Rinsing and Flushing your Fly Reel

Saltwater is highly corrosive and damage to your reel will likely result if precautions are not taken to remove salt residue at the end of each day. Elkhorn can not overemphasize the importance of daily rinsing and flushing when our reels are used on saltwater!

The entire reel should be submersed in warm fresh water and agitated to remove loose sand and debris. Warm water helps dissolve the salt. While holding the reel under water, strip approximately 30 feet of line from the reel. After winding the line back on the reel, remove the spool by loosening the knurled cap located on the handle side of the reel. Separate the spool from the frame by pulling apart. Thoroughly flush the exposed surfaces of the reel including the spool bearings. Avoid using high pressure spray, because this could force debris into unwanted areas, especially in the reverse clutch mechanism. Shake off excess water and let dry before reassembling.

Reels should not be soaked in water for long periods of time. Salt residue will not dissolve from tightly wound backing. At the end of a trip, line and backing should be completely stripped from the reel and soaked and cleaned separately. Also, prolonged soaking can distort the cork material and result in an uneven drag.

Cleaning and Lubricating your Fly Reel

In addition to routine flushing, your reel will benefit from a thorough cleaning and lubrication. This should be performed after every saltwater trip and also periodically, depending on use. It is also a good idea to clean and lubricate prior to long-term storage of the reel.

T-Series Fly Reel

Remove the silver knurled knob (handle side of the reel) and separate the spool from the frame by pulling apart. Remove the C-clip by applying equal pressure to both ends of the clip and pushing away from the spindle. Remove the cork disk assembly from the spindle. Note the orientation of the exposed needle bearing. (Flipping the needle bearing will reverse the direction of the wind.) Remove the needle bearing from the spindle and wipe any dirt or grease from the spindle and exposed surfaces using a clean cloth. A small brush and mild solvent may be used to remove old grease. However, do not allow petroleum-based products to contact the cork disk material or fly line.

The sealed bearings within the spool are pressed in place and should not be removed. Normally, flushing with warm water is all that is necessary. High pressure spray should be avoided to ensure debris is not forced into the bearings.

Elkhorn recommends the use of a non-petroleum based lubricant such as lanolin or paraffin based gels to treat the cork half of the drag. Lanolin based skin lubes are available in stores such as Walgreens and we've found 100% lanolin works best. Also Chapstick or a similar lip treatment works well in a pinch. If the reel starts to "chatter" when the drag is engaged, this is a sign the cork is drying out and needs a small amount of lube applied directly to the cork. Avoid the use of oils or any type of grease. Non-petroleum based aerosol lubricants such as a silicon or Teflon based spray to coat the precision ball bearings (three total) in the reel is recommend periodically to prevent corrosion. Never put the reel in the neoprene pouch for storage when wet. Let the reel completely dry prior to long term storage. Always completely disengage the drag mechanism prior to long term storage to prevent the cork drag from becoming permanently compressed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The reverse-clutch mechanism located within the reel frame incorporates a low-maintenance design, so routine maintenance is not normally necessary. Should service be required, please return to Elkhorn for a free tune-up by a qualified Elkhorn technician. Return postage will be paid by Elkhorn. Elkhorn will not claim responsibility for damage caused by attempts to disassemble this mechanism.

MA-Series Fly Reel

Loosen the knurled knob (handle side of the reel) until the spool can be pulled free from the frame. Remove the knurled knob from the spool by gently pulling with a twisting motion. (The knurled knob is held in place to the spool with a small O-ring.) Remove the bearing cover from the other side of the spool (not reel frame) by turning counter-clockwise. Note the orientation of the exposed needle bearing. (Flipping the needle bearing will reverse the direction of the wind.) Remove the needle bearing and wipe any dirt or grease from exposed surfaces using a clean cloth. A small brush and mild solvent may be used to remove old grease. However, do not allow petroleum-based products to contact the cork disk material or fly line.

The sealed bearings within the spool are pressed in place and should not be removed. Normally, flushing with warm water is all that is necessary. High pressure spray should be avoided to ensure debris is not forced into the bearings.

Elkhorn recommends the use of Non-petroleum based aerosol lubricants such as a silicon or Teflon based spray to coat the precision ball bearings (two total) in the spool is recommend periodically to prevent corrosion. Never put the reel in the neoprene pouch for storage when wet. Let the reel completely dry prior to long term storage. Always completely disengage the drag mechanism prior to long term storage to prevent the cork drag and O-ring from becoming permanently compressed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The reverse-clutch mechanism located within the reel frame incorporates a low-maintenance design, so routine maintenance is not normally necessary. Should service be required, please return to Elkhorn for a free tune-up by a qualified Elkhorn technician. Return postage will be paid by Elkhorn. Elkhorn will not claim responsibility for damage caused by attempts to disassemble this mechanism.

General Tips for your Fly Reel

Try to avoid submersing your reel in saltwater or muddy water.

Take precautions to never drop or set your reel in sand. Sand grains can damage drag mechanisms and small precision bearings.

Reels should not be soaked in water for long periods of time. Fresh water will not dissolve salt from tightly wound backing. Line and backing should be completely stripped from the reel and soaked and cleaned separately. Also, prolonged soaking can distort the cork material and result in an uneven drag.

Be sure to loosen the drag completely when the reel is not in use and especially before long-term storage. If the drag is left tight, the cork may loose its compressibility and become hardened.

Make absolutely sure your reel is dry before storing. Do not seal it in a plastic bag or other watertight container because leftover moisture or condensation can lead to corrosion. This is especially true if residual salt is present.

Proper care after each trip will only take a few minutes and ensure reliable performance of your Elkhorn reel for many seasons to come.