Fly Lines Without Spools

[Mike Barrio]

So, we have received a fly line without a packaging spool - What do we do? 

Roll up two fishing magazines, slip the coiled line on and let the magazines unfurl until they grip the line. Now put a broom handle through the middle and suspend this between two chairs, then cut the ties, attach the backing line and reel in. This is surprisingly easy to do and tangle free.

It is best to have the line coming off from below, that way it goes on your reel in the same direction and helps to avoid any line twist. As with a pencil and packaging spool, maintain a little tension on the line with your finger and thumb in front of your fly reel as you reel in.

Any more suggestions? - We could just buy a line winder tool, but I guess most of us already have more than enough gear. 

[Ben O'Neill]

Perfect...! I'm def doing this on the line that arrived today...!

[James Laraway]

No we don't Mike. We try and uncoil it , get into a right fankle and then spend 20 minutes cursing our own stupidity...

[Michael Kearney]

Line winder? https://www.sportfish.co.uk/fly-line-winder.html
I frequently change lines on my reels to suit different waters and conditions, and clean and polish lines I plan to use again. A little maintenance goes a long way.....

[James Laraway]

i bought a Rio 'Cranky' and although its very basic at £9 it does work....

[Duncan McRae]

No we don't Mike. We try and uncoil it , get into a right fankle and then spend 20 minutes cursing our own stupidity...

Sounds very familiar James