Fly rod cleaning and care – Part 2

Part 1 of Fly Rod Cleaning and Care gave an overview of cleaning steps that should be undertaken before the season opener. But one cleaning a year is woefully inadequate “total” care for a high quality rod. Be sure to follow these steps to keep your fly rod in top operating condition all season long:

• Keep cleaning. Clean, inspect, and polish your rod on a regular basis. Try to go over it at least once a month, but more frequently if you fish a lot. Remember that harsher environments may require daily cleaning. This is an absolute must for saltwater fly fishing.
• Last out - first in. As a general rule, string up your rod as a last step before hitting the water. The reverse applies when you leave the water: carefully break down your rod and store it before taking off your waders and stowing your other gear. This minimizes the opportunity to damage it when you’re getting the rest of your gear ready or stowed.
• Assemble tip first. Always assemble the rod from the tip down and disassemble from the butt section up. Disassemble the rod by holding the sections close to the ferrule and pulling with a slight twist. Never use the guides for leverage.
• Clean before you stow. Where possible, clean your rod with a soft cloth before stowing it in its tube. Moisture and grime should be removed where possible and if the rod has been exposed to a harsh environment, be sure to clean it when you get home.
• Use your rod tube. Always stow your rod in its tube when travelling and storing at home. Never travel from one spot to another with your rod rigged unless you have suitable rod racks in or on your vehicle.
• Elevate. If you need to put your rod down, always try to elevate it off dirt, sand, and rocks. Many times, bank-side brush or grass will support a rod. Also be sure to place it somewhere noticeable, or place your vest near it so you don’t end up trampling it.
• Lubricate. Clean and lubricate the ferrules on a regular basis. Lightly rub paraffin or candle wax on the male ferrule after cleaning it and the female ferrule. This will make joining and unjoining easier and will prevent ferrule slippage while fishing.
• Avoid hard knocks. Sharp blows to your rod blank can set the rod up for failure. Check your rod regularly for dings in the graphite. Avoid placing your rod anywhere it can fall on or into hard objects.

Stay tuned for more care tips. In Part 3 of this series, more care tips will be shared along with suggestions on how to handle your rod while fishing.