While I am not an expert on old fly reels, I will say that I have never seen one with a level-wind to put the line back on the reel in an orderly fashion.  To have such a contraption may not be impossible but it sure would increase the complexity of the reel.

Those of us who enjoy conventional tackle in addition to fly tackle know full well how vital it is to have a level-wind.  It lays the line back on the spool in a neat and workable way.  While it is still possible to get a loop buried under several layers of line causing problems when we cast and weakening the line in the process, a lot of those issues with spinning rods comes from line twist and the bad habit of closing the bail using the automatic bail closing feature when you begin to reel in your line.  It is far better to close the bail manually so there is no slack in the line to form a loop.

With bait casting reels, the primary problem arises in casting when we don’t have sufficient tension on the line when we cast and the spool turns faster than the cast is pulling it off.  Calling it a bird’s nest is an understatement.  It can be an absolute mess.

Unless we have fished with trolling or bottom fishing reels with no level-wind we likely have never had to figure out how to make the line lay down on the spool in nice even rows when retrieving on the reel.

This means we let the line go where it wills- usually on one side of the reel to the point that it builds up and can even scrape against the frame of the reel, making the reel stop. 

As one whose reels get used by a number of people, novices and old salts alike, I can assure you some folks could use encouragement to figure out a way to use the line hand to guide the line back on the reel evenly.  This will help the line last longer since it doesn’t get all bent out of shape.  This will help you strip off line when you are ready to cast.  This will help when a big fish takes you fly and makes a run to the next county.

I can’t really describe how I do it since I have been doing it for decades.  Usually it seems to involve one or two fingers to gently guide the line back and forth onto the reel while reeling in the line. Yeah, it’s one more thing to learn but it won’t be long before it becomes so automatic that you don’t even think about it.

Don’t hesitate to ask me to demonstrate.  It will feel awkward at first but before you know it you’ll be doing it automatically.

Your line will thank you.  The fish you catch and actually land will curse you.  And I will jump with joy when you return a reel after a casting clinic with the line looking like it just came from the store in its neat and orderly appearance. 

Someone asked me recently what the line should look like on the reel.  It should look neat and orderly with each row right beside the row before it and the row after it. 

Yeah, it’s one more thing to mess with.  But with good line costing $80-$120 per spool, it makes sense to try to keep it working as long as possible.  And losing a fish because the reel couldn’t turn is a bummer.

You can practice after you have cleaned your line and are reeling it back on the spool.   But I find it easier if the reel is mounted on a rod (like you are out fishing) because it makes it feel like you’re fishing and the rod gives you a “handle” on guiding the line.

So, start practicing being your own level-wind with your fly reels.  You’ll be glad you took the time to learn how to do it.