Fly Fishing Tube
Your Fly Rod – Protect Your Investment by Ian Hugh Scott
You probably spent a good amount of money on your fly rod, and it might be one of the most expensive pieces of gear you own. Here’s some ways you can protect your fly rod – and the money you’ve spent.
Rod Tube or Case
If your fly rod did not come with one, but a tube or case for it. A rod tube will protect your rod when it’s not in use, and especially when traveling with it on your Fly Fishing outings. It is amazing the number of fly rods that get accidentally broken because the tip or other part was crushed while closing a door.
It’s easy to not take the time to put your rod into its case when you are traveling from spot to spot, but the extra few minutes you take doing so could be the difference between a great day out or a very disappointing one with a broken favorite rod.
Clean And Inspect The Guides
The majority of fly rods have two different types of guides attached to them. Guides are the common North American name for what the line runs through. Most fly rods have at least one, sometimes two and on longer rods, sometimes three “Stripper Guides.” These are the guides closest to the reel seat, and usually have two feet attached to the rod blank with thread and then covered with an epoxy finish.
The guides above this are usually snake guides but single foot ring guides made of a ceramic material are becoming more common.
Some rod builders believe that the single foot ring guides provide better casting efficiency by keeping the fly line away from the rod blank, thereby preventing “line slap” against the rod when casting. However, traditionalists still prefer snake guides.
In either case, you should inspect the guides for wear. As the fly line travels through the guides, over time ridges and damage caused by wear and tear can occur. If you see any wear and tear on a guide, you should have the guide replaced.
Ceramic guides can be brittle and can crack. If any cracks are noticed in the ceramic rings of these types of guides, you should have that guide replaced immediately before you do any more fishing with the rod.
A regular cleaning of the guides with a cotton swab is recommended. Guides can accumulate dirt which is then transferred to your line. A dirty line will have a decreased life span and won’t cast as well as a clean line.
Inspect/Repair Guide Finish
The guides are attached to the fly rod with thread that is wrapped around the foot and the rod blank. The thread is then finished with an epoxy finish. Many fly rod builders use a thick epoxy over these thread wraps. The thicker the finish, often the more of a tendency it will have to develop cracks. When cracks develop, moisture can enter and start to degrade the thread and even the guide foot.
If you notice degradation of the finish, you may want to consider having the thread wraps redone and refinished.
Clean The Cork Handle
Over time, the cork handle will also accumulate dirt. You can safely and easily clean a cork handle using water and a soap scrub pad. If you have used your rod a lot and never cleaned the handle, you might be amazed at how good the cork will look after you’ve cleaned it.
Rinse The Rod With Water
Make it a practice to regularly rinse your fly rod with water and wipe it down with a cloth. Dirt, grease and grime can, over time, degrade it.
Lubricate the Ferrule
… but not with wax! Many people still use a wax or rub the ferrule joint against their nose in order to transfer some oils to the ferrule. You should never do this with a modern graphite ferrule. Wax and the like will attract dirt, and could actually cause damage to your ferrule when you join and un-join the sections of your fly rod. Instead, use a commercial product like “Ferrule Lube” to help protect and lubricate your fly rod’s ferrules.
If you maintain and clean your fly rod regularly and replace guides and finishes as required, your rod will give you many years of pleasure! Be sure to follow the tips above, and especially the advice about using a rod case. If you’re just learning about this sport, why not find out more about various Fly Fishing techniques? You may also discover a passion for fly tying too!
About the Author
Ian has been enjoying Fly Fishing for almost 30 years and loves to write about the subject along with this adventures with his sons.
|
Survival Fishing Kit – Standard Version
$22.95
The Standard Emergency Survival Fishing Kit is an exceptionally well stocked, durable, quality and inexpensive survival fishing kit. Like our Basic Emergency Fishing Kit, it was designed as a collaborative effort between survivalists and avid fisherman. Therefore, it goes without saying that this survival fishing kit is a quality item.
The Best Glide Survival Fishing Kit comes in a durable tin co…
|
|
Pocket Size Fishing Survival Kit
$6.99
Kit Contents
(1) This Manual of Basic Fishing Instructions
(4) Plastic Baits
(1) Lead Jig Heads
(6) Hooks
(4) Split Shot
(1) Bobber
(50 Ft) Line
This kit is not meant to be a complete survival kit, but rather an important addition to a survival kit. It provides a method of obtaining food in a survival situation. Recommended is a full survival kit, backed with a good survival manual and knowledge o…
|
|
Hooked on Fly Tying – Introduction to Tube Flies
$22.49
Columnist, author, photographer, guide and recognized fly tying authority, Dick Talleur, is your guide through learning the intricate and delicate techniques of tying a variety of very effective flies. Not only do you learn to tie the specific patterns in these tapes, but the techniques, style and tricks that you encounter with these flies can be applied to many other patterns. Learn to tie: Micky…
|
|
Tube Flies for Steelhead
$21.95
The concept of flies tied on tubes is rapidly gaining in popularity. There are many tactical advantages to utilizing this style of fly for steelhead. In Tube Flies for Steelhead, veteran steelhead angler Rick Kustich uses an easy to understand style to explain the benefits of tube flies and to demonstrate step-by-step tying instruction for patterns that have proven effective on both Pacific Coast …
|
