Photos: Greys · supplied retailer imagery
Fly fishing · Fly reels · Our take
Greys Fin Fly Reel
Available in 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10
An enclosed frame, large-arbour spool and Rulon disc drag give the Greys Fin a useful all-round package. Just pay attention to reel weight when pairing it with a lighter rod.
- Four sizes cover line classes from 3/4 through to 9/10.
- Die-cast, machine-finished aluminium construction.
- Full Rulon disc drag and a large-arbour spool.
- Fully enclosed frame, reversible retrieve and an included reel pouch.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Greys Fin Fly Reel range. The sizes have different weights, so choose around your rod, line and backing needs.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A feature-led appraisal: useful line containment and everyday practicality are the strengths; weight is the main consideration for lighter outfits.
- Product Quality8.5/10
- Performance8.7/10
- Impact on Fish Catching7.7/10
- Ease of Use9/10
- Value for Money8.6/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Newer fly anglers building a practical outfit. The size range, adjustable drag and reversible retrieve cover the everyday essentials without unnecessary complications.
- Anglers who dislike line escaping around the spool. The enclosed frame directly addresses that particular headache, especially when using thin running lines.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers prioritising an ultralight outfit. Even the 3/4 weighs 5.68 oz, so check whether it suits the feel of your lighter rod.
- Buyers specifically after fully machined construction. The Fin is die-cast and then machine-finished, rather than fully machined from solid stock.
The lowdown
Introducing the Greys Fin Fly Reel
An enclosed frame, large-arbour spool and Rulon disc drag give the Greys Fin a useful all-round package. Just pay attention to reel weight when pairing it with a lighter rod.
- Four sizes cover line classes from 3/4 through to 9/10.
- Die-cast, machine-finished aluminium construction.
- Full Rulon disc drag and a large-arbour spool.
- Fully enclosed frame, reversible retrieve and an included reel pouch.
Quick verdict
A sensible fly reel, without the fancy-kit fuss
The Fin puts useful features ahead of flashy promises. Its enclosed frame tackles line escape, the large arbour helps with retrieval, and the Rulon disc drag gives you adjustable resistance when a fish takes line.
It makes most sense for anglers building a practical fly outfit rather than chasing the lightest possible setup. Check the balance on smaller rods, choose the right size and you've got a straightforward package, pouch included.
A feature-led appraisal: useful line containment and everyday practicality are the strengths; weight is the main consideration for lighter outfits.
- Product Quality
- 8.5/10
- Performance
- 8.7/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 7.7/10
- Ease of Use
- 9/10
- Value for Money
- 8.6/10
Machine-finished aluminium and an enclosed frame make a sensible package, though this isn't fully machined construction.
The large arbour and Rulon disc drag cover the core retrieval and fish-playing jobs.
Better line containment can prevent interruptions, but presentation and line handling remain much bigger influences.
Reversible retrieve and an enclosed frame support straightforward everyday use.
The feature mix and included pouch make a convincing practical package, provided you don't need an ultralight or fully machined reel.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Greys
Greys Fin Fly Reel (this one)
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 Greys Fin Fly Reel
The Greys Fin Fly Reel is the sort of kit that makes sense when you want to get an outfit sorted without turning reel shopping into a second hobby. It gives you an aluminium body, a large-arbour spool, a Rulon disc drag and a fully enclosed frame. Nothing wildly complicated there, mate. Just a useful collection of features aimed at holding your line, managing it sensibly and providing resistance when a fish decides it would rather be somewhere else. That's a sound starting point for an everyday fly reel.
First, get the discipline straight: this is a fly reel, not a little fixed-spool reel for float fishing or feeder work. Your casting comes from the fly line and rod, while the reel stores line and backing and comes into play when you retrieve or fight a fish on the reel. The Fin comes in 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10 sizes. Those labels give you a starting point for matching line class, rather than a promise that every line and backing combination will fit equally well.
The fully enclosed frame is probably the most interesting practical detail. With some fly-reel layouts, a thin line can work into the gap between spool and frame, leaving you with a fiddly interruption just when you'd rather be fishing. The Fin's frame is designed to prevent that escape route. That's particularly relevant if your setup involves a thin running line, though ordinary fly anglers can appreciate it too. It won't untangle the coils wrapped around your boot, obviously. There's still a bit of housekeeping to do at your end.
Then there's the large-arbour spool. The useful bit isn't the label; it's having a broad core around which the line sits. Compared with a narrower core, that can mean less tightly coiled line and more line recovered per turn at a comparable fill level. When a fish turns towards you, getting slack under control matters. Actual pickup still depends on how full the spool is, though. Give your backing some thought rather than chucking on whatever happens to be left in the tackle drawer and hoping for the best.
The full Rulon disc drag provides adjustable resistance when line is pulled from the reel. For everyday fishing, the sensible approach is to set it with your tippet in mind, not crank it down because the fish looks a decent lump. Your rod cushions lunges, and the drag needs to let line go before something gives. Also, remember that plenty of trout fishing involves managing stripped line by hand before a fish gets onto the reel. A drag is useful, but it doesn't replace calm line handling or a sensible playing angle.
Construction is die-cast, machine-finished aluminium, with a multi-colour polished finish. That distinction matters if you're comparing it with something advertised as fully machined: machine-finished doesn't mean the whole reel was cut from solid stock. There's no need to get precious about it, but buy the thing you're actually being offered. For day-to-day ownership, avoiding knocks against rocks and keeping grit out are sensible habits whichever reel you choose. The included pouch is a welcome extra for journeys to the water, especially if your fishing bag is a bit of a jumble.
Weight deserves a proper look before you pick a size. The 3/4 is listed at 5.68 oz, the 5/6 at 6.28 oz, the 7/8 at 6.84 oz and the 9/10 at 8.64 oz. On a delicate little rod, that smallest model isn't an automatic choice just because its line-class label matches. Balance and total outfit weight both affect how the tackle feels through a session. If possible, fit the reel to your intended rod before buying. A comfortable pairing beats winning an argument about numbers down the fishery.
Overall, the Fin suits an angler who wants straightforward features and isn't chasing the lightest or most elaborate reel in the rack. Retrieve direction can be changed for left- or right-hand winding, so you're not boxed into someone else's preference. Match the size carefully, leave sensible clearance when loading the spool and get familiar with the drag before fishing. Bosh, the essentials are covered. Just keep expectations grounded: the reel can make line management easier, but presentation, fly choice and reading the water will still do far more to earn your next take.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Sizes
- 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10
- Listed weights
- 3/4: 5.68 oz; 5/6: 6.28 oz; 7/8: 6.84 oz; 9/10: 8.64 oz
- Construction and finish
- Die-cast, machine-finished aluminium; multi-colour polished finish
- Drag
- Full Rulon disc drag system
- Frame and spool
- Fully enclosed frame; large-arbour spool
- Retrieve and accessories
- Convertible left-/right-hand retrieve; reel pouch included
Specs checked with Greys, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The frame is the quietly clever bit
Line sneaking between spool and frame is a proper nuisance, particularly with thin running lines. The Fin's fully enclosed frame addresses that specific problem rather than merely dressing the reel up.
That doesn't make loose line around your boots behave itself. You still need tidy line management, but removing one possible snag point is dead handy.
Design and details
What you're actually buying
The Fin pairs a die-cast, machine-finished aluminium structure with a large-arbour spool and full Rulon disc drag. The polished finish adds a bit of smartness, but the enclosed frame is the more meaningful detail: it keeps line from slipping through the spool-to-frame gap.
Large-arbour reels still need loading properly. Too much backing can leave your fly line rubbing when it's wound back unevenly during fishing. Allow clearance rather than filling right to the lip, and check your chosen line and backing combination before committing.
Worth knowing. An enclosed frame isn't the same thing as a sealed drag. Don't assume that this frame design means the drag is waterproof or that the reel needs no care after a dunking.
Choosing your outfit
Practical fly anglers, rather than weight chasers
For a newer fly angler, the Fin covers the main jobs without making the buying decision too messy. Match its line-class size to your outfit, check capacity for your actual line and backing, and set the retrieve direction to suit you. The pouch is a useful little bonus rather than another thing to buy separately.
More experienced anglers may be drawn to the enclosed frame, particularly where thin running lines are involved. The bigger question for light-rod users is weight. A reel can help balance a rod while still adding to the overall load in your hand, so consider both rather than treating balance as the whole story.
If your shopping list starts with fully machined construction or the lowest possible weight, this probably isn't your natural first stop. If it starts with sensible line containment, a disc drag and an uncomplicated everyday package, the Fin deserves a look.
Before you buy
Three things to get straight
Which size? Use your rod and line rating as the starting point: a six-weight outfit generally points towards the 5/6. Don't stop at the label, though. Line bulk and the backing you need also matter, and a larger reel adds weight as well as space.
Can you swap winding hands? Yes, the Fin is convertible between left- and right-hand retrieve. Follow the supplied instructions and check the drag resists line leaving the spool after the change. Better to sort that at home than fiddle with it beside the water.
Is it fully machined? No. The aluminium is die-cast, then machine-finished. That's a different construction route from machining the reel from solid stock. Judge it as the practical reel it is, rather than buying it expecting a different build.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Enclosed frame helps prevent line escaping between spool and frame.
- Large-arbour layout supports useful line pickup.
- Left- or right-hand retrieve accommodates either preference.
- Four sizes make matching a conventional fly outfit straightforward.
- Included pouch is handy for storage and transport.
Worth knowing
- The smaller models aren't featherweights, which matters on delicate rods.
- Die-cast construction won't satisfy anglers specifically seeking a fully machined reel.
- An enclosed frame doesn't stop loose fly line tangling elsewhere.
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.
01Which Greys Fin size should I choose?
Which Greys Fin size should I choose?
Start with your rod and fly-line rating: a five- or six-weight outfit points towards the 5/6. Then check room for your particular line and backing, especially with bulky lines.
02Can you change the retrieve direction?
Can you change the retrieve direction?
Yes. The Fin converts between left- and right-hand retrieve. Follow the reel's instructions when changing it over.
03Is the Fin fully machined?
Is the Fin fully machined?
No. It uses die-cast aluminium construction with machine finishing. That's different from a reel fully machined from solid aluminium stock.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a sensible fly reel, without the fancy-kit fuss. The strongest reasons to choose it are enclosed frame helps prevent line escaping between spool and frame. and large-arbour layout supports useful line pickup.; the main trade-off is the smaller models aren't featherweights, which matters on delicate rods..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Enclosed frame helps prevent line escaping between spool and frame.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Newer fly anglers building a practical outfit: The size range, adjustable drag and reversible retrieve cover the everyday essentials without unnecessary complications.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The smaller models aren't featherweights, which matters on delicate rods.”
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 Greys Fin Fly Reel
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Greys Fin Fly Reel here. Be the first and get the score started.
Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Greys Fin Fly Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
No owner reports yet.
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