thanks deejay and grumpy for the advice.... i may just take the reel out for sharpening.... or wait another season as it's in pretty good nick....

I have stumbled on another problem.... I have taken (or tried too!) the clutch cone apart.... i can get half of the clutch cover off... but for the life of me i can't get the damned clutch cone off the shaft.... I have undone the nut, that i assume bolts the cone to the shaft... but i can't get the damned bolt out.... i have tapped it with a hammer (and stuffed the thread at the top!), soaked it with WD40... nothin... won't budge.... now i can't get the nut back on as the top of the thread on the bolt is slightly curved over..... aaaaarrrrrrrgggggggh!!!!

any help.... ideas????