Putting the Fly Rod & Reel Back Into Commission

[MickinMO]

Bought an ok fly rod and reel back during college and fished a lot with it for about 10 years. STX reel and Diamondback rod. Got busy with work and family so it has sat for about 10 years now. I know I need new backing and line, but not sure what I need to oil on the reel or worry about the rod being brittle. Both have been stored in a climate controlled environment. If you have any good suggestions for a fly shop that could help me with getting my reel back. Live in Jeff City, but am in Springfield and Branson often. Back when I was fly fishing a lot I would go to Backcountry Outfitters in Springfield on Battlefield and they would set me up. I am guessing they are no longer around.

[grizwilson]

Plateau Fly Shop has replaced Backcountry, they are located on S. Campbell next to Fin and Feather on the west side just north of Battlefield.  (Do not remember how long ago Back Country moved from the Battlefield location) There is also a great BBQ/Smoker store in the center.... good place to stop.

[fishinwrench]

It may be fine.  If the line has no cracks just give it a good stretch and wash it.

Wipe off the reel, put a single drop of oil on the axle and go fishing.

[tjm]

It shouldn't need replacement, I use lines that  I bought in the '80s regularly and I have a couple sinking lines that date from the '70s that still look good. I'd tie one end to a bush and stretch the line a few times and clean it while stretched; then tie on a new leader and take it fishing. Some lines I stretch before fishing on every outing, it relaxes the reel memory. Cracking would be the key to needing replacement.(fwiw, if the cracking is only at/near the end, you can cut off several feet of level line on the tips of most fly lines without really changing the way they work)

" Wipe off the reel, put a single drop of oil on the axle and go fishing. "  with emphasis on the single drop. (I might wash the reel in a dish soap solution to get off old grease/dirt. I have seen a lot of reels that had too much lube applied and collected dirt in the lube. )

[TRRANGER]

Plateau Fly shop in Springfield, go see Ty Ingram he will fix you up.

 

[David Unnerstall]

15 hours ago, MickinMO said:

Bought an ok fly rod and reel back during college and fished a lot with it for about 10 years. STX reel and Diamondback rod. Got busy with work and family so it has sat for about 10 years now. I know I need new backing and line, but not sure what I need to oil on the reel or worry about the rod being brittle. Both have been stored in a climate controlled environment. If you have any good suggestions for a fly shop that could help me with getting my reel back. Live in Jeff City, but am in Springfield and Branson often. Back when I was fly fishing a lot I would go to Backcountry Outfitters in Springfield on Battlefield and they would set me up. I am guessing they are no longer around.

When my father-in-law gave me his fishing gear I took the reel to Hargrove's and had it reloaded -- good idea.  And then I bought a $225 Patagonia fishing vest -- bad idea.