I'm still a novice when it comes to fly fishing. Why is one better than the other. I'm getting ready to build an 8' 3wt and I was thinking about trying downlocking seat on this one. I've seen a few that look aesthetically pleasing to me. Just not sure why one over the other.

It just comes down to personal preference. For me I prefer downlocking because I like cigar and Ritz style grips that won’t work with an uplocking seat, a fly rod with a down locking seat can be balanced with a touch lighter reel, the fly line tends to get wrapped up more on the end of an up locker and I like the looks more of a down locker.

They both work equally well. I do prefer two locking nuts on the seat. Most importantly, look for good seat quality. I have one rod tat has an aluminum fly reel seat (uplocking)with one locking nut, and an aluminum hood. It really needs to be cinched up tightly to hold the reel securely, and is a challenge to remove when it's tome to put the reel and rod away. My other reel seats are pricier, but well made, and hold the reel securely, and are east when I need to remove a reel.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

Uplocking is, I think, more popular today, requires the relief in the cork grip.

Downlocking is often used on glass and bamboo to put the reel farther back, better balancing the heavier blanks of glass and bamboo.

One thing to keep in mind is, with a downlocking seat, if you stand your rod on the ground, such as against a tree or auto, your reel will be on the ground and can pick up dirt or sand.

I am following this topic to also learn because I have only built 1 fly rod (up-locking). For my light spin rods, I have become very fond of down-locking seats, especially with hidden thread “fore-grips”. Other than the “personal preference” replies, Phil brought-up a good point of a down-locking seat positioning the reel where it could pick-up dirt / sand when standed on the butt. Looking for more informative replies.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

You must set your rods differently than I do, unless I have substantial fighting butt installed my reels hit the dirt and under tree debris regardless of the reel seat orientation.

If you build your rod handle with a threaded butt-cap for a removable, screw-in fighting butt you can enjoy the benefits of either configuration.