If you’ve been fishing for any amount of time, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered fly rod ferrules that refuse to come apart. If you need to break your rod down to travel or for storage purposes but just can’t get it apart, the following 4 methods may do the trick. Other times, your situation might be as bad as the folks from Fly Fishing Nation and Alphonse Fishing Company and there’s not a whole lot you can do about it. Best of luck!
1. Behind The Knees
The first and easiest method to try is the “Behind the Knees” method. This method can be performed by one person in the field without any additional supplies. Start by placing the fly rod behind your knees with one hand on either side of the stuck fly rod sections. It’s important to have your hands on the outside of your knees. Lastly, grip the rod sections tight and move your knees in an outward motion. This should provide the extra force needed to separate the stuck sections. The video above from Rio Products demonstrates this method well at the 00:36 point the film.Â
2. Double Faced TapeÂ
If you’ve tried the behind the knees method described above but still cant separate your stuck fly rod ferrules, try applying double faced tape to both sections for additional grip. The double-faced tape allows you to twist and turn the sections and can also be used in conjunction with the “behind the knee” method for added efficacy. Be sure to check out the video above from Kelly Galloup and The Slide Inn.
3. Ice/Cold
The last method to try by yourself is to get your fly rod ferrules cold, ice cold. This can be accomplished by leaving your rod outside overnight in the winter, storing it in a deep freezer for several hours, or by applying icepacks to the stuck ferrule(s). Holding an icepack or Ziplock bag full of ice cubes on the ferrules for 5-10min usually does the trick for me. This method causes the male ferrule to contract allowing you to separate the stuck sections.
4. Four-Hand Crossover Technique
If you’ve exhausted the three options above and still have stuck ferrules, consider asking a friend to help you with the “Four-Handed Crossover Techniqueâ€. Individuals should place one hand on each side of the stuck ferrule. Next, each person should pull their hands apart at the same time. Adding double-faced tape to the stuck sections as recommended by Kelly Galloup will provide additional grip while performing the Four-Handed Crossover method of separating stuck fly rode ferrules. Be sure to check out the video above from Pacific Fly Fishers for a detailed explanation.
Preventing Stuck Ferrules
Once you’ve successfully separated your fly rod, considering applying ferrule wax to the male end of the ferrules before reassembling it. Not only will ferrule wax help lubricate your rod for easier disassembly, ferrule wax like Loon Gaffitolin Ferrule Wax, will also prevent your rod from separating on its own which could lead to cracked ferrules.
Hopefully one of the methods above or even a combination of a few techniques will help you separate stuck fly rod ferrules the next time you have the unfortunate happening.Â
Article by Evan Garda, he is on the Content Team here at Fly Lords. He can be found chasing trout throughout the west with his trusty fly rods. Check out his adventures at @evangarda.
No no no no no. The best technique, foolproof, is the butt-to-butt. Two people bend over butt to butt, with the rod sections between the knees of both, two hands grabbing their respective section. The sections always pull apart!