Fly lines have come a long way. Silk lines required daily drying and dressing, but advancements in polymer technology have made it so modern fly lines require minimal care. They also offer features unheard of years ago, including color variety, specialization by species, and sinking and shooting-head types for fishing different water, wind and depth conditions.
Minimal care does not mean maintenance free. With the cost of some high quality fly lines pushing $70, it makes sense to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for care and cleaning. These include:
- Avoiding excessive heat exposure and exposure to petroleum based products
- Periodically checking rod / reel contact points for sharp or rough surfaces
- Carefully handling lines when fishing
- Drying line after use and cleaning periodically
- Inspecting line for damage, cracks, and wear
Cleaning fly line preserves the outer protective coating. Fly line consists of a center braided core, an inner supple layer, and a hard outer cast layer. The goal of cleaning the line is to remove the dirt that builds up on the protective outer coating without sacrificing the line’s slickness. Soaking the line in hot water with a mild cleanser will soften the line and allow the cleanser to loosen dirt and debris.
Easy does it. When cleaning your line, avoid using too harsh a cleaner. Place a few drops of mild dish detergent in a tub of hot water and allow the line to soak until the water is lukewarm; then rinse the line with clean water and use a soft clean cloth to gently wipe the line dry.
Give it a stretch. If the line has been on the reel all season, stretch it out. This can be done while drying the line by holding a 3 to 4 foot section between both hands and giving it a few stretches. The line should "give" as you do this. When done right, each stretched section of line will lose its “memory’, or coils, and lay out flat.
Dress it up. Once the line is cleaned, apply a quality line dressing. Examples available on the market include Glide, Scientific Anglers, Loon Outdoors, and RIO, to name just a few. Place a few drops of dressing on a clean soft cloth. As the dressing is applied to the line, stretch it again. Let the dressed line dry in loose coils and repeat the process, buffing the line with a clean soft cloth.
Taking care of fly line should become a habit. Cleaned, dressed, and stretched, it will shoot with ease and cast like new!
Comments