How To: Fly Rod Care
Your rods need care, cleaning, and maintenance just like all of your other fishing tools. You took the time and consideration to pick out the fly rod that suits your needs, so make sure it lasts! Like other types of fishing gear maintenance, taking care of your fly rods can be tedious at times, but it can lengthen the life of your rod and save you money in the long run. Keep reading for steps to clean your fly rod as well as tips to prevent damage.
Four Steps to Clean Your Fly Rod
- Rinse. Even if you don’t have time for the rest of these tips, you should rinse your rod off with a hose or in the shower. This is especially true if you’ve been saltwater fishing! Use warm freshwater and a mild washing liquid if you have it.
- Clean the guides. Over time, salt, dirt, vegetation, and other debris can build up on your guides and damage your lines. A Q-tip or a small soft brush are both perfect for getting all around a guide. Use warm water and your favorite cleaner!
- Clean the handle. The best way to approach this step in taking care of your fly rods is with a cloth and some rubbing alcohol. This will make your rod look good as new and feel easier to handle when encountering a big or challenging catch. You can also use rubbing alcohol and a small brush to clean your reel mounting hardware during this step!
- Store your fly rods properly. After you’ve made sure your rods have completely dried, store them in their socks or tubes. If you’re going to store your fly rods for a while, you can leave the caps off so they can ‘breathe.’ Whether you store your rods vertically or horizontally, make sure they are kept away from heat and they aren’t bent in any way as this can permanently change the shape of your rod.
Avoiding Rod Breakage
When it comes to rods, one major part of fishing gear maintenance is preventing damage. Here are some of the common reasons rods break and how to make sure you’re taking care of your fishing rod.
- Getting snagged on a tree or rock. When this happens, the instinct for many is to pull on the rod until the fly comes loose from whatever it’s caught on. This can snap the tippit or break the rod from stress overload. Instead, lay your rod down where no one will step on it and pull on the line until the snag is removed!
- Trying a crane lift. If you’re hooking a fish that isn’t too big, you can be tempted to lift out and straight into your hand. If the fish starts jumping though, the rod tip bouncing up and down can lead to breakage that is avoidable if you use a net.
- Your hands are in the wrong place. Even if you’re wrangling in a big fish, don’t be tempted to move your hand anywhere but the handle! The handle evenly distributes the stress of a bent rod, and placing your hands somewhere else can cause the rod to snap where your hands are.
Hopefully these tips help you keep your fly rod in great shape for many fishing trips to come!
Tight lines!