Can I fix it?

I have a rod I've fished with for years that my Dad bought me for my High School graduation gift--needless to say it has tremendous sentimental value to me and I just broke it! This rod helped to shape my casting style and fits me like it was made especially for me. It has a lifetime warranty, so normally I'd send it back and get it repaired or a new one. Here's the problem: it was custom built by a guy who worked at a fly shop in Utah that is now out of business. I believe this shop was owned by Dave Scadden, who now makes/sales the popular Scadden pontoons.

Here is the situation: like an idiot I smashed the tip-end of the bottom section (4 piece rod) in the truck door. I carefully inspected it and found no problems at all so figured I'd gotten extremely lucky. The rod wasn't actually smashed, I pulled it out at the last second, but it still took a good hit. I fished with it 3 times after that, caught fish and had no problems. Then a few days ago I was really powering through a super long cast and "SNAP!" The rod cracked from the very end of that bottom section about 5 inches down. My heart about sank and I've been trying to find some direction on how to fix it, but everything out there is all about fixing breaks that have gone clear through the graphite.

Is there anything I can do to fix this rod and keep it from splitting further? What would you guys/gals suggest? It's a 5 wt. and I'd hoped to pass it on to one of my sons at some point...can I do anything? Thank you in advance for your input!

i would get in touch with the manufacturer of the blank and explain your situation. if its too old they may no longer have anymore of that particular blank.

just because it was custom made by someone other than a factory, doesnt mean the factory wont repair/replace it.

yes its probably gonna cost you money to have it repaired/replaced.

Thanks Normand, the only problem is I'm unsure who the blank manufacturer is. The fellas name who built the rod was Gene Snow and I've heard he built them on GLoomis GL2 blanks, but I don't know that for sure. Anybody from out west have any idea which blanks Gene built his rods on?

It can probably be fixed. I'd go over to Rodbuilding.org and check out the rod builders in your area. There are many qualified guys out there that can do the repair.

Ryan -

Wouldn't really recommend a "do-it-yourself" repair for your rod, but if you are so inclined, here is a pretty off the wall idea for you to wrap your mind around ??

A couple years ago I broke the tip end of a spinning rod. I found a paper clip that had the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the rod. Inserted a piece of the paper clip to extend about an inch above and below the break. Then super glued the edges of the break, which was not clean cut across, but more crosswise down and through the rod. Fished that rod for quite a while and caught a lot of fish on it before a friend hooked into a BIG brown, and the rod came unglued, so to speak.

The point is - you are dealing with the male ferrule end ( or are you ?? ) of the strongest section of the rod. Perhaps you can insert a 6-7" piece of graphite rod blank that has the appropriate "inside diameter / outside diameter" fit and glue or expoxy it in place. Then put some decorative wraps over the area below where the female ferrule fits and at the lowest point of the crack to reinforce it. It might change the feel of the rod minimally, but it might also salvage an heirloom ??

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

John

Call the Old Dutchman and see when their repair guy will be in, they'll give you the straight answer on fixing or not.

Thanks for the info and thoughts guys. I think I might have tracked down a guy who worked with Gene and might have a few butt sections left over from back when he was building them. I think I'll try to get a hold of one. Thanks all!

Good evening WildOne.
So whats your problem ?
Your rod is easy to fix !

And in doing so you will still have the rod given to you to hand down to your kids, a wonderful idea that you should be very proud of.

OK, Lets fix that rod.

I guess you will still have the two broklen sections ?
Now, find a busted rod, they are around all over the place, but you must ask people.
Cannot find one, then try a aroplane hobby shop as they stock graphite tubes.

Then find a section the same diameter as the broken area on your rod.

NOW THE TRICK.
You must cut and keep cuting away the new found broken section till it fits that tight OVER your broken sections that it ALMOST doesn't need epoxy glue to hold it together.

The over lapping section will need to be about 2 to 3 inches long on each side of the broken joint.

Apply a good epoxy glue and slide the sections together, not that 5 minute stuff.

AND WAIT, at least 3 days or more before testing the repaired section.

Ideally, sand down the edges of the covering/joining section at each end, to about 45degress, so that when a fly line bounces along the rod it does not touch a right angled edge.

And you could repaint or refinish the rod, however that would then not be the same as given to you.

Kind regards,
UB
PS, when we sell a replacement section for one of our rods, we have the customer return the broken sections, (if they still have them )which we repair for free as a service to try and help the customer.