The big black bear plopped its sizable rear end down atop a moss-covered log overlooking the stream, and just scoped out the situation.

This was a beast that clearly had this fishing thing down, at least judging by its drag-the-ground belly and its patient approach to the endeavor before it. Below, half a dozen other black bears jockeyed for position along the salmon-choked southeast Alaskan stream. They tolerated one another, but just barely, as they wandered the banks of the rain-swollen creek looking for likely holding water that didn’t already have a bear in it.

Fly reels are expensive. At least, a lot of them are. For the most part, this is with good reason. Fly reels are relatively intricate pieces of equipment that need to be designed in a way that makes them perform reliably. Though playing most trout won't put most reels to the test, fighting bigger species — especially those found in saltwater — requires a well-constructed, strong reel with a powerful drag that you can count on. Anything less simply won't be up to the task.