When I'm right, I'm right; and when I'm wrong, I'm
wrong. This time I was both, right and wrong. For a
few years, a long time ago, I would rub the ferrule
of the cheap cane fly rod I had on the side of my nose.
Supposed to put a film of wax, or oil or something on
it. That was to make it go together better and come
apart only when I wanted it to. Found out that puts
some salt on them and causes corrosion. Bad idea.
When the new graphite sticks arrived, I, like most,
simply stuck them together. Wrong again. They can
slide apart when casting and can become stuck tight
under some conditions. Another bad idea.
I found that a major rod company was using paraffin
on their rod joints. A slight twist on assembly and
they not only stayed together, but would come apart
when desired. Neat, I finally had found the right
answer. You guessed it, wrong again. Well, wrong to
some degree anyhow. It does what I said. Keeps them
from coming apart and does make it easier to take
down at the end of the day.
Now this is the critical section. If you are already
using paraffin and are happy doing so, STOP NOW.
READ NO FURTHER.
For once information is entered into your noggin, it
can not be removed. Fair warning, here goes. Do not
use it any more. After reading this you likely will
never dare using it again.
During a chance phone call with Ralph O'Quinn at
Trondak on another subject the ferrule topic
came up. So, now I am the owner of U-40 Ferrule Lube.
This is stuff (liquid) you put on the male and into
the female sections of your fly rods. I have started
using it. I say, 'started' because I have many rods yet
to clean the paraffin from and replace with this product.
It works. It works better than anything I have used.
Here is one startling result that happened to me. Before
I applied it I needed to clean off the paraffin. Usually
I simply add a swipe or two to the ferrules a couple
times a year. This time I cleaned it with heptane right
down to the bare finish. There was a scratch over a
quarter of an inch long on the male end of the butt
section. The paraffin had concealed it. Paraffin can
hold tiny grains and can actually cause scratches. This
is my pet nine foot, six weight fly rod. Now, everytime
I cast it I will know it has a potential flaw. Scratching
graphite is like scratching glass. It makes it break.
That alone is enough reason for me to never again use
paraffin. Also, it enlarges the diameter which is not
good either. That can make a rod break from stress.
Needless to say, I applied the U-40 Ferrule Lube to
the rod. I found it easy to apply, took little time,
did not increase the diameter, had a solid feel when
assembled and came apart when it was supposed to. They
recommend dressing about twice a year. I will do that
at least. It's $9.95 for a one-ounce a bottle (includes shipping)
- which will last many years. My opinion of it? I like it. A lot. I will
continue to use it. JC
Trondak, Inc.
17631 147th St. SE., #7
Monroe, WA 98272
Ph. (360) 794-8250
Fax: (360) 794-9857
P.S. Now I have the pleasure of re-doing
all my fly rods, very enjoyable pastime. By the way,
Trondak makes and sells other great products too, like
Aqua-Seal, Dura-Gloss, etc. ~ James Castwell
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