By John Merwin

Some reader discussion over a bizarre reel-drag test I described in a blog last week titled "That's Such A Drag" reminded me of the following tip on how to test your own reel drags simply and cheaply. No, you don't need to tie your line to the back of a speeding pickup truck. Just do the following in a few minutes at home.

Holding the line from your reel in one hand, allow the reel to hang freely. At a very light drag setting, the reel should descend slowly and evenly to the floor. If the reel won't drop slowly of its own weight against the drag, loosen the drag a little more. The reel's descent should be slow and even without any hesitation or unevenness. If the reel hesitates or descends jerkily, your drag needs work. In that case, you can either ignore the problem (which I confess to doing sometimes) or fix it.

In the event of a jerky drag, the most likely problem is that one or more of the metal washers in the drag stack isn't perfectly flat. Take the drag apart and rub each side of each metal washer on a flat sharpening stone. You should be able to see any high spots almost immediately. Work the washers on the stone until the surface of each cleans up completely. Wipe the washers off with a soft cloth and reassemble the drag, which should now work perfectly.

Comments (6)

from MLH wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Nice tip. But what do I do with sticky cork or graphite drag?

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from johnmerwin wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Cork: wipe clean. Do not use solvent. Re-lube with a small bit of synthetic grease such as Super Lube (Google it).

Graphite: or, more likely synthetic hard composite such as Rulon...wipe clean. Check washer for cracks or other damage, replace as needed. Most of these systems on fly reels are designed to run dry (no lube) but there are exceptions. Check reel manual. If all else fails, I'd try lubing it lightly regardless of any directions to the contrary.

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from buckhunter wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Now that's why I like to read Merwin. I come away a better fisherman.

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from 2Poppa wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Great tip ... two thumbs up!

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from MLH wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Thanks, John.

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from Sportsman Matt wrote 3 years 11 weeks ago

Good advise as long as you have metal washers in the drag. Some of the new reels have magnets and plastic washers, lots of times the manufacturer doesn't remove the plastic flash off the washers or other parts, so sometimes check for those little tabs or plastic flashings, a small pocket knife blade can remove those flashings real quick without damaging the parts.

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from buckhunter wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Now that's why I like to read Merwin. I come away a better fisherman.

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from MLH wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Nice tip. But what do I do with sticky cork or graphite drag?

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from johnmerwin wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Cork: wipe clean. Do not use solvent. Re-lube with a small bit of synthetic grease such as Super Lube (Google it).

Graphite: or, more likely synthetic hard composite such as Rulon...wipe clean. Check washer for cracks or other damage, replace as needed. Most of these systems on fly reels are designed to run dry (no lube) but there are exceptions. Check reel manual. If all else fails, I'd try lubing it lightly regardless of any directions to the contrary.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from 2Poppa wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Great tip ... two thumbs up!

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from MLH wrote 3 years 12 weeks ago

Thanks, John.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sportsman Matt wrote 3 years 11 weeks ago

Good advise as long as you have metal washers in the drag. Some of the new reels have magnets and plastic washers, lots of times the manufacturer doesn't remove the plastic flash off the washers or other parts, so sometimes check for those little tabs or plastic flashings, a small pocket knife blade can remove those flashings real quick without damaging the parts.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.