Rainy Weather Casting - How Do You Keep Your Grip?

I'm not sure what to say. I've long felt that a virtue of cork grips is that it offers a secure grip under all weather conditions, including heavy rain. Being a life-long western WA resident, I've fished in the rain a lot. I haven't experienced the grip-slip that you mention. Admittedly, 1/2" in a day is getting up there in the realm of serious rain and is probably close to the threshold where our rivers blow out, and I call it a day and wait for the rivers to drop back into fishable shape.

Sg

4sallypat said:

Question to those who fish in wet states:

So yesterday it actually rained a decent 1/2" in Southern California (amazing since we are in a drought) as I was out fishing on the salt water bay and found that the wet weather caused my hands to loose grip with the cork grips.

I was fishing with a spey rod and both corks were slipping from my hands causing bad casts..

What do you use to keep your hands from loosing grip on your rods during wet rainy weather ?

Are there gloves you can use to prevent slipping or is there a cork grip tape you can suggest ?

BTW: I am going on a salmon trip to the Puget Sound in a few weeks and for steelhead in Oregon so I expect it will rain on me for those days so a solution would be nice.
I'd hate to loose my rod in the water......

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There are two things you might try. I'm kinda just spitballing here, but they come from my days playing competitive foosball and what we would use to improve grip on the wooden handles. While sweaty hands aren't quite as severe as rain, my thoughts are simple and relatively cheap.

First, a lot of people liked latex bike tubes (I'm not positive if you can find them small enough diameter for a fly rod--I know nothing about bike tubes). Just cut the right length and roll it on the handle like a prophylactic.

I never liked the tubes, so I used tennis racket wraps. Just wrap them on and secure with a thick rubberband. They make about a billion different types and they are generally ~$3 each.

Good luck.

Huh, I've never experienced grip problems with cork handles in rain. When I first read the title, I imagined it was probably slipping with the fly line. I do have some problems with that. When it's cold and wet out it can be tough to grip running lines while double hauling. Some lines are worse than others.

Back to your actual problem, my guess is it might be a muscle memory thing. We in the cold wet climates might have a tighter grip muscle memory than you fair weather folks. I bet you'll just get used to it, and the problem will go away with more time fishing in wet weather. But if you're coming up for winter fishing, you may find yourself wearing grippy glove anyways.

dld said:

...my days playing competitive foosball...

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Let me know if you're interested in a high quality table, under used.

Back to regular programming...

nitrile gloves

Do the neoprene gloves or 3 cut finger gloves help in the rain ?

Maybe work out or something?

I use the clear silicone self fusing tape you get at Wal-Mart. usually just put it on the upper part of the spey handle where my hand goes. Cheap and easy.


YL03

Fished in cold rain all my fishing career . 40 years never had an issue

4sallypat said:

Do the neoprene gloves or 3 cut finger gloves help in the rain ?

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I have neoprene gloves. Never used them in the rain, but I think they would make it worse. For me at least, the thickness of the glove interferes with maintaining a secure grip.

Clean your cork with soap and a soft scrub brush.
You haven't sealed the cork with anything have you?

4sallypat said:

Question to those who fish in wet states:

So yesterday it actually rained a decent 1/2" in Southern California (amazing since we are in a drought) as I was out fishing on the salt water bay and found that the wet weather caused my hands to loose grip with the cork grips.

I'd hate to loose my rod in the water......

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Is the plastic wrap still on the cork?

Leland.

It sounds like you're doing something in your casting stroke to try to fling the rod out of your grip. Assuming you're actually spey casting, I'd suggest you keep your stroke compact, pull more with your bottom hand, and slow down. If you're casting overhead, I've got nothing for you.

miyawaki said:

Is the plastic wrap still on the cork?

Leland.

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Ha ha - funny!

4sallypat said:

Ha ha - funny!

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Don't laugh . I have seen this many times .

Is it simply that your grip on the rod is too loose or soft? Try increasing your finger grip on the rod at every stage of the stroke, and especially at the stops.

I've never had this issue but in sailing we wear atlas gloves. They are knit with a blue plastic on the palm side. It helps us grip small lines with heavy loads in super wet conditions.

Check out your local ace glove section. Normal atlas gloves are blue but they make a thin version in grey that would give you more feel. Plus they only cost $5!

tackleman said:

Clean your cork with soap and a soft scrub brush.
You haven't sealed the cork with anything have you?

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Good point. Well used grips gather much sweat and oils from our hands and eventually lose the natural traction they offer. A good cleaning should restore that and solve your problem. Also, be like @Swimmy and wash, no, scrub your hands thoroughly before handling your rod .

If you're using flat mono, then yes, sometimes it's hard to hold on to.

I use a length of regular running line in front of my flat mono. No longer an issue.