Whether it is casting farther, wading more confidently or getting an extra long, drag free drift with our flies, the equipment we use is seldom the limiting factor. However, ignoring proper and timely maintenance can severely hamper not only our abilities as fly fishers but also our overall enjoyment of this placid, reflective activity. Our overall enjoyment can be severely limited by an equipment problem. This article is intended as a checklist to help avoid trip disappointments. Rods Modern fly rods represent a significant investment and as such deserve a thorough, pre-season inspection.
Areas requiring special attention include guides and tip-top, ferrules, cork grips and reel seats.
Probably the most critical of these are the guides and tip-top. Even though most guides are made of stainless steel with a coating of industrial grade hard chrome a dirty fly line can groove these guides in an amazingly short time. Check the guides under a magnifying glass or better yet retrieve an old pair of nylon pantyhose. When a portion of the hose is pulled through the guide a snag will form if a groove is present. Tissue paper can also be used in the same way.