I want to put together one of my grandfather's cane rods this winter. I would like some opinions.

Rod #1 is a three piece, 9 foot, H-I Governor, cool bakelite reel seat, well worn grip.. about 8 inches short in the tip.

Rod #2 is a three piece, 9 foot South Bend, 359-9' cheap looking reelseat, cool looking grip... about a foot short.

There is a non original tip matched up with this rod that is three inches too long. (it has the same color florist tape holding on the snake guides)

I also have a mid section and two short tip sections from an unknown 8 1/2 foot rod of what looks like quality construction. One tip is short two inches (+/-) from the top. The other tip section is 1 inch short from above the ferrule

The puzzle is.. if it was you, which rod would you put together(first?)and which pieces would you use?
(is the H-I rod a better rod than the S.B.?)
(should I cut down the long tip)
( banty?)


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"too much of anything is bad, but too much whisky is just enough"
Mark Twain




[This message has been edited by dudley (edited 10 January 2006).]