Fly fishing is a great hobby for all kinds of people to take up. But maintaining the necessary gear can prove to be a daunting task. Much of the equipment can seem complicated to beginners. Many experienced anglers don\’t know how to take the proper precautions to protect their gear. Whether you\’ve never fished before or you\’ve been doing it for years, we\’ve got you covered in this article with all of the information you need to clean and maintain your fly rod and reel.
Storage
The first thing to know about maintaining fly rods is that most of them are not broken while actually fishing. The majority of fly rods get damaged during transportation. For this reason, it is important to always travel with your rod safely stored in its case.
It is also important to store your rod in a place where it is not exposed to extreme temperatures. Keeping it out of the cold and heat can do a lot to preserve the rod and prevent it from warping or bending.
Rod holders can also be a useful tool for fisherman. Instead of leaning your rod up against a wall, put it in a holder so it is secure. This makes sure that your rod won\’t fall and break on the ground or get stepped on. Make sure to put your rod down with the tip up because the tip is the easiest part of the rod to snap.
Storing rods sideways is never a good idea because it can lead to the rod warping. Also, make sure not to bend an individual section of your rod. The sections are meant to bend when they are all together, but not when separated.
After use, it is important to wipe down your rod with a dry towel. In some cases, it may even be advisable to use a toothbrush to clean your rod. After fly fishing in saltwater, it is important to wipe down your rod multiple times to get rid of all the salt and other debris that may have built up.
If there are nicks in your guides, you can try to sand the nicks down with sandpaper. If you can\’t get rid of the nicks, it is probably necessary to replace the guides. Leaving nicks in the guides can cause your line to snap when you are reeling in a fish.
Periodically cleaning your rod with warm water and dish soap is also beneficial to extending the lifespan of your gear. Waxing the ferrules occasionally may help you keep your rod safe as well. You can use furniture polish to shine your rod and make it look more aesthetically pleasing.
If your rod has a cork handle, you may want to wear gloves while you are fishing. The oils on your hands can actually wear down the cork and cause it to deteriorate. Wearing gloves makes sure that the oils don\’t reach the cork and this can extend the lifespan of your rod.
Service Fly Reels
When storing your reel, make sure that the drag pressure is on the lowest setting. This reduces the tension in the reel and helps it stay in good health.
After fishing in freshwater, all that needs to be done is to dry your fly reel. This involves taking apart all of the pieces so they can dry separately. The reel is the most intricate of all your gear so this can be a difficult task. If it is your first time taking apart your fly reel, you may want to take pictures of all the steps when taking it apart so you can remember how to put it back together.
If your fishing in saltwater, it is important to remove the fishing line before you store your rod. You are also going to want to wipe down the pieces of your reel with a dry cloth or brush to get rid of any salt or debris. Make sure not to use a wire brush to clean your reel because these can actually harm the equipment as they are too abrasive. Compressed air can also help to get rid of any grime that builds up on your reel.
Depending on your reel, you may need to add some oil to help it stay lubricated. Make sure to only use the type of oil that your reel requires, if it requires any oil at all.
Looking For Cracks On Fly Rods
Cracks in your fly rod can be detrimental to your rod and lead to breaks. It is important to keep an eye out for cracks. If you catch them early on, you may be able to repair them. You can fill in small holes with wood glue or another filler. Otherwise, cracks may lead to you having to buy a new rod, which can get expensive.
If you have a crack in your ferrule that runs less than half an inch deep, it can most likely be repaired. This is as simple as cutting off the part of the ferrule that is cracked and rewrapping it with a ferrule wrap.
When to Replace Fly Lines
Storage of your line is very important. Make sure to keep it away from extreme heat or cold temperature. Also make sure it is not stored in a damp area because this can decrease the reliability of your line. It is best to store the line in a case or bag that is away from the elements. Leaving your fly line out in the sun or stepping on it can also ruin its integrity.
Your fly line is the most fragile piece of gear that you use. It is important to keep an eye out for nicks or dirt on your line. You should clean your line periodically with soap and water using a sponge. This will clear away any dirt and help it float higher and cast better. It might also be necessary to apply a dressing to your fly line that will allow it to more easily pass through the guides.
The start of your line is going to be the most used, so it is important to check often for nicks and scratches. If you notice any, you might want to cut off a few feet to get to a less damaged part of the line. If your line becomes too short from doing this or the entire line is damaged, it is time to replace your line.
Taking Care of Flies
Flies are probably the easiest piece of equipment to take care of, but negligence can still be detrimental to your fishing trip. All you have to do is make sure that your flies are dry after you use them and put them back in their box. Failure to do this can lead to rust build up that can break them. You wouldn\’t want to have a fish on the line and have your hook break and let your catch get away. Make sure to go through your flies every so often and throw out any rusty hooks.
It can also be helpful to keep your fly box organized so that you know where the specific hooks are if you want them. This can save you time searching for a hook so you don\’t waste valuable fishing time.
Also make sure to take hooks and lures off of your rods when you are finished using them. This will prevent them from getting tangled up with other rods. To clean your lures, all you have to do is rinse them with water and wipe them down with a cloth or brush.
Importance of Maintaining Your Gear
While taking the proper steps to maintain your gear may seem like a daunting and complicated task, it is extremely important. The worst thing that can happen to a fly fisherman is finally getting out on the water and having your gear malfunction. Regularly cleaning your equipment can help make sure your rod doesn\’t snap and your reel works properly.