Tom’s Top Fly Reel Care Tips

Tom Clinton, is our specialist in-store ‘reel doctor’ and is the first port of call for all customers with reels in need of a little TLC. You can avoid having to see him by following his fly reel care advice here!

1. Understand what kind of fly reel you have - is it specific to freshwater or saltwater, or is it an all-water reel?

2. Understand what kind of drag system housing your reel has - is it fully sealed or is it open to moisture ingress?



3. Understand what kind of drag system your reel has - is it a dry drag like a Lamson? Is it a cork drag like a Tibor or Abel? Or is it a click and pawl drag like most small trout reels?



4. If your reel has a dry drag (Waterworks Lamson, for example) make sure you DON'T lubricate it - this will have an adverse effect.



5. If your reel is unsealed and you use it in dirty water, or in saltwater, make sure you rinse it thoroughly between outings - saltwater is corrosive and if left to sit within a reel's structure it can do a lot of damage.



6. Be sure to intermittently remove the spool from the cage of your reel to check if anything looks out of the ordinary - it's not uncommon for things to make their way in without you noticing, and if your reel locks up when you hook a good fish, you'll regret not checking it beforehand.

7. If your reel is an open cork-drag based system, try lubricating it with GT85 bike oil - the Teflon infusion will repel water and dirt whilst lubricating the mechanism at the same time.

Unlike many of our competitors, Farlows offers a completely free, and while you wait, reel clean and overhaul service - you only pay if you require parts or line – so call in to see Tom whenever your reel is looking or feeling a little under the weather and use our fly reel care service.