How do you thread a open face fishing rod?

There is a groove on one end of the bale (sp?), the wire-guard looking thing that flips up. That's where the line will naturally find itself. That keeps the line from freely coming off.

Thread the new line through the eyes, open the bale, tie the new line on to the spool. When you start to reel in the new line, the bale will close and begin winding the spool with line.

With your index finger, grab the line and hold it next to the pole. Open the bale and cast, letting go of the line. Then simply start reeling in. The bale automatically closes and begins pulling the line back in.