CHECK THE FLY GEAR.

[DAVY WOTTON]

THIS TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN YOU ARE STUCK IN THE HOUSE AND CANNOT FISH, TAKE SOME SOME TIME OUT AND RUN A CHECK THROUGH YOUR PRIMARY EQUIPMENT.

RODS- CHECK THE GUIDES FOR WEAR- ANY LOOSE WHIPPINGS-IS THE REEL SEAT IN GOOD ORDER- GIVE THE ROD A GOOD CLEAN IF NOT GET THAT SORTED.

FLY REELS- GIVE EM A GOOD WASH OUT, SAND AND GRIT GETS INTO THOSE WORKING PARTS- PROVIDE LUBRICANT TO WORKING PARTS AS SUGGESTED BY THE MANUFACTURER- ANY SIGN OF WEAR.
ANY OF THE ABOVE THEN GET THAT SORTED.

FLY LINES- HOW OFTEN DO YOU STRIP THAT LINE FROM THE REEL AND GIVE IT A DAM GOOD CLEAN- AFTER THAT APPLY LINE CARE ADDATIVE
THAT KEEPS THE LINE SUPPLE AND REDUCES WEAR.
FURTHER TO THAT. RUN THE WHOLE LINE AND BACKING OFF THE REEL. TIE THE LINE TO A FIXED POINT AND WALK BACK FROM IT, THE 200 YARDS OR SO IS GOOD EXCERCISE TO START WITH. RE-WIND IN EVEN TENSION THE BACKING LINE. THEN BEFORE YOU RE-WIND THE FLY LINE GIVE THE WHOLE DEAL A GOOD STRECH- YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH THAT WILL TAKE BEFORE THE LINE BECOMES TAUGHT AGAIN.
AND YOU MAY EVEN FIND DURING THE ABOVE SOME DOUBLED OVER COILS- THAT MAY COST YOU THE FISH OF A LIFE TIME IF YOU HAD NOT SORTED IT. I SEE THAT ONE OFTEN WITH CLIENTS-

[Gordon Bryson]

Davy, what do you consider the best product to use for dressing the fly line? I've heard of Armor-All, and I did use some Rain-X on an old line.
I've got some Scientific Angler Fly Line Dressing that I've used but wondered if there was something better. Usually just wash the line with a bit of liquid dishwasher detergent in warm water, rinse, dry, then apply the dressing. Is this the best method?

[DAVY WOTTON]

GORDON,
IF YOUR LINE EXIBITS CRACKS AND SERIOUS WEAR, THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO LITTLE ABOUT. BUY A NEW LINE. THE MAIN REASON WHY LINES BECOME DAMAGED IS STANDING ON THEM, PARTICULARLY WHEN BOAT FISHING. EVER NOTICE IF YOU BOAT FISH HOW OFTEN THE LINE IS UNDER YOUR FEET WHEN YOU GO TO RE-CAST. I WATCH SOME OF MY CLIENTS, LIKE BALLET DANCERS SOME OF THEM.

I USE A REGULAR DETERGENT AND DO IT TILL THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY MORE GRIME COMING OFF THE LINE. MAKE SURE IT IS DRY BEFORE YOU ADD ANY FURTHER TREATMENT.

MY CHOICE IS TO USE ONE OF THE PRODUCTS THAT THE LINE MANUFACTURER PROVIDES OR ONE THAT IS DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE OF LINE TREATMENT. THERE ARE SOME OTHER'S OUT THERE. LOON PRODUCTS HAS SOME AND THERE ARE ALSO SOME OTHER SOURCES. I WOULD NOT CHOOSE TO USE OTHER PRODUCTS MY SELF.
THERE ARE VERY MANY VARIABLES IN THE CHEMICAL MAKE UP OF FLY LINE COATINGS AND YOU MY WELL DAMAGE THE LINE IF THEY ARE NOT COMPATABLE. FURTHER TO THAT SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS MAY ENHANCE PARTICLES TO STICK TO THE FLY LINE, SOME WILL CHANGE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE UNDER DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE.

ONE GOOD TIP I WILL GIVE YOU GUYS IS AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE GETTING SUN BLOCK PRODUCTS ON A FLY LINE. THERE ARE ONE OR TWO THAT ARE USER FRIENDLY, FORGOT THE NAMES, I NEVER USE THE STUFF

I AM GOING TO POST A FURTHER ASPECT OF DEALING WITH FLOATING LINES IN THE NEAR FUTURE OK.

[Cliff Hilbert]

Davy what do you mean "stuck in the house"??? This is Texas, not Minnesota. :lol: :lol: Heck I've already been fishing three times this week and will be going tomorrow as well. Today I went to Lake Monticello, which is a hot water power plant lake in North Texas, and caught a nice fat 4.8# largemouth. Tomorrow I'm going to Caddo Lake and try to catch some crappie and yellow bass, maybe a few pickerel too. Stuck in the house, no sir.

[DAVY WOTTON]

CLIFF, GUESS, I FORGET YOU GUYS DOWN THERE HAVE SOME WARM WEATHER DAYS TO GO FISH. NOT HERE, COLD AND DUE TO THE HIGH WATER THE TROUT ARE FEEDING ON ACORNS IN THE TREES.
WE GOT THE LAKES OF COURSE, GOOD CRAPPIE FISHING OUT THERE IF YOU CAN FIND THEM.
I HAVE TROUT IN MY PONDS, NO GO RIGHT NOW EVEN THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN. MIGHT HAVE TO HOOK UP WITH YOU THERE, FOR A TIGHT LINE.
LET US KNOW HOW YOU DO.

DAVY

[FishDFly]

SA does not recommend Armor-All, it will cause the line to crack. As pointed out, detergent is great for cleaning lines.

FDF