When removing a rod from a downrigger rod holder, there is a tendency for the corks on the butt end of the grip to drag over the edge of the rod holder with the subsequent removal of chunks of cork. I thought l'd replace the damaged ones up to the reel seat, but want to do it correctly. Do l ream out all the forks to the diameter of the last one and use thread, tape or?? to fill the gap for the ones up to the reel seat, or is there another way?

If you have a cork lathe turn all cork down to level of naked butt. This will give you a parallel blank (no taper) so all replacement cork rings can be reamed to same diameter bore.
If no lathe do same by hand using the rear of the reel seat and butt as a guide.
Herb

You can also replace it with a graphite tube or smooth butt
As you have found out cork is not the best thing for rod holders
Maybe a composite cork

Bill - willierods.com

x10 on Bill's comment.

If you are going to replace a butt section of a rod that is frequently used in a rod holder, replace the entire grip with a different grip - like a smooth grip, EVA, or Hypalon.

Good luck

Maybe the easiest option would be to fill in the areas where the cork has chipped out with a paste of cork dust and epoxy, or a filler of your choice.. Then sand the butt smooth and cover with rubber x-flock shrink tubing, or some other heavy duty shrink tube. A heat gun will shrink it nicely. This should give you a very functional chip resistant handle.
Norm

bill boettcher Wrote:
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> You can also replace it with a graphite tube or
> smooth butt
> As you have found out cork is not the best thing
> for rod holders
> Maybe a composite cork

I believe l will try the composite cork first , wrapping the rod with thread, to fill the gap and then epoxy them on individually. Out of curiosity, how would l get an EVA grip to slide over the butt and still grip the narrower section of the blank?

Like Tom had told you
Find eva with a certain size hole All are different sizes Find the size of the butt end of the rod Get eva with that size or close Sand the old handle to fit the eva

Bill - willierods.com

I second Norman's suggestion. Filling and shrink tubing is the easiest, quickest, least expensive, and most functional solution.

I believe Gordon would like to repair between the present butt and the seat. Lynn