LINE CARE
Your new or recently washed Fly Line, will last longer and perform better with a little care.
Before using for the first time, or after a good wash and suitably dried in loose spools, we recommend you then treat your line with our specially formulated Snowbee Fly Line lubricants. With a new line this is not essential but not only can this help protect the line from abrasion, but it will also help significantly reduce friction too when passing through the line guides. For floating lines there is the Fly Line Slick (SLSK) and for sinking lines (or sinking parts of lines) there is the Fly Line Degreaser (SFLD).
To apply the line slick, lay the line out on a clean surface (newspaper or a large soft cloth or towel will do). Squeeze a few drops of the Snowbee Fly Line slick, lubricant onto a soft cloth, pinch this over the fly line, then slowly and gently pull the line through with the other hand. Having done so you can repeat if required but afterwards always run back through a clean part of the cloth to remove any excess. It is essential then that the line is allowed to dry before use, so either hang it in deep loops from a thick peg or hook, or leave it loosely coiled on the sheet of newspaper/large towel/soft cloth and allow to dry fully before re-spooling onto the reel.
With use, the surface of fly lines can gradually pick up small particles of grime, plankton and grit. Not only can this damage the surface of the line and the rod guides, but it will also reduce the performance of your line, as friction increases. We recommend therefore that the line is regularly cleaned. This does not mean frequently necessarily, but as it begins to look grubby or after use in dirty or salty water. Slightly warm water can be used with just a few drops of washing up liquid or soap applied (Do not use hot water and avoid using detergents or other harmful synthetic chemicals too). Pull the line through a well soaked rag several times, rinse in clean water and dry again by pulling through a dry cloth or towel. Treating the line this way will help it perform better and last longer. If the line is not going to be used for some time, clean it as described above and store it in a cool, dark place, coiled in large loops.
NB when leaving a reel for any length of time and before storing in a clean dry environment, it is also beneficial to gently clean in fresh water, release the drag pressure to minimum and apply a few drops of light oil to the main working parts.
