How To

How to Put a Fly-Fishing Rod and Reel Together

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Rate: (6 Ratings)

Most fly-fishing rods come in more than one piece, which allows for easier transport and storage. Putting them together properly can keep parts from getting bent or broken and will ensure that they work as intended.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Fly-fishing Wading Jackets
  • Backing/fly-fishing
  • Fishing Fly Box
  • Fishing Fly Kit
  • Fly-fishing Flies
  • Fly-fishing Leaders
  • Fly-fishing Lines
  • Fly-fishing Nets
  • Fly-fishing Reels
  • Fly-fishing Rods
  • Fly-fishing Vests
  • Waders
Step1
Put the rod together first and then attach the reel, if they came separately.
Step2
Locate and identify all the sections of your rod. They break down into two, three or four pieces. The top end is the tip section. The heavier section with the grip is the butt section. The ferrule is the connection between the pieces.
Step3
Place the tip end into the butt end, or for multiple pieces start at the tip end. You can line up the guides - the metal eyelets the line goes through - later, because you want to twist the tip end to tighten it into place. If you start with the sections offset at a 45-degree angle, when you twist it into place you will be lined up. For three-piece rods, put the top two pieces together and then assemble the same as a two-piece rod. For four-piece rods, assemble the top two and bottom two sections and then put them all together.
Step4
Be careful not to push or pull the pieces of your rod together by the guides - they will come free of the rod very easily, and don't snap them back into place.
Step5
Make sure the connection between each section is snug, but not so tight that you won't be able to pull it apart later when you want to take the rod apart.
Step6
Decide which direction the reel handle should face: this is determined by whether you are right- or left-handed. Where the reel attaches to the rod is called the reel seat, and the bar across the reel is the foot.
Step7
Slide the foot into the slot on the rod, and screw the locking ring over the end so that it is snug but not overly tight.
Step8
Slide the reel into the reel seat, slide the reel lock over the top of the reel foot and screw it down.

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on 6/30/2006 If you have a graphite rod with a good fit, you will probably have trouble fitting the different pieces of your rod together when you first get it. As you assemble and disassemble your rod you will find that it gets easier every time. This happens because the rough surfaces inside the joint are wearing out. Try rubbing the male end of the joint on your nose to get some oil on it then put them together. If you do this it will make assembling the rod easier, and preserve the roughness inside the joint, that ultimately means a better more secure joint.

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eHow Article: How to Put a Fly-Fishing Rod and Reel Together

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