How to Assemble a Fly Rod

Fly fishing is a great, satisfying sport. The most fundamental concern will be having your fly rod assembled correctly so you can fish. It's a simple process, but if not done correctly, fly fishing cannot happen.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fly rod
• Fly reel (loaded with line)

1. 
    
   Two ends of fly rod sections

   Assemble the rod itself. Fly rods come in sections, from 2 to as many as 7-piece travel rods. The sections go in order from the butt to the tip, and from pieces larger to smaller in diameter. Ultimately the pieces will go together so that the eyes of the rod (what the fishing line will pass through) are aligned straight. The ends of the adjoining section fit inside each other. Don't just shove them together, but twist them slightly as they are brought snuggly together (when disassembling the rod, twist in the opposite direction).

2. 
    
   Reel in the Reel Seat

   Attach the reel to the rod. The reel seat is at the butt end of the rod. The reel goes at the very end of the rod, the handle is just above the reel, then the rod proper. A slot will be located at the top of the reel seat in which one of the reel tabs will be inserted. This is easily located by following the eyes down to the real seat. The slot will line up with the eyes. From the bottom of the rod, a ring will come up over the other reel tab to secure it in place. This ring is either pushed firmly in place or screwed up the seat until secure. Make sure the reel handle is on the correct side of the rod. Holding the rod with tip pointing way and the reel on the bottom, the handle should be on the left for a right handed person and on the right for a left handed person.

3. 
    
   Looped fly line threaded through rod eye

   Thread the fishing line through the eyes. Since a fly rod is longer than many other fishing rods, it's best to set the end of the rod on the ground and work your way up toward the tip of the rod. Bend the fly line over to make a little loop (use the larger, colored fly line and not the leader or tippet) and thread that through each eye. This way, in case you drop the line, the looped fly line won't fall back through the eyes, it will stop at the last threaded eye.

[A1handyman]

on 3/19/2009 Nicely done David!

[Mitestarossa]

on 1/13/2009 Great detail!