Fishing Q&A

fly fishing?

Any tips for things to do with new fly line before you put in on the spool anything to help with casting and performance

Public Comments

1. Today's flyline is ready to go as is - do not add anything to it. Just put it on your reel attach to backing, tie on a leader and you are ready to go. My reccomendation is to just clean it with a soft cloth free of any chemicals at the end of the day. Too many times people have ruined new fly lines by cleaning them. The lubricants are "built in" and by using a chemically treated cloth you are actually doing more harm than good.
2. Pheasant tail has got it right you don't need to do anything to them, especially not the old theory of stretching them before you use them, however some floating lines don't have the end sealed and this can let water in causing them to be a sink tip, i add a tiny amount of superglue to the end and then add my braided loop, this prevents the tip form filling with water, as for every thing else there's nothing to do unless its an intermediate that wont sink, at which point i will clean the line with degreasent, fullers earth mix works but there are types made by loon.
3. just put it on and use it
4. Make sure you remember to put some backing on it first! I guess maybe if it's an ultra light you may skip this step. Go with a backing that is an alternate color from the fly line, that way you get that sweet two tone fluorescent look on your spool. Make sure you use the correct knots. Use and Arbor knot to put the backing on the spool and the Albright to tie backing to fly line. Here's some animated examples that make those knots a cinch ;) http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php?LogoImage=.&Website=
5. Generally 5 tips from a fishing guides class. 1. Leave really early expecting to make trail, then chose. 2. Select limited equipages, even lures to concentrate on targetted fish. This is also courteous attitude. 3. Select appropriate lures, plan, and gear for what amount of work you intend to command and finish. 4. Be armed if necessary for bear, wolves, where you are may be transient in that area by events like picnic refuse, campouts, fishing feed, or owl reports. Practice the shot that counts, lower leg for bear while far enough away. 5. Selection of lures that you make for relaxing, for stock use lures that score. Get local brochures from the top selection in fresh fish at local grocers.
6. with over 40 years of fly fishing under my belt, i can tell you, that after a days fishing, it is best, to clean & re lubricate your line, to remove any contaminates ( dirt & other trash ) that has adrered to your line. there is no need to do anything to your line before you use it the 1st time, but for best performance, clean it on a regular basis, with a good silicone based fly line cleaner
7. Read the Curtis Creek Manifesto, and the Idiots guide to fly fishing. As far as I am concerned these are two must have books on fly fishing.
8. JUST PUT IT ON AND GO FISH
9. Some fly lines do benefit from a good stretch prior to fishing for the 1st time, especially if they've been packaged for a while. Prior to fishing get your buddy to hold the fly line's end, walking back, let out all your fly line. Then clamp down on it and give it a good stretch prior to winding it back onto the reel. This removes any memory in the line and aids casting. Maintaining your line as outlined by previous answers will keep it working well for you, helping put plenty of fish on the bank!