Caring for Your Fly Lines and Backing
No matter which kind of fly line you choose to use, you will need to take care of your fly line to ensure that it will last you a good long time. Fly line is not indestructible, and it will need a little care and a few precautions to ensure the life of your fly line. Fly lines get damaged in several ways. Most of the time a fly line will get damaged through mechanical wear and tear. Ripping through the ring guides, getting stepped on, running the line across coral, sand and mud.Even the UV rays from the sun along with excessive heat can be damaging. We can’t forget that exposing the fly line to chemical substances, such as suntan lotion, gasoline or insect repellant will damage the fly line. These chemicals can also damage the finish on you fly rod, so you will want to take extra precautions when using these products around your fly fishing equipment.
Fly line manufactures create the fly line so there is a lubricant inside the fly line coating. The porous coating allows the lubricant to slowly release which will keep the line sticky and leave it with the ability to float. Sand, mud and dirt will clog the pores blocking the lubricant so it can’t do its job. It is important to keep your floating line clean.
When the outer coating starts developing small cracks, it will be your first visible sign that a fly line is reaching the end of its life. Once you see the cracks, water will get into the line and the deterioration will progress rather quickly.
Leaving the fly line wound on a small spool, usually the reel, for long periods of time will create line memory. When the line will stay coiled when removed from the spool. If your line is coiled like the tail on a piglet, casting ability is hampered in turn it will affect the fly delivery.
With out proper care a fly line will only last for one season. With the proper care fly line will last for several seasons. It only requires a small amount of effort to take care of the fly line.
When fishing even in clean water there are microscopic particles of dirt that will stick to the floating line adding weight that will prevent the natural tendencies of the line to float. Some manufacturers include cleaner pads in the package with the line. They recommend that the working part of the line be wiped with the cleaner pad every time before it is to be used. The pads clean the surface of that line and leave behind a thin layer of lubricant to assist the line in moving through the rod guides. Other manufactures suggest washing the line using a mild soap and water and drying with a soft dry cloth afterwards. The floating line will ensure the expected performance of the line no matter how it is cleaned.
Backing hardly needs any maintenance when being used for freshwater fishing, but saltwater can effect the backing along with the UV rays and mildew. Backing should be inspected often for damaged or weak spots. When drying up, salt crystals can encrust the backing together.
Here are some other tips for line care.
Rinse the fly line in tap water before the salt and dirt dry. It should be stored on a large arbour, vented spool until the next fishing trip.
ly line and backing should be soaked in hot soapy water for several hours several times a year, more if you are saltwater fishing. This will loosen the dirt and salt.
he soap used to clean the fly line should be baby shampoo or natural hand soap.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions when apply a silicone based dressing to the fly line.
Sometimes they can do more harm than good.
By stretching the line before you take it out fishing, casting the line will be much easier.
Pick up the line rather than dragging it over rocks, sand, docks and deck which will cause damage to the coating.
Try not to step on your fly line.
When you need to practice casting, practice on a lawn, not dirt or asphalt.
When your fly line is not in use, keep it covered not exposed to the sun.
If you are using a double taper fly line, it is best stored on a large arbor, vented spool during you fishing down time. Do not leave on your fly reel.
When twist and kinks develop in your fly line, they can be removed by removing the leader and fly. Allow the line to troll behind the boat for a few minutes. If you are on a river, let it hang in the water. Then take a soft cloth and remove the twists by pulling the fly line between your fingers always from the rear to the front taper. This procedure may have to be repeated to remove all the twists and kinks.
Never store fly line wet. The damp fly line and backing place in an enclosed space can cause the line to become stained and mildewed. This will attack the outer coating resulting in poor casting and floating ability. Fly line is best stored on a large arbor, vented spool.
Catching a large fish is only possible with fishing gear that is in perfect working order. Use these tips to keep your fishing gear in the best condition possible, so that you will not let the BIG ONE get away.
Fly line manufactures create the fly line so there is a lubricant inside the fly line coating. The porous coating allows the lubricant to slowly release which will keep the line sticky and leave it with the ability to float. Sand, mud and dirt will clog the pores blocking the lubricant so it can’t do its job. It is important to keep your floating line clean.
When the outer coating starts developing small cracks, it will be your first visible sign that a fly line is reaching the end of its life. Once you see the cracks, water will get into the line and the deterioration will progress rather quickly.
Leaving the fly line wound on a small spool, usually the reel, for long periods of time will create line memory. When the line will stay coiled when removed from the spool. If your line is coiled like the tail on a piglet, casting ability is hampered in turn it will affect the fly delivery.
With out proper care a fly line will only last for one season. With the proper care fly line will last for several seasons. It only requires a small amount of effort to take care of the fly line.
When fishing even in clean water there are microscopic particles of dirt that will stick to the floating line adding weight that will prevent the natural tendencies of the line to float. Some manufacturers include cleaner pads in the package with the line. They recommend that the working part of the line be wiped with the cleaner pad every time before it is to be used. The pads clean the surface of that line and leave behind a thin layer of lubricant to assist the line in moving through the rod guides. Other manufactures suggest washing the line using a mild soap and water and drying with a soft dry cloth afterwards. The floating line will ensure the expected performance of the line no matter how it is cleaned.
Backing hardly needs any maintenance when being used for freshwater fishing, but saltwater can effect the backing along with the UV rays and mildew. Backing should be inspected often for damaged or weak spots. When drying up, salt crystals can encrust the backing together.
Here are some other tips for line care.
Rinse the fly line in tap water before the salt and dirt dry. It should be stored on a large arbour, vented spool until the next fishing trip.
ly line and backing should be soaked in hot soapy water for several hours several times a year, more if you are saltwater fishing. This will loosen the dirt and salt.
he soap used to clean the fly line should be baby shampoo or natural hand soap.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions when apply a silicone based dressing to the fly line.
Sometimes they can do more harm than good.
By stretching the line before you take it out fishing, casting the line will be much easier.
Pick up the line rather than dragging it over rocks, sand, docks and deck which will cause damage to the coating.
Try not to step on your fly line.
When you need to practice casting, practice on a lawn, not dirt or asphalt.
When your fly line is not in use, keep it covered not exposed to the sun.
If you are using a double taper fly line, it is best stored on a large arbor, vented spool during you fishing down time. Do not leave on your fly reel.
When twist and kinks develop in your fly line, they can be removed by removing the leader and fly. Allow the line to troll behind the boat for a few minutes. If you are on a river, let it hang in the water. Then take a soft cloth and remove the twists by pulling the fly line between your fingers always from the rear to the front taper. This procedure may have to be repeated to remove all the twists and kinks.
Never store fly line wet. The damp fly line and backing place in an enclosed space can cause the line to become stained and mildewed. This will attack the outer coating resulting in poor casting and floating ability. Fly line is best stored on a large arbor, vented spool.
Catching a large fish is only possible with fishing gear that is in perfect working order. Use these tips to keep your fishing gear in the best condition possible, so that you will not let the BIG ONE get away.
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