The importance of the reel is often neglected in our sport.
The type of reel you & others own can be of great use in deciding a) who to talk to & who to avoid, and b) who needs your help & advice & those who probably do not.

The reel isn't simply a device for holding line.
Most proper fly-fishermen - and women I suppose - play their fish off the reel.
I play mine off the reel & I have a boy called Sammi (for short) who nets them for me.
This means that the drag mechanism on your reel will need to be good (ie not cheap).
The reel also indicates the type of fisherman using it, as I will explain below.

Some anglers buy their reels from non-profit organisations, some from trusted retailers with a history of providing only the best for their clientele.

Below is a brief guide:

Wychwood/Redington/Vision

Much as I hate to stereotype, the type of angler who uses reels from these manufacturers can broadly be put in the same basket.
Approach with caution!
If at all possible, avoid any eye contact if they are fishing in one of your swims. Don't remind them that they have somehow stumbled upon one of your favoured spots.
Reach slowly into your vest as you prepare to walk past & ready your marrow spoon.
Ironically, these potentially dangerous reel owners tend to need the most advice. Either they are rank beginners, or they simply know very little about the sport.

Greys

This manufacturer covers a broad church, but identification of people you may or may not wish to speak to or fish nearby is possible.
G series/GLA/GRXi
Best avoided. Slightly less dangerous than those mentioned above, as these people are at least slightly aspirational.
May need basic advice ie knots, flies, casting advice & so on.
X-Flite/Steamflite
Probably know most of the basics, with these anglers you can relax you grip on the marrow spoon.

Lamson/Hardy/Sage

These fishermen are often a pleasure to talk to, a delight to watch and also very knowledgeable.
If it's an hour or more into the day's fishing, no doubt owners of these reels will already have at least one fish on the bank.
You can be totally relaxed in the company of these anglers without any fear of violence, foul language, or a mobile phone going off with an x-factor ringtone.

Thanks accepted in advance.

(owner of several shopping trolleys)

So True.


Col

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"It is not easy to tell one how to cast. The art must be acquired by practice.

Both informative and educational Stephen.
Thanks for taking the time and illustrating your post with such accurate photographs.
This is a resource I am sure will be welcomed by both beginners and the more experienced angler.

Your theory is definitely wrong - cos despite owning a couple of Grey's reels, I have no trouble tying wind knots.

As a Lamson owner/user I applaud your perspicacity.

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[I]"The fish and I were both stunned and disbelieving to find ourselves connected by a line." William Humphrey in "The Armchair Angler"[/I]

Hey, you left out us Okuma owners:

....and orvis (Ihave 3) and also 4 Greys (GTX - not shown) plus 1 hardy's. Does that make me a hybrid or merely confused or bewildered?
GD

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We come from dust; we return to dust. I'm going to fish

Possibly schizophrenic old fellow!
But its not all bad Grey Duster, you have your good days!
(a fellow sufferer I have a trusty old Rim Fly).

And what about us antique in more ways than one reel users ,go too favorite for salmon at the moment is a 1950s Allcocks ,and I dont wear tweed !

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Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!