How to Rig a Fly Rod
If you are new to fly fishing, getting your first fly rod can be an exciting second. But before you can get out on the stream or lake, you need to rig your fly rod. Rigging means putting with each other all the components needed to properly use a fly rod. Not like spinning or casting rods which only require a monofilament line, a fly fishing rod utilizes a fly line, backing, a leader and a tippet . There are also specific knots which are used to connect the different sections together.
Attach your fly reel to the fly rod and run backing through the rod guides and tie it to the spool or arbor with the arbor knot. Backing is a Dacron line that adds volume to the reel and makes it possible for the fly line to come off the spool quickly. It can also act as protection in case a large fish operates off with all your fly line.
Wind the backing on to the reel by using your thumb and index finger to keep the line taut while winding it evenly around the spool. Cut off the line about two feet from the rod tip and attach the end of your fly line to the end of the backing utilizing an Albright knot.
Spool the fly line on to the reel and leave about two feet hanging from the rod tip. Attach a 6- to 12-foot tapered monofilament leader to the end of the fly line with a nail knot. You do not have to wind all the leader through the guides.
Attach a tippet to the end of the leader with a blood knot. A tippet is a section of monofilament line among the leader and the fly.
Tie a fly of any type to the tippet employing the improved clinch knot. Wind the slack and secure your fly hook to the fly keeper or final guide on the rod. The fly rod is now rigged and you're ready to go fishing.
Related: How To Fly Fish
Attach your fly reel to the fly rod and run backing through the rod guides and tie it to the spool or arbor with the arbor knot. Backing is a Dacron line that adds volume to the reel and makes it possible for the fly line to come off the spool quickly. It can also act as protection in case a large fish operates off with all your fly line.
Wind the backing on to the reel by using your thumb and index finger to keep the line taut while winding it evenly around the spool. Cut off the line about two feet from the rod tip and attach the end of your fly line to the end of the backing utilizing an Albright knot.
Spool the fly line on to the reel and leave about two feet hanging from the rod tip. Attach a 6- to 12-foot tapered monofilament leader to the end of the fly line with a nail knot. You do not have to wind all the leader through the guides.
Attach a tippet to the end of the leader with a blood knot. A tippet is a section of monofilament line among the leader and the fly.
Tie a fly of any type to the tippet employing the improved clinch knot. Wind the slack and secure your fly hook to the fly keeper or final guide on the rod. The fly rod is now rigged and you're ready to go fishing.
Related: How To Fly Fish
