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Fly tackle · Fly reels · Our take
Greys GTS900 Fly Reel
Flagship large-arbour fly reel
The flagship GTS reel brings bar-stock aluminium, a centralised twin Rulon drag and handy left-to-right conversion to the fly water. A cracking all-rounder, with enough range for everything from light river work to bigger freshwater and saltwater jobs.
- Flagship model in the Greys GTS fly-reel range.
- 6061 bar-stock aluminium construction with a centralised twin Rulon disc drag.
- Large-arbour design and tool-less conversion from left- to right-hand wind.
- Supplied with a neoprene pouch, with five sizes covering lines from WF3 through WF11.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers the Greys GTS900 Fly Reel range, including the WF3, WF5, WF7, WF9 and WF11 sizes.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A well-specced flagship reel with useful range and sensible fishing-focused features.
- Product Quality9.4/10
- Performance9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.8/10
- Ease of Use9.2/10
- Value for Money8.8/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Trout and grayling anglers wanting a smart, hard-wearing reel. The WF3 and WF5 sizes cover lighter river and stillwater outfits, with a large arbour for tidy line recovery.
- Anglers moving between freshwater and heavier fly fishing. The WF7, WF9 and WF11 options bring useful line and backing capacity for bigger flies, stronger fish and longer runs.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers chasing the absolute lightest possible outfit. The bigger GTS900 sizes carry more weight, so a featherlight rod-and-reel balance isn’t their main party trick.
- Someone after a tiny, ultra-simple click-and-pawl reel. This is a modern disc-drag reel with proper adjustment and machined construction, not a minimalist nostalgic job.
The lowdown
Introducing the Greys GTS900 Fly Reel
The flagship GTS reel brings bar-stock aluminium, a centralised twin Rulon drag and handy left-to-right conversion to the fly water. A cracking all-rounder, with enough range for everything from light river work to bigger freshwater and saltwater jobs.
- Flagship model in the Greys GTS fly-reel range.
- 6061 bar-stock aluminium construction with a centralised twin Rulon disc drag.
- Large-arbour design and tool-less conversion from left- to right-hand wind.
- Supplied with a neoprene pouch, with five sizes covering lines from WF3 through WF11.
Quick verdict
Our verdict
The Greys GTS900 looks like a serious bit of fly tackle without piling on needless faff. Its 6061 bar-stock aluminium body, large arbour and centralised twin Rulon disc drag give it the right foundations for everything from river trout and grayling to heavier freshwater work.
The tool-less hand conversion is dead handy, while the captive spool release and supplied neoprene pouch make everyday ownership easier. It isn’t the daintiest option in the larger sizes, but as a dependable, properly made reel range, it’s bob on for anglers who want one reel family covering a lot of fly fishing.
A well-specced flagship reel with useful range and sensible fishing-focused features.
- Product Quality
- 9.4/10
- Performance
- 9.1/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.8/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.2/10
- Value for Money
- 8.8/10
The 6061 bar-stock aluminium build and captive spool design give it a properly robust feel.
The large arbour and centralised twin Rulon disc drag are well suited to quick recovery and controlled fish-playing pressure.
Smooth, adjustable drag control and the right backing capacity can make a real difference when a fish runs.
Tool-less retrieve conversion, a captive spool release and a supplied pouch keep ownership pleasantly straightforward.
It offers flagship-level construction and a broad size range, although lighter anglers may not need all that 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.
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 GTS900 Fly Reel
The Greys GTS900 is the flagship reel in the GTS fly range, and it’s aimed squarely at anglers who want more than a basic line holder. This is a proper machined reel with a sensible drag system, a large arbour and enough size options to cover a big chunk of fly fishing. From light river work to heavier freshwater duties, there’s a GTS900 to suit.
The first thing that jumps out is the 6061 bar-stock aluminium construction. That gives the reel a solid, rigid feel and the sort of durability you want when tackle is being carried through brambles, rested on shingle or inevitably placed somewhere a bit daft on the bank. It’s not trying to be a flimsy, featherweight accessory. It’s built to be part of the outfit.
Inside, the centralised twin Rulon disc drag is the business end. Rather than relying on a simple clicker, the GTS900 gives you controlled resistance when a fish gets its head down and starts taking line. That matters on lighter leaders, but it’s just as useful when you’re fishing heavier flies and need consistent pressure rather than a jerky, grabby stop.
The large-arbour spool is another very practical touch. It helps pick up line faster when you’re stripping in, clearing a fish or trying to get connected after a short take. It also helps reduce tight coils in the fly line, which can save a fair bit of faff when you’re trying to get a clean cast away before the fish disappears.
There’s a decent spread of sizes, too. The WF3 covers 2/3/4-weight lines, making it the light end of the family. The WF5 covers 4/5/6-weight outfits, while the WF7 covers 6/7/8-weight lines. Those two will be the natural choices for plenty of trout, grayling and general stillwater anglers.
At the heavier end, the WF9 covers 8/9/10-weight lines and the WF11 covers 10/11/12-weight lines. That puts the GTS900 into big-fly, powerful-rod territory, where backing capacity and a dependable drag become much more important. These sizes make sense for serious freshwater work and other demanding fly-fishing jobs.
Backing capacity rises properly as the reel size increases. The WF3 takes a WF3 line plus 48 metres of backing, while the WF5 takes 75 metres. The WF7 carries 106 metres, and the WF9 and WF11 step up to 206 and 211 metres respectively. So there’s plenty of room when a proper lump decides to go.
The weight range is sensible for the construction: 140g for the WF3, 148g for the WF5, 160g for the WF7, 238g for the WF9 and 246g for the WF11. The jump at the larger sizes is worth bearing in mind when balancing a rod. A reel that’s spot on for an 11-weight can feel a bit much on a lighter outfit.
Day to day, the tool-less conversion from left- to right-hand wind is dead handy. You can set the reel up around how you like to fish without hunting for a screwdriver. Add the captive spool release, which helps keep the spool secure, and the supplied neoprene pouch, and the GTS900 comes across as a well-thought-out bit of kit rather than a bare-bones reel.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Construction
- 6061 bar-stock aluminium
- Drag
- Centralised twin Rulon disc drag
- Arbour
- Large arbour
- Hand conversion
- Tool-less left- to right-hand wind conversion
- Sizes
- WF3, WF5, WF7, WF9 and WF11
- Included
- Neoprene pouch
Specs checked with Greys, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Why this reel stands out
The GTS900 is all about useful engineering rather than flashy gimmicks. You get a rigid machined aluminium frame, a large-arbour spool for quicker line recovery and a twin Rulon disc drag positioned centrally for balanced pressure. That’s the sort of kit that makes sense when a fish turns the other way and starts nicking line.
The broad size range is a real strength. The WF3 handles light outfits, while the WF9 and WF11 sizes move into heavier lines and bigger fish. Choose the size around your line weight and intended backing capacity, then the GTS900 can sit on a river rod, stillwater setup or heavier predator and saltwater outfit.
The reel itself
A sturdy, practical build with a proper drag
The GTS900 combines 6061 bar-stock aluminium with a centralised twin Rulon disc drag. That’s a strong recipe for controlled pressure and long-term durability. The drag is especially useful when you’re fishing fine tippets for wary trout or stepping up to heavier leaders and bigger flies.
Its large-arbour spool helps with quick line pick-up and reduces the worst of the memory in your fly line. The captive spool release is a neat safety feature, while the tool-less hand conversion means swapping retrieve direction is straightforward rather than a full-on tackle-box mission.
Worth knowing. The WF3 weighs 140g and the WF5 148g, while the WF7 is 160g. The heavier WF9 and WF11 sizes rise to 238g and 246g, so balance the reel with the rod instead of choosing on line rating alone.
Pick your size
A GTS900 for light lines, big flies and plenty in between
For lighter river work, the WF3 is the natural starting point, covering 2/3/4-weight lines. The WF5 is the more flexible all-rounder for 4/5/6-weight outfits, making it a strong choice for general trout fishing, stillwaters and anglers who want one setup to do a bit of everything.
The WF7 moves into 6/7/8-weight territory, while the WF9 and WF11 are aimed at 8/9/10-weight and 10/11/12-weight lines. Go there when you’re casting bigger flies, fishing hard-pulling water or targeting fish that can properly empty a reel. Don’t put a hefty WF11 on a dainty rod just because the backing capacity looks tasty.
It suits anglers who like a modern disc drag and a solid, machined feel. If your ideal reel is featherlight, tiny and built around a simple click, this will be more than you need. For everyone else, it offers plenty of useful range without daft complications.
Quick answers
The bits you’ll want to know before buying
The main choice is size. Match the reel to the line weight your rod is designed to cast, then check the backing requirement for your fishing. The WF3 holds a WF3 line plus 48m of backing, the WF5 75m, the WF7 106m, the WF9 206m and the WF11 211m.
Retrieve direction isn’t a headache here. The GTS900 converts from left- to right-hand wind without tools, so you can set it up how you prefer. That’s particularly useful if the reel is shared between anglers or you change habits over time.
Look after it as you would any machined reel: keep grit out of the mechanism, rinse away salt or dirty water after use and let it dry before storing it in the supplied neoprene pouch. A little care should keep the drag and spool working sweetly.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Strong 6061 bar-stock aluminium construction.
- Centralised twin Rulon disc drag offers controlled, balanced pressure.
- Tool-less left- to right-hand conversion is quick and handy.
- Large arbour helps recover line faster and cuts down memory.
- Wide range of sizes, from light trout lines to heavy 12-weight outfits.
Worth knowing
- The larger sizes add noticeable weight to a fly setup.
- A serious, machined reel can be more reel than a beginner needs for simple short-range fishing.
- You’ll need to choose the size carefully, as backing capacity varies a lot between models.
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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 GTS900 size should I choose?
Which Greys GTS900 size should I choose?
Match the reel to your fly line first. WF3 covers 2/3/4-weight lines, WF5 covers 4/5/6-weight, WF7 covers 6/7/8-weight, WF9 covers 8/9/10-weight and WF11 covers 10/11/12-weight lines. Use your rod and line rating as the starting point.
02Can the Greys GTS900 be changed from left-hand to right-hand retrieve?
Can the Greys GTS900 be changed from left-hand to right-hand retrieve?
Yes. The reel has a tool-less conversion system, so you can swap from left- to right-hand wind without needing a workshop full of tiny bits and bobs.
03What does the GTS900 come with?
What does the GTS900 come with?
The reel is supplied with a neoprene pouch, which is handy for protecting it in your luggage, tackle bag or during storage between trips.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: our verdict. The strongest reasons to choose it are strong 6061 bar-stock aluminium construction. and centralised twin rulon disc drag offers controlled, balanced pressure.; the main trade-off is the larger sizes add noticeable weight to a fly setup..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Strong 6061 bar-stock aluminium construction.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Trout and grayling anglers wanting a smart, hard-wearing reel: The WF3 and WF5 sizes cover lighter river and stillwater outfits, with a large arbour for tidy line recovery.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The larger sizes add noticeable weight to a fly setup.”
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 GTS900 Fly Reel
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Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Greys GTS900 Fly Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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