subject: Fly Fishing Gear Maintenance [print this page] All fly fishing accessories need periodic maintenance as does anything else that you own and care about. It's not right that you go fly fishing, catch fish, then go home and neglect your equipment, Double the urgency if your gear is expensive. As I have mentioned in other articles on Fly Fishing Accessories, there are many rods and reels that run in excess of $1000 per piece. And to not take proper care of this caliber of equipment is a shame.
All joking aside though, for your equipment to last a long time, and for it to perform to your expectations, you do need to do periodic maintenance. But this maintenance should not take you a long time. Below are some quick maintenance tips that you can perform to make sure that your fly fishing equipment stays in top condition.
Let's say that you accidentally dropped a rod and reel into the river. Is this a bad thing? yes, this could be a bad thing depending on your location, the condition of the water, and the condition of your gear. accidentally submerging your gear into water and allow particulates from the water to get into the gearing mechanisms, and this could eventually find your reel. This goes double if your reel is a non-sealed unit. Within the reel ourselves that if they are allowed to get saturated can expand and eventually break down causing a reel to not perform the way it should. Therefore, for the non-sealed unit. This is definitely not a good thing.
Therefore, by following these simple steps listed below, you are sure and slit your fly rod and reel will perform as expected will be realized
The first step would be to immediately strip the fly line off of your reel down to the backing, once you return from your fishing trip. Then hose off your reel and rod with your garden hose, then reel your file line back onto your spool. Step four, just leave your fly rod and reel outside to dry. Finally, use the recommended lubricating oil to oil your reel.
Speaking of submerging your rod and reel, if you must do and you have any control over it, keep your rod tip out of the water. The rod tip is the most sensitive and fragile part of your rod, and can be broken off in very short order easily. The current alone, moving the rod against rocks on the bottom can easily snap the rods tip.
regarding the flies that you used during the day. Be sure to rinse these off thoroughly with tap water and allow to dry before storing. This allows them to be restored to their original condition and shape, ready to use next time that you plan on going out fly fishing.
