Fly rod to self teach

[Chris Roberts]

So I don't really know anyone who fly fishes, but I'm tired of waiting to find someone.  I've got the urge to learn.  There unfortunately are tons of rods.  I would like a little information/recommendation for a first timer like myself.  I would be targeting panfish, but there's always the chance at catching bass as well.

I would like a rod/reel setup for a budget, but one that would still be able to last me a few years before I grow out of it.

[Leo Nguyen]

The problem with Armor-All is it slowly destroy the waxy materials on the outside, slowly. For the nicked lines, it will destroy it faster. Since I'm a scientific geek, I played with a few protectants, and so far, 303 Aerospace Protectant works the best. My hands are having a hard time gripping anything afterwards for a few hours. I coat the line using the gun cleaning cloth strip to maximize the transfer of the solution onto the line (less than a teaspoon for the 30 meters of line), use the leftover damn strip to coat the frenules of ferrules and guides, follow up with a quick wipe on the rod's body. Tooty's rods now fires like a ballistic rocket with the Scientific WF 4wt. My wife is having a frustrate look as she continually have to strip the line from the reel just to feed through the rod.

[Allen Morgan]

Where can a person obtain the 303 Aerospace Protectant?

[Leo Nguyen]

Here's a place to start:

Amazon

An 8oz is a great start. Do not purchase the wipe. Purchase the fluid type only. if you're planning on purchasing the 16oz, you might as well fork out $3 or $4 and buy the 32oz.

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

 I'm way old school when it comes to fly line dressing, I use a pad and a paste of silicon to lubricate the line but the main thing is to clean the line, there is all kinds of scum that floats on top of the surface and the line dressing cleans the line off and lubricates it so it can shoot through the eyelets.  LOFR

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I’ve never heard of the 303, Leo. But I likes the sound of it.

I have done as Loafer suggests, and just cleaned the line. After, I’ve applied silicone lube and I don’t notice any issues.

[Leo Nguyen]

I've done the same as LOFTR (LOL..Loafer..). But spending $40 to $80 on the lines, I rather protect it as much as I could using a small investment (a few extra bucks) rather than investing in new line because it breaks down a year down the road. I clean, and dress, and protect my rods and line every time I come home. So far, the only chemical composition I know that will protect and enhance the line ability to shoot a bit more is 303. Haven't touch the other ones yet, like Zip Cast, Cortland cleaner and dressing, etc..Moderate price, easy to obtain, and large volume that will last me over a year. I'm all good with that. A bar of Ivory/Dove soap (wife uses it all the time), warm water, and I'm good to go for the entire year.

Oh, since she and I practice quite a bit in a heavily chlorinated pool, it's so ever important to protect the line.

[jim cosgrove]

leo i use the cortland cleaner.it comes in a tin some pads soaked with the cleaner dressing.i am very interseted in the stuff you use.my tfo outfit came with rio line as they were out of the regular 3 wt line,so i got the $80 dollar stuff for free.i always use the mid price line but this rio stuff is in its category.i really lucked out.i think the line is five years old and is still perfect and i use it a lot

[Leo Nguyen]

Jim, you got some nice line with that luck. Protecting is critical, and I still have yet to use Cortland to know its full potential. I merely read the chemical composition via the MSDS. I rather spend the money on getting newer rods, than replacing lines. If you want to use the 303, make sure to find the smallest bottle just to test out. I purchased mine at the local RV store, since it's used primarily on very high end vehicles and RVs that just sit outside for ages. I'm now using it on my minivan as well, since it's get subjected to the various elements that promotes heavy accelerated damages, including my kids and wife. I like it a lot more than Armor-All, costing just a few bucks more.

[dick tabbert]

Also if you have an O'Reilly Auto Parts store might be worth a phone call.

[carl hendrix]

thanks LEO!! I thought I found a good way to slick the line- but if its going to eventually destroy it-- nope!! im changing!!  thanks for the info!!

[Donald Schmotzer]

  Guys, Rather than take a chance on destroying a good fly line, don't you think it would be better to buy a line dressing that was designed for fly lines ? Different cleaners have all kinds of different chemicals in them and only by trial and error could you determine what is harmful or not to a fly line..What may work well on one flyline may be harmful to one made by a different manufacture. A little bottle of line dressing will last a long time (used correctly  ) and is not that expensive in the long run, a lot cheaper than replacing a fly line way before its time. I know its good to be frugal, I just wonder if it is worth the risk.........just my $.02........Don in SC

[Leo Nguyen]

Don, you're right. The composition made by each manufacturer is different, but at the same time, is focused on treating the lines from scratches, UV protection, and improve slickness. From what I understand from Cortland MSDS is, they're using the same formulation as the natural wax distillation process in the past, but now combined with the petroleum distillate of the modern chemicals to refine the adhering property of the dressing. The cleaner is gentle enough to be use on skin, which contain the same property as Ivory and Dove soap bar, yet, Ivory and Dove is less on the cost. I'm a budgeting frugal person..hehehehehe..

I take my chemicals very cautiously when introducing to anything. However, the ionic bonds between the Cortland vs the 303, I see the compounds are more reactive in holding the structure under UV and chemical exposure (such as chlorine water and salt). If Cortland works well, since the formulation is designed for the company's fly line products, and if one feels comfortable in using it, I'm in no way discouraging anyone from using the Cortland product, nor ZipCast, or any other product. I just see potential in other protective chemicals that may provide additional protection that the normal fly fishing product may not have. Something like using threads designed specifically for fly tying, vs threads that use for sewing all-weathers clothing. Just as strong, if not stronger, just as small/medium/large in size, and just as light, yet, fraction of the price.