Sorry if this question is weak, but can graphite and poly arbors be used to anchor a fly rod reel seat?

Sure can; they'll keep it nice and light if the correct amount of epoxy is used.

Putter
Williston, ND

Sure. Check the latest RodMaker Magazine issue for an article on all the popular arbors and what you can make them out of. There are many materials suitable for making these arbors/bushings/shims. Cork, foam, string, thread, tape, drywall tape, wood, etc.


Anything that is light but rigid, impervious to the elements, and that won't tend to shrink or dry or crack, is a candidate for reel seat arbor material.

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I find it easy to use the flex coat arbors. Glue them into the seat. After dry, ream to fit the blank.

Tom, enjoyed your article in Rodmaker. Got it yesterday. One question. Has anyone tried duct tape. As the saying goes: Where is the duct tape? I can fix anything with duct tape.

Ed Smith

Gees! I must be losing my mind. I have that issue of RodMaker Magazine. Does the size of the arbor match the size of the wood reel seat? How should you measure for the arbor? Should they fit snug or a bit lose so glue will flow between the reel seat and arbor. Can you ream them out by hand?

I'd say snug; wouldn't really want them loose. Graphite reams easily by hand. Again, you can glue the arbors in the seat first and ream them out later when the adhesive is cured.

Putter
Williston, ND

Do I measure the reel seat for the size of the arbors I want to buy?

Yes, but I'd also order the next size bigger. Funny how different brand of, say 16mm reel seats fit on so-called 16mm arbors. One brand reel seat fits snug and another sloppy. When they're sloppy, I like to take the next bigger size, 17mm in this example, and sand them down to fit snug.

Putter
Williston, ND