reel / fly line care

[Cam]

I posted a question yesterday and think I will look into getting some new line. Todays question is this. What is the proper way to care for your fly line once it is on the reel. Part two - Should I worry about getting the reel - line - backing wet. Right now I try to keep the reel dry, is that too much? If the whole works does take a swim should I try to dry it out? Please help. Thanks -Cam

[Larry S.]

With the new SA line with AST not much is needed. I have a "Reel-E-Good" winder that I use occasionaly to wipe down the lines with just an old wash cloth. Of course it depends on the quality of the water. Last year all the water I fished was clear due to the low conditions. I don't think I did much if any wiping.
On some of my older line I would clean with Loon Line Speed and wipe with a dry wash cloth.

As far as getting your gear wet I have seen people lay down their rod in the water to release a fish and pick it up and start fishing again. I have never done this on purpose and I don't know if it would hurt anything but we're talking about several hundred dollars worth of stuff here. Maybe it is my protective nature regardless of lifetime warranties. You might as well start right into fishing with it though. I can't think of a better way to dry it out.

[mcgx2]

Most fishing equipment is made to withstand water. We fish with it therefore it stands a very good chance of gettting wet. Manufacturers take this into account and design their products to withstand being submerged. I have submerged my equipment many times, usually along with myself, over the years. There is nothing to worry about. Just let it dry when you are done fishing.

mcg

[cardiac]

I haven't done anything to my lines as far as cleaning them. GPX-AST coated lines (3 floating) and Cortland Clear Camo, Cortland type II and IV. Guess I ought to huh? I do wash out and lube my reels though, and use Pledge on all my rods. Not a bit of dust on 'em.

[Ouzel]

Since most of us fish freshwater most of the time I will give my views concrning line and reel care.
True, our equipment today is much better than in the past but that does not mean it is bulletproof. Every line and reel mgf. include operating and maintenance instructions with the product; they should be read, followed and stored away for referance.
Reel care is the simplest (unless you get it wet) and requires typically less then 5 minutes to take the reel apart, wipe off any grit with a cotton swab, lightly regrease shaft and reassemble reel.
If you get it wet you need to remove all of the line plus backing to dry, fully desassemble the reel, clean it, regrease and reassemble.
Why? It is overkill? Every clear stream or river is located in valleys it has made because it carries grit that constantly wears away the bottom and banks. That same grit will wear your reel down unnecessarily.
Our fly lines are in the same water. Even with the new coatings it only takes 2 minutes when finished for the day to pull the line out and reel it back up through a tissue or handkerchief to remove the grit. There are even kits that attach to the rod (Loon's) to help add cleaners and or presevative coatings.
Each of us invests that money they can afford to purchase equipment and fish for hours at a time. A few minutes of maintenance will make that investment last for many years.
My oldest reel (Pfluegar #1494) has seen 42 years of service.

[Cam]

I will take all that into account! I have had the problem of the backing and all free-spooling on the reel and was told that it was because it was wet. I KNOW it was not a loose knot. I have since put a thin layer of cotton on the reel before tying the backing on and not had any trouble. Anyway thanks for the kind words.
-Cam