I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this problem or knows of a cure for it. I have found that many three piece fly rods have a tendancy for the tip to separate more frequently while fishing than that of a 2 pc rod. Wether it be a factory finished quality rod like Winston to blanks such as Sage.
It's quite the experience to be fishing a fast moving, deep river and to see the tip go flying off at the end of a cast. Last year to save a trip, I even resorted to super glue on a sage 9'. I've built and bought many rods and the 3 pc ones seem to have this problem. My fishing buddies and I no longer even consider buying 3 piece rods and many good actions/lengths are no longer made in 2 pc.
...and no, I'm not a newbe. I've been fly fishing/fly tying and building rods for over 35 years. Lol
Any help or comments? Thanks.

Well, the last ferrule there is going to be in an area of the blank that flexes on nearly every cast so that can help things work loose.

I'm sure you're not a newbie and I can respect the fact that you've been doing this for 35 years, but just in case, how are you assembling the sections? You are using a "bayonet lock," aren't you?

I'm just not having the problem you mention with my own 3 piece rods.

.........

Not a fly fisherman, so just guessing, but along with the additional flexing wouldn't there be a somewhat smaller contact area there than in a ferrule closer to the butt, or do they make that ferrule considerably longer?

John, Glad you posted your problem. I've built multi-piece fly and spinning rods, and I plan to build more. Never considered the possibility of worn ferrules and loosened rod tips.
Royce, All of my multi-piece rods connect just as deeply as a two piece rod. I suppose there may come a day where I would have to consider gluing loose section together in order to continue using it.
If anyone knows how to improve the fit of loose sections, I hope you'll chime in.

Dear friends,

I hope that I will not shock anybody and that no one will think that I am nuts but as far as I am concerned when I am faced with this kind of problem I usually rely on two possibilities:
1- I put some wax or "candle body" on the male piece so as to avoid losing the tip while casting... this has to be done four times a year depending on how often you use the rod

2- I put one or two small drops of glue on the male piece/ferrule and with my finger (you can wear a glove) I apply it all around the piece and let it dry. I then put the two pieces together and se if it fits. If it doesn't fit correctly, I can either add one more drop of glue if two drops were not enough or I can sand the male piece so as to reduce the coat of glue if two drops were too much.

I don't say that this is the best way of doing it, this may also not be the only two solutions, and they both probably have drawbacks and advantages but they are the only solutions I have found to avoid having some "loose" ferrule/piece.

Hope this helps.


Frantz

Try U-40 Ferrule Lube. Don't be fooled by "lube" in the title of the product. It prevents loose connections from separating and keeps tight conections from sticking. I've used it and recommend it. How a substance lubricates and bonds at the same time, I don't know. All I know is that it works. I think you'll find it easier to use than some of the home remedies that I've heard of. Several of our sponsors carry it.

Sam Stoner

Thank you for the replies. I'm sure I'll look in to the U-40. The "bayonet lock" is always a last resort as I believe the twisting action dramatically shortens the life of the ferrule and hasn't seemed to help the problems we've been having. I've never had to use it until building/using the 3 pc rods.
It probably should be noted most of these rods are long slower action rods (8 1/2 - 10 1/2', 3- 5 wt.) which we seem to prefer out our way. I have noticed the major rod manufacturers shifted many of their great 2 pc actions to 3 or more piece rods lately. Moving a ferrule up the rod to a more flexible position, I’m sure aggravates the problem. I've never had the problem until I had to go to 3 pc rods in the slower actions. I'm hoping the market will come full circle again. Lol