As my Mother used to say, "Not on a youdamnbetcha!" would I accept that solution! You'll do what you feel necessary to do, but, mercy, this stinks! Talk to the owner, start posting names and agencies, do what ever it takes to end this with you getting a replacement/SAME rod as HE destroyed. The heck with collecting some funds here-some funds there! THAT owner needs to step up and make it RIGHT! And, in a time frame that would be, IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER!
Trouts don't live in ugly places.
A friend is not who knows you the longest, but the one who came and never left your side.
Don't look back, we ain't goin' that way.