The more time you spend on the water, the more likely it is that you are going to encounter some of the slightly annoying issues that can happen when fly fishing. One of these issues that almost seems like a rite of passage that a fly angler will eventually have to face is when 2 of the ferrules of a multi-piece fly rod get stuck together. We previously discussed this here but have a few additional points we wanted to add onto this list.
First off, what NOT to do. Never try and unstick the rod by gripping the guides/eyes. This is a very quick way to be calling in on the lifetime warranty that came with your expensive new rod. You want to grip the rod itself, one hand on each section that is stuck. If you aren’t able to separate, try using something like a rubber glove to give you a little better grip. Make sure you are pulling straight and not bending, with a good grip you may be able to twist it some to loosen. This is fine, twisting the sections will not hurt the rod as long as you are pulling it straight apart and not gripping a guide when twisting. If this still doesn’t work, you need to call in some reinforcements and recruit a friend.
For this, the two people should face each other and put a single hand on each section that is stuck. That means person A has his left hand on a section, followed by person B’s right hand. On the other section person A should put his right hand followed by person B’s left hand. This alternating pattern will help you both apply enough force to pull it apart without the risk of bending the rod in a way that could break it.
If the sections are still stuck (I have never personally had the above method not work) but have heard people find success in rubbing the male section of the ferrule with an ice cube or soaking it in ice water. If there was any expansion of the male ferrule causing it to get stuck, the cold can help reduce it and ideally cause it it dislodge.
More Timeless Tips:
If you have a big enough chest freezer that also works well after a few minutes
I always have six or so 6″ X 6″ Non-Slip pads with me so that I can get a good grip on the rod. It’s amasing how many of them I have given away to blokes I have helped with stuck ferrules.
Ditto Bruce, has never yet failed and have also given many away, 6”x3” seems to work just as well!
40 years ago I was taught to give the male ferrule of fibreglass rods an occasional stroke with candle wax, still a habit with carbon and think it also helps prevent sticking