Storing your rods

[Mister Bill]

I was wondering how you guys store your rods, as there could be a number of opinions.

In a tube with the cap on?

In a tube with the cap off?

In a breathable wooden case/tube?

Out of the tube in the bag, maybe on a closet hanger?

Displayed openly on a rack?

[DaveNJ]

In the tube, cap off. If I fish I let it dry on its sock for 24 hours. I basically don't use my caps unless I'm traveling or think others will handle them.

[DrLogik]

In the tube, cap on loosely, so not totally air-tight, standing straight up in my closet.

[Hellmtflies]

In the tube, cap off. If I fish I let it dry on its sock for 24 hours. I basically don't use my caps unless I'm traveling or think others will handle them.

Ditto! For me too. Except I just leave the rod out of the tube until the next morning. Then into the tube it goes without the cap. The tubes are kept upright in the rack, caps off to let them breathe.

[Tommasini]

In the tube in vertical position with cap partially threaded. With so many rods, keeping caps in order would be a problem if left off.

[GerardH]

I vacillate on whether to leave the cap on the tube or not...there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus so long as the rod is dry. When I do, it's only threaded a half turn or so. Periodically I'll take the caps off to let them breath...not sure what's the proper protocol on this.

Like others, after a day's fishing, I hang my rod(s) in its bag from a nail or hook for a day or two to dry.

[EastslopesTH]

Out of the tube in the rod sock hanging in a cabinet. I've had to straighten too many rods that have been stored in the tube leaning in a corner.

[BigTJ]

How does a rod take a set in a properly fitted aluminum tube, even if it is leaning in a corner? An aluminum tube cannot deflect under its own weight so is it the sections somehow deflecting under their own eight in the tube? Never heard of that one before but then again I store all my tubes vertically.

My rods are in the tube with the cap on, either in my gun cabinet or in a leather rod case. I have zero moisture issues so don’t need the cap off. Rods dry for 2-3 days before going back in a tube.

John

[Woodlakejag]

Most are out in display racks, the rest are in tubes in a tube rack. Caps are on. I think if the rods are kept in the house (as opposed to garage, attic, basement) they are fine in the tubes with the caps on, but who knows.

[Flyman615]

My bamboo rods are stored vertically in four small, ventilated gun cabinets. In their tubes and bags with caps on. I also have a few on display, vertically and horizontally, but out of their tubes/bags and a few are jointed.

Scott

[GerardH]

How does a rod take a set in a properly fitted aluminum tube, even if it is leaning in a corner? An aluminum tube cannot deflect under its own weight so is it the sections somehow deflecting under their own eight in the tube? Never heard of that one before but then again I store all my tubes vertically.


John

Especially when you consider the rod bag in the tube offers even more support/rigidity to the rod sections, so there's no way they can bend from their own weight.

[EastslopesTH]

How does a rod take a set in a properly fitted aluminum tube, even if it is leaning in a corner?

I think this is part of the issue for some rods, John - the tubes are not necessarily sized right for the number of rod sections. I think one key factor is maintaining proper room temperatures and not letting the rods get too warm. Sort of like fine wine!
Ron

[teter]

In the tube in vertical position with cap partially threaded. With so many rods, keeping caps in order would be a problem if left off.

Same as Marty.

[MaccFly]

Nice thread, I have a pair of 40yr old unfished flyrods in tubes, they are both die straight. I've made rod tubes for one or two of my rods ... it seems I might need to make more :-D

[BigTJ]

How does a rod take a set in a properly fitted aluminum tube, even if it is leaning in a corner?

I think this is part of the issue for some rods, John - the tubes are not necessarily sized right for the number of rod sections. I think one key factor is maintaining proper room temperatures and not letting the rods get too warm. Sort of like fine wine!
Ron

Agree on keeping the rods cool. My basement in Reno is ideal. It would be a great place to keep a mummy! Not a bad place for fly rods either. Much better than upstairs where we get very dry in the winter.

John

[LeeO]

In the tube, cap on. Put away after thorough drying. I am not sure that exposing the rod to the wide humidity shifts we have here is a good idea

[DireWolf53]

I follow the KISS rule...
Vertical, thorough drying and caps on. Never have had an issue in 40 yrs with this protocol.

[Hellmtflies]

In the tube in vertical position with cap partially threaded. With so many rods, keeping caps in order would be a problem if left off.

Same as Marty.

No, not an issue. I simply place each cap down and to the left of the respective tubes. I don't have any children or pets so nothing ever gets moved unless I move it.

[PT48]

In a wardrobe, in their bags, attached to bulldog clips which are attached to coat hangers.

[GrayHackleRods]

Vertically, in the rod sock, in a tube, caps on in a wine barrel, in my office in the basement.