b'MaintainingRods Master Lanza rod builder Graeme Paterson provides his go-tips for looking after your prized rods.BY GRAEME PATERSONW ith no moving parts like a fishing reel, most anglers would like to think, "nothing to do here" and put the rod away until the next trip. But when the next trip arrives and we notice a build-up of salt around guides, the reel seat, plus a brownish rusty stain appearing on the guide feet just under the clear epoxy and even on the stainless hoods of the reel seat. This is all down to a lack of basic cleaning maintenance.Before any fishing gear is put away it all needs to be cleaned well, and I will cover off a few useful tips for those wanting their rods fit for purpose for the years to come.SALT & UV DAMAGEYou may not realise what the combination of salt, sun and UV does to the clear epoxy over your guides. This combo is a rod-killer, it hardens and dries the epoxy around the guides causing flaking,Quality lure rods such as this yellowing and enhances corrosion. Lanza Slipknot are built using the best Fuji guides which should So how can we get somebe washed with warm soapy longevity out of our rod? water after each trip. /FISHINGINGODZONE19'