model marking, spool condition, drag operation and capacity. With older reels, a bargain can stop being a bargain if the wrong spool is fitted or the rim has taken a knock.
Match it to your fishing
Best on balanced fly setups
For trout and general river fishing, the lighter Lochmor LA models make good sense when matched to the rod and line. The large arbour helps tidy up stripped line quickly, while the drag gives you a measured option when a fish runs instead of relying entirely on hand pressure.
The exposed rim is useful around snaggy margins or fast water, where you may want to add or release pressure instantly. Keep your fingers clear during a rapid run, though. Palming is effective, but it rewards a bit of care.
The Spey models suit anglers who need more room for larger lines and backing. The LA 7/8, 9/10 and 10/11 have the capacity for bigger setups, but do consider overall outfit balance. A heavier reel can be perfectly sensible on a two-handed rod, yet less appealing if you’re casting all day.
The stuff you’ll want to know
Before you part with your quid
Can it handle running fish? The disc drag and large-arbour design are both useful when a fish takes line quickly. The exposed rim adds another layer of control, letting you palm the spool instead of constantly reaching for the drag knob.
Is it a good second-hand buy? It can be, provided the price reflects its discontinued status and the reel is in good nick. Look for a clean spool edge, smooth rotation, a working drag and a case if that matters to you. Also make sure the line size matches the model.
Worth knowing. Don’t buy purely because the listing says “Lochmor”. The standard LA and Spey versions cover very different fishing. Match the reel to your rod, fly line and backing needs first, then worry about getting the cheeky bargain.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Solid bar-stock aluminium construction feels properly reassuring.
- Large arbour helps recover line quickly during a screaming take.
- Smooth disc drag plus an exposed rim gives you two ways to control a fish.
- Retrieve direction is easily converted.
- Protective case is supplied.
Worth knowing
- The range is discontinued, so availability and spare-spool options may be patchy.
- The larger Spey models are noticeably heavier than the trout sizes.
- Second-hand condition and asking price can vary wildly.
Want one?
Add it to your Wanted list or join a Group Buy — shops see anonymous totals only.
Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Is the Daiwa Lochmor LA still made?
Is the Daiwa Lochmor LA still made?
No. The Lochmor LA is discontinued, so you’ll generally be looking at old stock or a second-hand example. Check the reel carefully and make sure the spool is the right size for your line setup.
02Can the Daiwa Lochmor LA be changed from left- to right-hand retrieve?
Can the Daiwa Lochmor LA be changed from left- to right-hand retrieve?
Yes. The winding direction is designed to be easily converted, which is handy if the reel changes hands or you alter your preferred setup.
03Which Lochmor LA size suits a Spey line?
Which Lochmor LA size suits a Spey line?
The LA 7/8, LA 9/10 and LA 10/11 are the Spey models. Their stated capacities are WF7F plus 20lb backing/150m, WF9F plus 20lb backing/185m and WF10F plus 20lb backing/185m respectively.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a cracking old-school fly reel with useful modern touches. The strongest reasons to choose it are solid bar-stock aluminium construction feels properly reassuring. and large arbour helps recover line quickly during a screaming take.; the main trade-off is the range is discontinued, so availability and spare-spool options may be patchy..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Solid bar-stock aluminium construction feels properly reassuring.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Trout and general river fly anglers: The smaller LA sizes offer a light, practical setup with quick line recovery and straightforward drag control.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The range is discontinued, so availability and spare-spool options may be patchy.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Daiwa Lochmor LA Fly Reel
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