Author Topic: Taping your fly rod joints (Read 845 times)

Todd Oishi · « **on:** February 18, 2010, 03:41:16 PM »

Over the years, I've found that my fly rod joints ocassionally come loose while Euro Nymphing with heavily-weighted nymphs. I found the easiest remedy was to tape my joints before I hit the water, which keeps them firmly in place and reduces time that could potentially be wasted readjusting - or resulting in damaging joints.

Are the rest of you doing something similar?

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:02:02 PM »

Depends on the rod I'm using for my Euro nymphing. On my Loon I tape the joints since I've had the rod fly apart. On my Hardy I don't since if anything I have the opposite problem at the end of the day. But yes it works well if you have a problem with the rod coming apart.

I use black electrical tape and if you get a little residue on the rod from the tape a little baby oil will take it off.

Reminder for everyone: USE WAX ON THE JOINTS ON EVERY ROD!

Don Strandberg · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2010, 05:18:54 PM »

Nick.. I am allways afraid of the wax building up over time. Could this happen?

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2010, 06:05:35 PM »

I would guess no. Reason being that after a few months time (using the same rod most every weekend) I always need to reapply the wax. I put just a small amount on the male end and when you slide the two together it always shaves some of the wax off. Also most rods come with a bit of wax on the joints when new.

Torrey Collins · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2010, 09:16:20 PM »

Don, Nick is correct, wax build-up isn't a problem. Try to use relatively pure parafin- I usually just rub the male ferrule against a small birthday cake candle or a regular candle (Lefty Kreh tip- keep one in your vest pocket). Don't use lip balm such as Chapstik or others, a friend did this years ago & he couldn't get his rod apart for months, it seemed to almost glue the sections together. We finally iced the ferrule to hard up the Chapstik and had 4 people pulling on the rod at once. Funny.

Loren Williams · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2010, 06:25:56 AM »

Hmmm Todd, I can honestly say that is not a problem I have ever encountered and I should write a book on encountering problems.

I do tape my two-handed rod joint.

Quote from: Todd Oishi on February 18, 2010, 03:41:16 PM

Over the years, I've found that my fly rod joints ocassionally come loose while Euro Nymphing with heavily-weighted nymphs. I found the easiest remedy was to tape my joints before I hit the water, which keeps them firmly in place and reduces time that could potentially be wasted readjusting - or resulting in damaging joints.

Are the rest of you doing something similar?

Todd Oishi · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2010, 01:15:37 PM »

Trust me... I'd be the first in line to purchase that book once you publish it Loren!

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2010, 11:14:13 PM »

This is an older thread, but I just happened to notice recently.

I've had similar problems depending on the rod I am using - somtimes nymphing, sometimes casting bigger salmon flies. For me I've always had the issue of sections rotating in the rod bringing it out of alignment (again, it only happens in certain rods of mine - perhaps those slightly older or with "looser" specs). I've always just continually adjusted the rod whenever it occured (slightly frustrated), and kept fishing... Never even thought about taping the joints. Now though, I am going to consider this on a regular basis. It'll take one little inconvenience out of my day of fishing.

Thanks for the suggestion.