Fly Rod and Reel Maintenance

So, now we have money and time invested in good rods, reels and line. What do we do to keep them going for years to come and prevent them from wearing out prematurely? Here are some thoughts. Please note that you don’t need to have a reel with a cork drag to follow the guidelines for dealing with reels. Even modern drags need pampering.

COMPOSITE FLY RODS

In a boat, always store rods in a rod holder. Do not lay them in the bottom. It is too easy to step on them or damage them in other ways
Every time the rod is hit against a hard surface such as a gunwale, it causes a stress riser which weakens the fibers and can result in breakage.

I have heard people say, “Don’t worry, it is under warranty.” Remember each time you send a rod in for warranty repair, it will cost you $75 to $100 (unless it is clearly a manufacturing error).

Rinse the rod at the end of every day. This is critical in saltwater. Always use low pressure – water under wrappings (for line guides) will cause corrosion and damage- some folks even take some colorless finger nail polish and apply it on the back sides of line guides where there aren’t any thread wrappings and where often there is no epoxy- that small space underneath the line guide at it sits on the rod).
Every six months, or after an extended trip / extended use, the rod should be inspected, washed with a mild detergent. Tooth brushes come in handy around reel seats, rings and guides.

Finish off with a high-quality countertop polish (not furniture polish) and light machine oil on real seat. If your rod has a wooden reel seat, it can be revitalized with something like Orange Glow or Liquid Gold

Finally, apply paraffin to the male side of all ferrules. I do not recommend candle wax because of the scent chemicals and petroleum products contained in many of them

I do not recommend cleaning cork grips. The oily build-up from your hands actually helps to protect the grip. With a new rod, I apply a generous coat of mink oil, rub it in and dust it with cigar ashes in order to jump start the process.
The do’s and don’t ‘s of rod storage

-Do store in cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight

-Do store disassembled (the sections can stick together firmly over time)

-Do not store leaning against wall because that causes the rod to bend or flex

-Do not store on a rack that causes the rod to bend or flex

-Do not store in tube or sheath (moisture will cause major problems)

FLY REELS

Never place the reel on sandy ground on in the dirt. Use your head and YOUR HAT (throw your hat on the ground and place your reel in it and you are pulling the line through the line guides).
NOTE WELL- when lining up your rod, do not cause yourself needless aggravation by trying to push the leader/tippet through the line guides. Instead, take the first few inches of the fly line, double it over and push it through the line guides, pulling the leader/tippet through behind it. Aside from being easier, this method allows you to let go of the fly line in mid-stream and the line will NOT flow back through all of the line guides and wind up on the floor. It makes this chore so much easier and you will be acting like an old timer who knows what’s what!
At the end of a day’s fishing, always rinse the reel thoroughly with freshwater. Take it apart (remove the spool) to insure all parts are properly cleaned and cared for, especially cork drags.

After an extended trip or extended use, remove line (backing does not have to be removed more than once a year), disassemble reel, and clean with hot water and a mild detergent such as that used to clean the line. Air dry (do not use blow-dryer as it can deteriorate cork drag systems) and apply a light coat of oil to face of cork drag. Put a couple of drops on ball bearings reel spindle and shaft of reel handle. Apply light coat of reel grease to drag pawl assemblies and bearing surfaces and a light coat of oil to all exposed surfaces.

Caution: Avoid temptation to over lubricate and remember that WD-40 is not an acceptable lubricant. [CRC is far superior in its chemical make-up, as is reel oil.]

When not in use, the drag should be completely loosened. This is not an option!

Reels should not be stored in reel bags on tight-fitting containers

FLY LINES

When putting new line on a reel, always make sure line is going onto the reel the way it is coming off of the spool.
Stretch line prior to fishing. Stretch line after fishing by allowing line to trail behind boat for a few minutes.
After the last cast or when spooling up after stretching behind the boat, crank the line in through a bandana or terrycloth hand towel.
At the first opportunity, rinse the fly line using clear tap water and dry using terry cloth towel and treat with a good line dressing (i.e. Glide, Special Delivery)
Thoroughly clean line three or four times a year. Soak in mild soapy water using something like Woolite or Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (do not use harsh laundry or dishwashing detergents – these can break down coatings and impact on the line’s castability and floatability. When clean and dry, apply a good, high quality line dressing
Store lines in cool dry place away from direct sunlight (UV deterioration is a major cause of flyline damage)
Use common sense to avoid physical damage to the surface of your line.

With gratitude to Bobby Sands, the Founder of Cape Fear Flyfishers,

for these recommendations

on good maintenance practices.

Don’t forget to check out the resources of Fly Fishers International at www.flyfishersinternational.org.