Greasin' the Rod

[BiggerThomas]

[BiggerThomas]

No, now seriously...

Do you guys/gals (Jess and Goose Lady) use any kind of grease or wax for assembling fly rods tips? I know there are a bunch of products out there (one guy even suggested candle wax) but one old timer told me he likes to run his fingers down the sides of his nose and use the natural oil on the rod tips...

[MR.MCR]

Ive seen one old timer rub the rod on the side of his nose.........

[Pete]

Most important thing is to keep the ferules clean. Oil or grease is a bad idea because dust/dirt stick to it.
Ordinary paraffin is a better idea, but some ferrules are too tight for anything.

The "nose grease" is an old trick. It was even published as a "tip" in outdoor magazines during the 1950s. It's since been discredited, because it often already had the "dirt" built in.

Best bet is to ask the rod manufacturer for a recommendation.

[Fly Rod]

I don't know if they do this anymore, but St. Croix used to include a little cylinder of paraffin with every rod. It appears to be the same type of wax as a tea candle. I've found that regular application helps prevent the ferrules from sticking together.

- Fly Rod

[Matt Grobert]

Joe,

You always have to get personal........

I first wipe off the ferrule and then roll it on the side of my nose before joining the sections. (I'm not an old timer, but Mr. MCR is!) The oil on your face is very pure and won't attract dust or sand particles that may wear the ferrule over time, as wax may do. Ted Simroe, one of the finest graphite rod makers of his day, showed me this when I was a wee lad. He was one of the first to use boron in his rods to add power.

Matt ><)))))">

[Gman]

I don't know if they do this anymore, but St. Croix used to include a little cylinder of paraffin with every rod. It appears to be the same type of wax as a tea candle. I've found that regular application helps prevent the ferrules from sticking together.

- Fly Rod

Orvis does the same, I had a rod repaired a few months back, they returned it with two containers of wax. They are still sitting on my desk

[Twism86]

I use the nose thing and when the day is done i wipe everything clean with a papertowel or tissue.

[specialk]

Ear wax -

[Twism86]

Ear wax -

too sticky

[Jassid]

A "very light" coating of candle wax has worked for me with graphite and fiberglass as has the nose technique. I think the "nose job" applies more to the tight ferrules on Bamboo rods. I do not think that candle wax would work well with that type of ferrule at all. Just my 02.

[billh]

I break my primary #5 wt rod down maybe twice a year... tops!



Billh

[440CUDA]

a good rod shouldnt need it ....keep it clean ...

I do use Armor all on my line though

[klg neighbor]

I haven't used or needed any "Rod Grease" in over 15 years.

As with many things in life, "always treat your rod with respect". Don't put it where it doesn't belong and you won't pick up anything that will cause you trouble later in life.

Read it, learn it & live it.

[Rusty Spinner]

38 years FFing and I have never used anything.

[onemorecast]

I use Loon ferrule wax on loose fitting joints on one specific rod. Other than that, never have a need for it.

[vance]

I have been fly fishing for over 50 years and I have always wiped the rod tip on the side of my nose and at the end of the day wipe the rod down with a clean dry cloth. My orvis madison is like new and it is43 years old So the nose trick has always worked for me.....Vance

[Denlon]

38 years FFing and I have never used anything.

I'm like Rusty Spinner, I have never had to use anything.
However, my Dad had a high-quality Granger bamboo rod with tight ferrules, and he always ran them through his hair before putting it together. It seemed to help a lot.
Denny

[klg neighbor]

38 years FFing and I have never used anything.

I'm like Rusty Spinner, I have never had to use anything.
However, my Dad had a high-quality Granger bamboo rod with tight ferrules, and he always ran them through his hair before putting it together. It seemed to help a lot.
Denny

Hmmm, something to try....

[Rusty Spinner]

What Denny meant for the follicly challenged is to rub the rod on your fishing partner's head or just rub some oil from the salmon egg bottle you keep stashed in your vest.