How to Set Up a Fly Rod

Fly fishing is one of life's most relaxing pleasures, but only if your fly rod is set up right. You want your fly rod to be an extension of your arm and your fly to sail effortlessly through the air. If your rod is set up right, that is what it will feel like. If you don't string your rod right, your fly will plop 5 feet in front of you, scaring every fish within a mile. Here are some helpful guidelines for proper set up.

Instructions

    • 1

      Match the rod to the line. Don't expect perfection from less than perfect equipment. If you are using a poor quality line, reel or rod, you will be disappointed in the performance. If you are just experimenting with fly fishing, borrow equipment. It can be very frustrating to try to cast a fly on a fly rod that isn't matched to the line. For instance, if you are fishing a small stream, you would want a relatively short rod (7 ft.) with a four to five weight (fairly lightweight) line. This would also assume a fairly small fly, since a short rod with lightweight line won't cast a big fly very well.

    • 2

      Attach the two pieces of the rod together so that the line guides are matched up (look down from the barrel to make sure that they align). Make sure that the two pieces are tightly held together.

    • 3

      Begin setting up your fly rod by attaching the reel to the rod. Usually, you set the curved outshoots of the reel into the slots on the rod and tightening the screw device to tighten the reel into place. The line should come from underneath the reel. Pull out several feet of line.

    • 4

      Push the line through all of the line guides, making sure not to miss one. Before you pass the line through the last line guide (called the tip-top), pull out extra line so that you have the entire leader (the thin plastic-type line) completely through the tip top with a couple of feet to spare. As weird as it sounds, it is best to hold the tip of the line between your teeth while you get your fly ready to tie on.

    • 5

      Tie the fly on with a barrel knot. Finish pulling the line through until you can secure the fly into the cork handle and you are ready to go.