How to Set Up Your Fly Rod

Fly Fishing is a sport that demands patience and finesse. The cast is one of the hardest things in sport for one to master. However, the easiest place to start fly fishing, and most likely the easiest part of your fly-fishing adventure, is putting your rod together.

To find the right rod for your local conditions and you, I recommend stopping by the local fly shop and asking them for suggestions and a few tips on what to look for in a rod that suits your ability level. Most shop guys are true addicts and can get you going in the easiest and quickest manner to make sure you're catching fish rather than splashing the water.

Good luck and as we say in the fishing world, "Tight Lines."

Putting the Rod Together

Step 1

Most rods come with a shrink-wrapped plastic sheathing on the cork handles of the rod. Use a small knife or pair of scissors to cut a slit in one end of the plastic sheath and remove by hand. Make sure not to cut the cork handle.

Step 2

Find the ferrules; these are the hollow ends of the rod that the male end of a section inserts into the female ferrule.

Step 3

Line up the dots on each rod section and insert the male into the female. Two items to note here as your rod wears; one, you may experience a loose ferrule where the pieces come apart during casting. If this occurs, rub a little paraffin or surf wax on the male end and the pieces will grip. If you experience the opposite problem-the ferrules will not come apart-rub the male end behind your ear before connecting. The bodies natural oil will make it a snap to pull the offending ferrules apart.

Seating the Reel

Step 1

Find the indention in the reel handle and insert the reel foot into the seating.

Step 2

The rear of the handle should have a little piece that looks like a washer followed by two 'bolts' around the reel handle. Slide the 'washer' over the reel foot. The washer is the back part of the real seating and will have a corresponding indention that fits securely around the reel foot.

Once the reel seating is secured around the reel foot, tighten the two bolts, one at a time, firmly against the rear reel seating-the 'washer'

Step 3

Pull out approximately 12 feet of line from the reel. Double over the end and thread through the guide eyes.

Tie on your favorite fly, hit the water, and have fun.