Assembling Your Fly Fishing Gear
You have some gear, so now what?
Now that you got your basic fly fishing gear it is time to assemble it. Ready? Let's get started.
Attaching the Reel to the Rod 
First decide which hand you are going to reel with. Believe me, this might seem trivial, but I have put on the reel backwards, set everything up only to discover I had it on backwards and had to start all over again. So...decide right now what hand you are going to reel with. Hint: If you cast with your right hand you'll probably reel with your left so you don't have to switch hands after a cast and visa versa if you cast with your left.
OK now you know what hand you are going to reel with, attach the reel to the bottom section of the rod by inserting the reel foot into the rod's reel seat with the reel handle facing the proper direction. If you are reeling with the right the handle should be on the right side, if reeling with the left the handle should be on the left side. Next tighten up the rod's reel seat, only tighten until snug and don't use any tools or pliers to tighten.
Put the Backing Onto The Reel
First you'll have to attach the backing to the reel's arbor using an Arbor Knot . If you don't know how to tie this knot click on the preceding link and the instructions are right there. Don't worry this is a really easy knot to tie.
So after you have tied the backing to the reel you will have to wind the backing onto the reel. To do this wind the reel in a counter clockwise. Make sure you try and put on the backing as evenly as possible. You can guide the line with a finger of the opposite hand. It is also easier if you have some one hold the backing reel with a pencil through it that way they can put a little tension on the line keeping it straight which makes it easier to put it on the reel evenly. Put on enough backing according to the instructions that came with the reel.
Attach the Fly Line
Next its time to attach the fly line to the backing using the Nail Knot . Now this knot is pretty tricky so take your time here and do it right. Wind on enough fly line to fill the reel to about 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch from full.
Attaching the Leader to the Fly Line
Attach your leader to the fly line using another Nail Knot . Your leader is usually about 8-10 feet in length.
Attaching the Tippet to the Leader
Tippets are used to preserve your leader. Since you will be tying and removing many flies only your tippet will decrease in length over time leaving your leader in tact. Once the tippet is all used up just tie another on the the leader using either a Blood Knot or Surgeons Knot . Your tippet should be about 2 feet in length. There is a formula out the to calculate tippet length. Your tippet should be about 20% of the leaders length so if your leader is 10 feet, your tippet will be 2 feet.
Assembling the Rest of Your Rod
Now it is time to assemble the rest of your fly fishing rod. To do this just attach the ferrules together. Now if your rod is more than 2 piece you will know it is set up correctly because it will be tapered down to the rod tip and it is almost impossible to attach incorrectly matched ferrules together. Next pull the line through the rod guides until you have 5 or 6 feet out the end and attach your fly.
Attaching the Fly
To attach a fly to your line or more specifically tippet use a Clinch or Improved Clinch Knot.
Wow your all done assembling your fly fishing gear and now you are ready for some fly fishing! Just Remember to practice those knots listed above.