The Single Action Reel
Many generations of fly fishermen have favored the single action or click reel and it seems to meet all requirements, being free from complications and of sufficient speed and power for all practical purposes.
The single action reel is a simple winch without gearing, making one turn of the spool to each revolution of the handle. The click consists of a toothed wheel (rachet) working against a wedge-shaped piece of metal (pawl) supported by a spring to permit movement in either direction, the idea being to retard the action of the reel enough to prevent over-running. The contact of the pawl against the revolving rachet produces a rapid clicking sound known as " the song of the reel," very pleasing to the ears of all true anglers and of great inspirational value to the poetically inclined. The click mechanism is generally placed in the rear end of the reel and is either permanent or actuated by a sliding button on the tail plate.
