|
I just finished the third rod that I have built.
This is an 8ft 6in. 5 wt. I finished the rod wraps
and coating them last week. This morning I put on
the tip piece. Last night I put the reel seat on
so it could dry overnight. Then I got to the part
that never works for me.
I put the backing on the reel. Even though I may
never catch a fish that will take me into the
backing, I still put it on so the loops for the
fly line are larger. It does remind me that I did
hook and land a 18 lb channel cat on a 6 wt. I went
into the backing that time.
As soon as I picked up the spool the fly line
was on I knew I was in trouble. I tried to pull
the loop end off first and that did not work at
all. I then found the other end and tried to bring
it off. That worked for about two turns of the spool
and then it was locked up. I knew that the fly line
Gremlin had showed up again. Actually I think this
happens as the factory as the Gremlin knows that
this line is coming to me.
I tried to see if I could find the line on the
spool and just undo maybe one knot, twist or
whatever was there. The best that I could figure
out was that the line made a 90 degree turn and
went to the center of the spool wrapping itself
around every loop of line three times on its way
to the center. Fortunately I could get the spool
to come apart. I was trying to do this gently when
it came apart and the line acted like the proverbial
coiled spring. I had line going in all directions
and coiled all over itself.
This has happened with every fly line that has ever
come in on a spool. Every one of these lines hates
me until I can get it whipped into shape. I found
the loop end and started to undo all the knots and
loops and twists from that point. I am not sure how
many knots I took apart and how many times the line
was twisted around itself. It did take me about 25
minutes to get all of this straightened out. I then
did manage to get it attached to the backing and
wound onto the reel. One of the surprises was how
close I was on the backing so that the line was near
the edge of the reel but not too full. I had forgot
that part of wrapping the line first then wrapping
the backing. Then strip it all off and put it on in
reverse form.
I put on a leader and tied on a fly. Just before
quitting time I had time to run out to a little
pond behind the office where I am at today. No
fish but I did get to cast it a few times. I do
like the way it feels and the way that it casts.
In spite of the fly line I think it was worthwhile
to make this rod.
I hope that you have better luck with fly lines.
I hope that you can get out on the water.
~ Rick ziegeria@grm.net
|
