No offense, but I'm not sure why you would do this. The filler provides extra crush resistance for the blank where it needs help the most. The filler also keeps water and "vermin" from getting into the rod.

The material is likely a polymer that cured in place. Anything that dissolves it may damage the rod resin too. A small-bore nylon cleaning brush might be enough to get it out, but be careful you don't also abrade the glass. Brass and steel brushes would be too aggressive.

Personally, I would plug the blank with silicone caulk to keep the bugs out of the interior.


Tom

Thank you for the feedback. I had read a couple of posts about people removing that filler. I guess it was in some other forums in which they had been given some suggestions. I couldn’t find anything on our site.

I have built about 10 rods and I’ve never seen filler in blanks before this rod. So to me, I just didn’t really see it as something necessary. It does bother me somewhat because of the aesthetics - khaki/cork color causes end of blank to show through translucent rod. I have seen some folks use silicone or something clear as a plug and I’ve seen some rods with plugs but not any that I’ve built.

It is something that I can live with. Ends of ferrules seem reinforced pretty well though. I’ve only removed it from the bottom blank but walls are think enough not to reveal anything through blanks.

Still considering removal but have been leaning towards just leaving them alone.

Blue Halo says that the plugs can be removed without voiding the warranty. They are provided because folks want a ferrule plug.

I’m not a fan but if I can clean the largest ferrule thoroughly, then I will remove the plugs. If not, no biggie.

Honestly, if the plugs looked more uniform or nicer, I probably would keep them.

If the junk can be cleaned up, maybe a bit of caulk. I’ve got a couple of other rods that could use it. And it’s more than just looking cool. I just want it to look like good and proper build. Think they coulda done better with the plug.

Well I'll be darned. Glad you asked them.

I can see how a plug can be cosmetic and even structural. But other than that, I don’t see a necessity if the rod can get grime and grit or water in the other end. I do see maybe how a rod company is saving money by not including it.

I know folks can be particular and have their own specs or preferences for rods. Blue Halo said I can take out the plugs because it won’t affect integrity.

What is it going to matter if your rod comes apart on the stream and water enters from the bottom? What good is that plug (if it’s not structural)? Cosmetics? If Blue Halo told me to leave the plugs alone, then I wouldn’t touch them.

I do have Lamiglas blanks waiting to be built on. There is a plug. I am leaving that plug. No issues there. I’m not looking to rip out all plugs or convince folks they are totally unnecessary.

Hello
Most of the rods that have crossed my bench in need of repairs have had ferrule union issues.
At the very least 1/2 of those loose or broken ferrules were buggered up from dirt inside the blank.

We see rods with Very Nice Little Ferrule End Plugs that seal the female ferrules during storage.
These plugs while looking great and serving the common good tend to get lost very easily.
In my opinion my time is better spent reinforcing the ferrule by making an actual working ferrule support ring or rings.

Missing dust plugs are the first step toward premature ferrule union failure,blanks without dust plugs are historically the sign of a cheaply made rod blank,as rod makers it's our responsibility to see that a dust plug is properly fitted to help prevent dirt from compromising the ferrule union.

If you insist on removing the factory plugs From Your Blue Halo blanks and your good with that go for it !!
Honestly Could Care Less What You Do With The Rods Your Assembling.

You Asked For Our Help, We Tried To Help,If Your Hell Bent To Go Against Common Sense & The Good Advice You Have Been Given So Be It And Good Luck.

The Difference Is That Many Here Are A Custom To Making Fishing Rods That Are Made To Last And Have Lasted For Generations.
We Also Know From Experience That Removing The Dust Plug From A Ferrule Is A Recipe For Trouble Down The Road.


Tight Lines And Always Glad To Help, If Your Unable To Listen That's Your Problem Loops
Andy M

Removing the plug shouldn't be a big deal, just another way to do things. All good, enjoy the rod build.

Thanks for the feedback, Swedish_Fish. Slowly working on cleaning out that ferrule with a rotary tool. May do the others. I’m like you, tend to make things worse. Taking my time. Just wanted to build something as I wanted it to be. Taking more time as I build them and gathering rod building info.

Other than the bottom blank, I left the ferrules alone. I bought a raw blanks from North Fork Composites and left the plugs in those blanks alone. Just not worth the time to remove them and I guess they’ve dubbed enough research it received enough feedback to place those plugs in there.

Thanks.