Take Care Of Those Fly Lines

[SilverDoctor]

There are many ways to clean modern fly lines...the important thing is remove the inevitable dirt and perhaps apply something to protect from UV. I figured it would be a great time to address the fly lines, started with my small stream ones. Trying some new Fly line conditioner, Rio Wizz Lube. And on top of that she winked at me. I like recycles for reel bags, fun to empty. There are some good line treatments by major manufacturers. It’s always a good Idea to find out what is recommended for your line. With the price of equipment it’s a good idea to take care of your stuff. Besides us old guys are penny pinchers. This comes from my own experience and is only my viewpoint.

 

Cleaning
First of all a good cleaning, you line constantly picks up fine debris from the water tension. Some lakes and streams have more surface particles than others. It works great much better than using any commercial fly line cleaner. A good cleaning will insure that they float high, don’t wear guides and cast smoothly with good distance. There are times when just a good cleaning alone will suffice and reinvigorate a fly line. It also gives you an opportunity to examine your fly line for any nicks or abrasions that need to be addressed.

 

First fill a sink or bucket with warm (not hot) water. Add a gentle dish detergent like Dawn or Ivory (stay away from hand soap or bar soap. I like to strip out my fly line and gently swish it around. Let it soak for about 15 minutes. If they are really dirty pulling them through some soft cotton cloth in the water will clean them up. Then pull the line(s) out and drain the dishwater, fill the container with warm water and put the line in to rinse well removing any soap residue. Then drain and run the line through a soft dry cloth to dry it. If your line floats high that’s all that’s needed. I like to add a good line conditioner and floatant.

 

Dressing
Commercial ones I have tried that work great are Russ Peak's line dressing & RIO Agent X. Some say Armor-All gives good results but I would be careful and try a small bit only. My go to line dressing for years has been a hand cream called Albolene that like other dressing I wipe on the line and polish off (tip: it also makes a great dry fly floatent). I’ve used commercial ones for the last few years now. Many of them come with a pad system that you squeeze the stuff into and them pull the line through. Some even claim to clean the line and dress it but I really like to wash my lines once or twice a year.

 

Do this and add to years your fly lines life. Others may like to add their own experiences.

 

 

 

[Swede]

That's great advice Doc I clean all my lines several times a season . Clean line performs so much better than a dirty line.

[Sage]

Great advice, thanks Lornce!

 

 

[Swede]

One thing I would like to add is if you apply your line dressing on your kitchen lino floor as i do by pulling the line back and forth in a cloth in my hand . well just be careful to wipe up the floor. Dam near broke my back walking over the spot it was so slick lol.

[TheBrownWhisperer]

I now know a perfect use for purple crown royal bags...

[ÜberFly]

You mean better then for storing your marbles in?!

 

 

 

I now know a perfect use for purple crown royal bags...