Fly Line Cleaning

[Glenn Hawkins]

I am wondering which products and methods you guys are using.

[Rusty]

I use a product called Glide made by Umpqua.

[MikeA]

I use Zipcast when I have it on hand. I'm out of it right now. When I'm out of ZC I use Glide or soap and water.

[dbradyh]

I just clean my lines with a mild dish soap and water bath, dry the line, and then use a rag and Armor-all to coat the line. Works like a charm and does not hurt the line.

[Travis C.]

I use Glide as well.

Has anyone every tried Rain-X?  You see that pop up from time to time but I am afraid to try anything unless it states good for fly lines. What is good for some plastics is not always good for others.

I just clean my lines with a mild dish soap and water bath, dry the line, and then use a rag and Armor-all to coat the line. Works like a charm and does not hurt the line.

Which Armor All do you use? wipe cloths?

[Steve H]

Soap and water to clean. Then Zip Cast to make it slick.

[dbradyh]

I use either the wipes or spray on a clean rag. No problems over the past few years and the lines float well after treatment.

[grumpy]

Whatever lying around the shop I used to have a product from Snobee, it's the slickest stuff i've ever seen, bar none, comes from England.

Grumpy

[thelearner]

How often do y'all clean your line?

[MikeA]

Not very...

[jarrod white]

I fish the pi$$ out of it and then cut it in 8 inch pieces and throw it away  true story !!

[countryflyfisher]

I think it depends on the amount of use and how hard you are on them I usually try to clean mine every 4 th to 5 th fishing trip unless I have been fishing some nasty areas then I do it a little more often. I usually use glide I tried the agent x stuff by rio and it didn t seem as slick as the glide

[jladdsmith]

Look up past years' distance champs and ask them 

[Leo deMonbreun]

I clean mine regularly like Jason and that is pretty much what is recommended by most manufacturers.   Warm soapy water rinsed, then a treatment of Hydrostop.  Yep it takes a little time but it sure does make the line feel, fish, and float better.

I'd say it's a preference.

Here's what Scientific Angler says  about it (not that I use their lines )

You think your floating line isn't floating as well as it used to? The reasons, and the fix are probably pretty simple.

Lines float because they are lighter than water, and because they are hydrophobic, they repel water. For lines to float their best, both of these features need to be working. The density of your line won't change, it won't absorb water and become waterlogged and sink, but if it gets dirty it won't repel the water well and it will float lower in the surface tension and may get pulled under now and then. The key to good flotation is keeping your lines clean so the hydrophobic surface can work.

Cleaning with soap and water on a cloth removes most of the dirt, but our new cleaning pads work even better. Properly cleaned your lines will float better, cast better and last longer, certainly a good trade-off for a couple minutes of line maintenance. Dressing with our new line dressing will further improve flotation, casting and durability also.

Clean and dress your lines every 2-3 outings, or anytime you think dirt is hindering their performance. The cleaning pads are easy to carry in your vest or tackle bag and can be used anytime, wet or dry.

[icthus]

when my line starts sinking, or I am going on a trip, or I am at home watching my daughter and I have nothing to do but clean a fly line