Fly Fishing Tackle Maintenance Guide

Introduction

Maintaining and cleaning your fly fishing tackle is crucial, especially if you've been fishing in saltwater. Salt can be highly damaging, leading to corrosion and degradation over time. Follow these practical steps for both freshwater and saltwater environments to extend the life of your gear.

Step 1: Cleaning Fly Rods

Cleaning your fly rods regularly is one of the most overlooked tasks. Proper cleaning can prevent corrosion and extend the life of your equipment.

• Wipe Thoroughly: Use a damp dishcloth to clean the rods, focusing on metal hardware like reel seats and rod guides. Clean each eyelet carefully.
• Focus on Eyelets and Hardware: Debris can accumulate under small areas, leading to corrosion. Wipe these areas thoroughly and rinse with cold water.
• Dry Completely: Ensure rods are completely dry before storing them. Moisture left in the rod tubes or sleeves can cause damage.

TIP: Never store rods away wet, as this can lead to significant damage.

Step 2: Caring for Fly Reels

Fly reels are susceptible to corrosion, particularly in saltwater environments. Follow these steps for proper maintenance:

• Wipe Down: Clean reels with a damp dishcloth, ensuring you reach all areas, including drag knobs and reel seats.
• Brush It Down: Use an old toothbrush for stubborn debris or stains.
• Dry Them: Dry reels thoroughly with a clean towel.
• Oil Them Up: Inspect mechanical components and apply lubrication if necessary. A little oil or grease goes a long way.
• Avoid Storing Wet Reels: Moisture can cause corrosion over time.

Step 3: Maintaining Fly Lines

Dirt and grit build up on fly lines after every trip and eventually it can affect their performance. Ideally, you want to try and clean your fly line after every session; however, if this is not feasible, we recommend doing it as often as possible. Here's how to clean them::

• Initial Wipe Down: Remove the line from the reel and place it in a bucket of warm soapy water, let it soak for 5-10 minutes and then wipe it down with a warm, wet dishcloth by running the fly line through your thumb and fingers to remove the soap and any additional dirt. Repeat the last step again if there is any additional soap residue present.
• Use a Fly Line Cleaner: Use a slightly abrasive microfibre cloth or specialised line cleaner to remove stubborn debris by running the line through the cloth or specialised cleaning pad.
• Apply Fly Line Conditioner: After cleaning the line you want to restore the slickness and durability of your line by using a conditioner, spray the conditioner on a clean cloth and run the line through the cloth.

Note: Some conditioners are designed for floating lines only, so please check manufacturer guidelines or ask us for advice.

Step 4: Cleaning and Storing Flies

Proper care of flies is crucial to ensure they remain effective.

• Soak in Fresh Water: Soak saltwater flies in a bowl of fresh water for a few hours to remove salt and debris.
• Dry Completely: Allow flies to dry for several days to prevent rust.

Pro Tip: Use a fly patch to dry flies before storing them and add silicone gel packets to fly boxes to eliminate moisture.

Conclusion

Investing time in cleaning and drying your fly fishing gear, especially after saltwater trips, will protect it from corrosion and ensure long-term performance. With proper care, your rods, reels, lines, and flies will reward you with years of reliable use.