In my effort to seek information on the best way to balance my 10' fly rod, I was reluctant to change the grip and reelseat I had already glued on. I could have glued 1 1/4 ozs of lead in the butt and I would have been the only one that would know. But this rod is for my step-son's birthday and being a perfectionist, I can't build it that way. And I did such a great job wrapping the guides so I don't really want to alter them.

The full wells grip on it was a short 7" long. I marked the "fulcrum" point on the grip where it would be normally held and found that the balance point I wanted is only about 7/8" further up the grip. So I bit the bullet and called REC, ordered their 7 1/2" full wells non-inletted grip, plus a recessed cork hood ring that fits my RSLS reelseat (plus an extra cork ring). I will scrape off the other grip and build an 8" to 8 1/2" full wells grip that will more than easily balance the rod. One cork ring is only 24 grains (.05 ozs) before it's bored out and turned down so if I use two, it should be less than .1 of an ounce - this sounds like my best option to balance the rod instead of adding a chunk of lead in the butt. You guys are always right - thanks again.