| Fly fishing enthusiasts can be found in the desert | | | | blank as the tip. Note that there is a heavy |
| southwest. This sport is a way of life for some, | | | | section on the fly-rod, known as the butt. |
| who make this their career. | | | | Generally, blanks are made of graphite but there |
| In the area considered to be the southwestern | | | | are still other materials that can be used. |
| region of the United States, you will find many | | | | Located at the butt of the fly-rod is the reel seat. |
| avenues to try your luck at a sport that has | | | | The rings found on the seat are designed to lock |
| been around for many years. | | | | the reel and the foot in place. |
| Whether you are taking a vacation or would just | | | | Here are some tips when assembling your reel. |
| like to go out for a day fishing in one of the | | | | Step 1: |
| many desert locations, your options are plentiful. | | | | Assemble the fly-rod. Next, attach the reel. (This |
| Fly fishing in the desert southwest is very popular | | | | applies if the the reel and the fly-rod were |
| and you couldn't have picked a better region to | | | | packaged separately.) |
| try your skills at an ancient sport and way of life, | | | | Step 2: |
| for many. | | | | You will notice that there are sections that exist |
| If you are new to the sport and wondering what | | | | on the rod. |
| you will need for equipment, the answer is quite | | | | Once again, this heavier section with the grip is |
| simple. In essence, fly fishing is a sport wherein | | | | referred to as the butt section. The ferrule is the |
| fisherman and fisher women catch their prize | | | | connection between the male and female pieces |
| through the use of artificial flies that are cast out | | | | of the rod. |
| in the water in combination of a fly rod and a fly | | | | Step 3: |
| line. | | | | Place the tip end into the butt end. (If you have |
| The flies are made with materials such as fur, | | | | multiple pieces, you can start assembling at the tip |
| hair, and feathers and are then tied together, | | | | end of the fly-rod.) Align the guides. These are |
| subsequently attached to a hook with a thread. | | | | metal eyelets that the line will be strung through. |
| Fly fishing can best be described as casting a line | | | | Ideally, you want to twist the tip end of the fly |
| rather than a lure, as with the other form of | | | | fishing Arizona rod and then twist it into place. |
| fishing that most people can relate to. | | | | Begin with the sections offset at an approximate |
| Fly rods come in different shapes and sizes but | | | | 45-degree angle. |
| the parts of the rod are all the same. | | | | For three-piece rods, connect the top two pieces |
| There are three types type of string that can be | | | | together. You will assemble this the same way as |
| used. The smaller the number indicated on the | | | | a two-piece rod. |
| string refers to how light it is. | | | | For four-piece fly-rods, assemble both the top |
| Referred to as the fly line, this type is thicker and | | | | two as well as the bottom two sections and then |
| also heavier than your normal fishing line. It is | | | | put them all together. |
| heavier because you need something that will pull | | | | Be careful when assembling your rod. Don't push |
| the fly along the water. | | | | or pull the pieces of the rod as these are delicate. |
| Make sure that you know for sure that you are | | | | Step 4: |
| putting the correct end on the fly-rod reel first. | | | | Make sure the connection between each section |
| Fortunately, most fly lines will have a tag of some | | | | tightly fits together. You will want to be able to |
| sort, indicating which end goes on the reel first. | | | | take it apart without extra effort. Do this |
| You can always ask the sporting goods store to | | | | carefully to prevent breaking it. |
| assist you. They will likely be more than happy to | | | | Step 5: |
| assist you with the assembly. | | | | This just might be the most important step. |
| The main part of the rod, the central shaft, is | | | | Unless you are ambidextrous, you will want to |
| commonly known as the rod blank. This is the | | | | make sure that you place the reel on your |
| section where other parts of the rod connect. | | | | dominant side. |
| Many of the rods are made out of graphite, but | | | | For reference, the reel seat is the part where the |
| other materials have been used. | | | | reel is attached to the rod. The foot is the area |
| You may also find people referring to the Rod | | | | where the bar of the reel runs across the reel. |