Short answer: an extra spool lets you carry several line types on one reel instead of buying several reels. It's cheaper, lighter, and faster to switch. For stillwater and for travel it isn't a luxury — it's the difference between fishing the conditions and making do.

Fly fishing is a dynamic sport that demands adaptability to ever-changing conditions. One of the simplest ways to achieve that is with extra spools.

Why extra spools matter

An extra spool gives you the flexibility to adapt quickly without needing multiple reels. That matters for anglers who encounter varied environments or target multiple species, and the cost saving of not buying an entire cage along with each spool is significant.

Some fly fishing genuinely demands it. Stillwater can require up to ten different spools of line to cover the conditions you'll encounter.

The benefits

Quick line changes

You can switch rapidly between floating, sinking, and sink-tip lines to match conditions. It's not uncommon for me to switch sinking lines three to five times a day when fishing stillwater.

Cost-effectiveness

Rather than investing in multiple reels for different line types, extra spools are the economical solution.

Space and weight efficiency

Carrying spools is lighter and more space-efficient than carrying reels, which is a significant advantage when travelling. I recall going to Costa Rica to fish tarpon and being grateful I had one reel and four different sinking lines. Had it been five complete reels, I don't believe I'd have had the space, or made the weight limit flying.

How extra spools change your fishing

Adaptability to conditions

Different scenarios — stillwater through to fast-moving streams — require different lines. Extra spools allow quick adaptation and improve your chances.

Versatility across species

Different species require different techniques and lines. I have an 8-weight reel with extra spools: some carry cold weather lines, others warm weather lines, plus an intermediate and several sinking lines.

Convenience

Switching spools means less time re-rigging and more time fishing. When I had one spool I was constantly stripping and replacing line based on what I was fishing. The headaches that come with that can really be a drag when you're leaving or already on a trip.

Why it's worth considering

Maximising opportunities

Switching lines quickly means you're always prepared for whatever arises. The alternative is making do with what you have and losing opportune moments for want of the right gear.

Long-term investment

Extra spools extend the utility of your reel, which makes them a wise long-term investment. That's especially true at resale, since plenty of anglers are specifically looking for a reel that comes with extra spools.

Enhanced experience

The right line makes a significant difference to success and enjoyment. If you've ever used a warm weather line in cold weather you'll know the feeling — it behaves like a cable. Coiling is compounded, the line doesn't shoot as well, and overall performance drops.

The lines worth having spooled

This is the practical part. A floating line covers most fishing — the Moonlit Performance WF Taper Floating or the Perfect Taper Floating.

Then build outward by sink rate, which is exactly the stillwater progression described above: S1 intermediate for shallows and just under the film, S3 medium for moderate current, and S5 fast for deep runs. For fish holding deep in stillwater, a Full Sinking Line, Alpha II Sinking, or Alpha SS takes the whole line down.

Fishing salt, as in the Costa Rica example? Saltwater lines use stiffer cores that don't go limp in tropical heat — the Moonlit WF Saltwater or Silvertip Saltwater WF. See all fly lines and leaders and backing.

For the full picture on taper, grain weight, and why line does more for your casting than the reel ever will, read Understanding Fly Fishing Lines.

The bottom line

Extra spools let you adapt to varied conditions and techniques, which makes them a valuable addition to your setup. They enhance your ability to respond to the diverse challenges of fly fishing and enrich the experience.

And it doesn't have to start on day one. Knowing it's a possibility and investing as you go is a strategy that works extremely well.