This winter I built a bamboo rod from an Elkhorn blank. I hand sanded and prepared the banboo to accept the ferrels, epoxied them on etc.

Today the butt section of the rod broke at the ferrel. It is a clean break, showing to me that it was a manufacturer's defect. In this case I am the manufacturer.

What I am thinking is that I should take the rod to someone with a lathe and have all sections turned to the right diameter. I assume if the butt broke the other section will probably suffer the same end sooner rather than later because my turning process was flawed. This will give me a rod that is about 4" shorter than designed.

Is it safe to assume that if I do this I can use the same ferrels and the blank being turned 2 " up the butt and 2" down the tips will not effect the structural integrity of the rod.

Does this make sense as a solution and will it greatly effect the action of the rod, or should I hang it on the wall and call it a nice (but sad) learning experience.

For what its worth, it was a sweet rod.

jed