Manhandling it like a machete, he shouldn't be surprised. As a matter of fact he isn't.

"Other hand on the bottom. There you go. Just like that." One finger tugs down on the reel till it's angled forward, and he eases back to grab hold of the other rod, pulling it up into his own lap and checking the line. "Now, swing it back over your shoulder and toss it out lightly. Same way you handle that knife of yours."

He'd guide her arc, but he trusts her. That and if he's too close he knows he risks a hook to the eye.

All right, he mostly trusts her.