Abstract: A hand reel for fishing line is formed by an outer annular member rotatable about an inner annular member, both the inner and outer members are made of two annular halves, an outer peripheral surface of the outer annular member is of a generally U-shaped radially outwardly opening configuration as viewed in radial cross-section to accommodate fishing line thereupon, the inner annular member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outwardly opening slots which guidingly receive an innermost circumferential edge of the outer annular member for guiding relative rotation between the two annular members, a slot formed in at least one of the inner annular member halves receives a brake mechanism spring biased axially outwardly and having an axial inboard end portion in bearing engagement against an annular braking surface portion of the outer annular member, the braking mechanism also includes an axially outboard end portion manually manipulable by the fingertips of a user's hand to selectively regulat