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