Are your rod sections fitting together too tightly? Normal crud buildup in the female and male ferrules will cause the ferrule fit to be tight and lead to stuck ferrules. It is time to clean the ferrules. Ferrules need to be cleaned periodically to keep them tight and smooth. The best way to clean ferrules is with alcohol and a Q tip. It is best to start with the female ferrule. To clean the female ferrule, hold the section with the ferrule opening pointed down. Take a Q tip dipped in alcohol and insert the Q tip into the female twirling the Q tip round to clean out the dirt and grime buildup. Next with an alcohol soak cloth, wipe the male ferrule slide of grime. Check the fit of the male to female connection. The male ferrule should insert into the female leaving an ~1/8 gap. This will get you ready for the next season and forego and ferrule fit issues.
Category: Maintenance
Maintaining your fly fishing gear
Bamboo rod repair
Bamboo rods are very resilient instruments, capable of withstanding years of use and even some abuse. After all rods are being fished today that were made 100 years ago.
At some time in their service, it is a good chance that a fly rod will need repair. It may be minor such as a loose guide or more substantial such a broken tip. The good news is that bamboo rods can almost always be repaired or refurbished for a relatively small amount of money. There are three basic approaches to servicing a fly rod.
Bamboo rod care
A fine bamboo fly rod should last for generations, as is evidenced by those we have inherited from our grandparents. Use care and common sense and this rod will last a lifetime. Finally, use this rod. It's not a toy, and not a museum piece, but a fishing rod. Catch lots of fish, and let most of them go. Here are some suggestions to help care for your rod to provide you a lifetime companion for the years to come.