While minor from a performance standpoint, Internal Ferrules (the lower section has a plug that slips into the end of the upper section) sure are aesthetically pleasing and some "traditionalists" refuse to buy anything else. However, the realty is that today's Overlay ferrules (the upper section slides over the lower section) are every bit as good and in many cases, we feel better.

While we personally use rods with both types of ferrules, we must admit that we have had more rod tips with internal ferrules fly off during aggressive casting than those with overlays. In addition, while rare, we have worn out a ferrule to a point where it would no longer work (the two sections of the blank touched resulting in a loose fit). We have also seen more broken internal ferrules than overlay ferrules.

As such, we definitely prefer overlay ferrules for rods that we cast aggressively (fast-action). However, we are somewhat partial to internal ferrules on slow-action and multi-piece rods. Since we feel that an internal ferrule is a cleaner (at least aesthetically) connection, it becomes more important to us as we add sections! The bad news is that many fine rods (Sage, etc.) do not use internal ferrules and those that do are typically expensive (over $500).

1. Material (Tradition or Technology?)
   
2. Line Weight (One Size Doesn't Fit All!)
   
3. Action (There Is A Place For All Of Them...)
   
4. Length (Size Does Matter!)
   
5. Pieces (Are You Sure You Want That 12-Piece Rod?)
   
6. Overlay vs. Internal Ferrules (The Real Difference!)
   
7. Standard Snake vs. Single Foot Guides (The Real Deal!)
   
8. Factory vs. Custom (Things You Should Know!)
   
9. Warranties (Why They Are Important...)
   
10. New vs. Used (Is It really such a Great Deal?)
    
11. Discontinued Rods (What Are They Really Worth?)
    

FLY RODS OUR STRATEGYFLY REELS