Welcome to REEL Fly Fishing Origin II Fly Reels Getting your reel ready takes less than a minute.
Before You Fish
Your Origin II reel is fully tested before leaving our workshop. If the reel appears to retrieve in the opposite direction to your preference, it simply needs to be converted. This takes less than a minute and is demonstrated in the video below.
Thank You
Thank you for choosing REEL Fly Fishing.
Your Origin II reel has been individually inspected before leaving our workshop and is designed to provide years of dependable performance.
Before heading to the water, we recommend taking a minute to familiarise yourself with your reel.
HELPFUL LINKS FOR SETUP, USE , CARE AND SUPPORT.
Retrieve Direction
Left or Right Hand Retrieve
The Origin II series can be converted between left- and right-hand retrieve in less than a minute.
(The Origin II Click Series uses a fixed retrieve and is not covered by this guide.)
Embed your retrieve-direction video here.
Underneath:
Tip: Most anglers retrieve line using their non-casting hand. If your reel feels like it’s winding the wrong way, it probably just needs to be switched to your preferred retrieve.
Care & Maintenance
Looking After Your Origin II Fly Reel
To keep your reel performing at its best:
✔ Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use. Origin Reels are saltwater safe, with the 789wt models being dedicated for salt use.
✔ Allow the reel to dry before storage. This avoids excess moisture, which can lead to rust/oxidation if kept damp for long periods of time.
✔ Store with the drag backed off. This allows the carbon washers to give you the maximum smoothness and strength when compressed under use again.
✔ Avoid dropping the reel onto rocks or concrete. Things happen, and as strong as our anodized finishes are, they are not able to withstand a harsh drop on a rough or sharp surface.
✔ Periodically remove the spool and wipe away dirt or sand. Keeping grit, sand and dust out of the moving areas ensures your reel will work perfectly for years to come. Each season we do reccomend oiling up the bearings and conducting a basic service check. If you would like your reel fully serviced, simply reach out to us on our support email : shaun@reelflyfishing.co.za
The retrieve direction simply needs changing.
Watch the Retrieve Direction video above.
The Origin II drag systems are protected against normal freshwater and saltwater use. Always rinse with fresh water and dry after saltwater use.
Yes.
Always rinse thoroughly with fresh water after every saltwater outing.
Approximate capacities: for normal 4-strand backing. Gel spun and braided backings are a lot thinner, so you can almost double backing capacities with them, depending on diameter and type.
Origin II 3/4/5
WF5 + 60–80 m 20 lb backing
Origin II 5/6/7
WF6 + 100–150 m 20 lb backing
Origin II 7/8/9
WF8 + 150–200 m 20 lb backing
(Adjust depending on fly line diameter.)
Every Origin II reel is CNC machined to exceptionally tight tolerances to ensure precise alignment, smooth drag performance, and minimal spool movement.
During assembly, each reel is individually shimmed beneath the upper spool bearing to eliminate unwanted free-spooling or spool play during casting.
As a result, your spool may feel slightly firmer than some other fly reels. This is intentional and forms part of our quality control process.
If you prefer a lighter spool with less rotational resistance, the tension can be adjusted by removing one or more of the thin shims (typically 1–3) located beneath the upper ball bearing under the spool cap.
We recommend making small adjustments one shim at a time.
If Your Reel Doesn’t Feel Right
Every REEL Fly Fishing Origin II reel is individually inspected, assembled, and tested before leaving our workshop.
If your reel arrives with cosmetic damage, excessive noise, rough operation, or any issue that doesn’t appear consistent with a new premium reel, please contact us before fishing with it.
While rare, products fulfilled through Amazon can occasionally be affected during handling or returned to inventory in a condition that does not meet our standards. If this happens, we’ll help you resolve it as quickly as possible and use your feedback to identify and remove affected stock.
Choosing an Amazon replacement is often the fastest way to get a new reel in your hands, and we would greatly appreciate you letting us know so we can investigate the affected inventory
Warranty
Does my Origin II reel include a warranty?
Yes.
All REEL Fly Fishing Origin II reels are backed by our manufacturer’s warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal fishing use.
Our warranty does not cover accidental damage, misuse, normal cosmetic wear, modifications, or damage caused by improper maintenance.
If you believe your reel has developed a manufacturing fault, please contact our support team with your proof of purchase and a brief description of the issue. We’ll work with you to resolve it as quickly as possible.
Email: shaun@reelflyfishing.co.za
Spare Parts & Servicing
Can I purchase spare parts for my reel?
Yes.
We aim to support our reels for many years after purchase. Replacement spools, bearings, drag components, handles, screws, and other service parts are available for most Origin II models.
If you’re unsure which part you need, simply contact us with your reel model and, if possible, a few photos. We’ll be happy to help identify the correct component and advise on installation or servicing.
For customers who prefer not to carry out repairs themselves, we also offer servicing and repair assistance where available.
Can my reel be serviced?
Absolutely.
The Origin II series has been designed to be fully serviceable. With routine cleaning and occasional maintenance, your reel should provide many years of reliable performance.
If your reel requires servicing beyond routine maintenance, our team can assist with replacement parts, servicing advice, or factory repairs where applicable.
Designed to Fish. Refined to Last.
The Origin II series wasn’t created by selecting a catalogue product and adding our logo.
Each model has been carefully developed by REEL Fly Fishing in South Africa through multiple stages of design, prototype evaluation, refinement and on-the-water testing.
Our reels have been fished across a wide variety of waters—from small mountain streams and rivers to stillwaters, estuaries and saltwater flats—allowing us to continually refine their balance, drag performance, weight and reliability.
Working with world-class manufacturing partners enables us to combine precision engineering with the practical experience gained through countless hours on the water.
The result is a reel designed by anglers, for anglers, and built to perform season after season.
Designed in South Africa by Shaun Carstens. Tested around the world. Built to perform.
Need Support?
If you have any questions about your Origin II reel, need assistance with setup, maintenance, servicing, or spare parts, we’re here to help.
Simply send us an email with your reel model and a brief description of your enquiry, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Email: shaun@reelflyfishing.co.za
We’re committed to providing the same level of support after your purchase as we do during the design and development of every REEL Fly Fishing product.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about your reel, we’re happy to assist.