Caring For Your Rod
Your graphite rod may last a long time and my outlive you. If it does not get shut in your car door or trunk. This blog goes over how to care for you rod to keep it always ready for the next big trout or salmon.
Your ferrules which is where the rods come together needs to be kept clean and if they are starting to loosen then some candle wax can be applied to tight the fit.
I am a big fan of a two piece rod for quick tare down to stop and tare up to fish without all the pieces. Some tight spots in small brooks I break my rod down in half. It is a nine foot #8 weight so each section is around four and one half feet. So ideal for tight spots.
Many times to I am breaking down the rod for the thick trails leading down to the river. You can easily stumble and drive your rod tip into a tree or ground and snap. I know I have done it.
Rod Case
A rod case is a must have. I have two, actually I have one that holds two rods. One rod for streamers line that sinks and the other rod for dry flies. Rods can easily be broken when stowed in your car without a case. I know I have done it a few times. Stowing the rod in the case and zipping the case secure makes a big difference on the longevity of your rod….
You would never get any fishing done if you had to strip your rod down every time pulling your real on or off. Taking out the string. Someone came up with the idea of the Breakdown Case. Which allows you to leave most of the rod assembled while have the most protection so when you do get fishing just pull out the rod and just add water…
I use a double case one to hold my streamer rod and the other my dry fly fishing rod. Something I picked up online and I love it. Before I would throw in my case and head down the road only to get to my destination and when I wanted to fish dry’s I left my dry rig at home. You can always carry two reels instead and swap out the lines that way both work well.
If rods will not break down come apart at the ferrules or ferrules will not seat together you may be out on you favor trout stream and trout are rising everywhere. You can lubricate with the oil on the side of you nose. Run your fingers and hit the male end and they will seat. When your home clean the ferrules thoroughly to remove that oil and any other debris in the ferrules.
Some point in your fishing life your rods will not come apart (breakdown). The ferrules will be lock together so tight that will not even spin to loosen them. There are some do’s and don’t to practice, so you don’t break anything:
- No pliers the rods are hollow so you can crush it easily with a pair.
- Don’t twist the rod using the eyelets as levers which could snap them off.
- Do use a gentle twist to get them to start to move apart.
When all else fails you can use the squat bend and push technique, by sitting down on a log or rock, then with the rod under both thighs. Grab opposite end of the rod just outside of your knees. Then open you legs pushing against your forearms to loosen the rods…
Another trick with ice works to get those stubborn ferrules moving again. Put some ice in a plastic bag and wrap around the ferrule. Hold for a few minutes, remove the ice. Now let your hand warm the ferrule for a quick second. The outer ferrule should expand while the inner is still cold. The temperature difference between the female and male ferrule should cause that to release.
One last thing, two bits of care and maintenance you should do to make sure your rod and reel is always ready and willing to catch fish when you pull it out of the case. If you are fishing in saltwater or even brackish water always rinse your rod and reel. Reels can corrode and reel seat and guide can get pitted. Be careful not to get the grip dirty, that cork can gunk up. With suntan lotion, fly grease, pizza oil. This will make the handle slimy. You should get into the habit of cleaning the handle after every use.
Rod care becomes second nature after a few trips and that will help your rod and reel to last a lifetime of catch fish.
Tight Lines…