Some of you may have come across my previous post about a damaged fly rod blank. I know that lighter fly rod blanks can be used to make fine ultra light spinning rods. What about the heavier ones? The damage on my blank (13 wt Loomis) is in just the right spot for a spinning reel seat if I repurposed it as a 9' surf/salmon rod. I have seen several tarpon fishermen here on the Texas coast using 9' salmon rods for tarpon off the jetties. The casting head of a 13 wt fly line is approximately 1 oz., which would work for throwing jigs heads and Hogy plastics. The action would be much softer than a purpose built spinning blank. I hate to just leave this thing in the safe unused, or throw it away. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any info is appreciated. Thanks

If not possible to repair,I would say you have nothing to lose by trying it. Might end up with a gem.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2019 07:20PM by Lynn Behler.

You are right you should not leave it in a safe unused.

My advise is to give it your best shot. Build the rod as you would like it to be and test it.

Setting up a trial rod is easy, assemble the rod but don't glue or finish any of the components and test it. If you are disappointed with the results you can always make adjustments. A cut here an extension there a posible guide relocation until you are satisfied.

Making spinning rods from fly rod blanks is not new. Do it, you have nothing to lose.It may wind up being a tremendous learning experience and confidence builder.

Good Luck

John

I have built a bunch of 4 piece fly blanks into spinning rods. It's not a big deal. Just realize they do not fight a fish like a real spinning rod. But for making 4 piece travel rods, it works great. But they are much softer and slower than a spinning blank.

Now a 13 weight (did not realize there was such a thing) has got to be a pretty powerful rod. I'll bet it will be great as a spinning rod, and, you have nothing to loose. Your rod is already damaged.

My rule of thumb is to upsize by 2 the weight range of a fly blank. So If I'd fish for salmon with an 8 weight fly rod, I'd fish for the same salmon with a spinning rod made out of a 10 weight fly blank.

But in the end, real spinning rod blanks, make better spinning rods, than fly blanks made into spinning rods. This is no surprise.

Drew

Adam,
Many will agree it is much better to utilize a fly blank to produces an ultralight spinning rod rather than the inverse. I have done it numerous times and have been very pleased with the results. Granted, I prefer a full-flexing ultralight rod to enhance the Fun-Factor of fighting smaller mountain trout, but locating a 7-8 ft, 1-4lb spinning blank produces minimal results. Many have argued using such a fly blank for a spinning rod produces a rod which is “sloppy”. To-each-his-own!!! I find them to be an absolute joy to fish, yet at times, requiring true ANGLEING to be exercised and executed. As for a 13wt blank converted to a spinning rod, I do not have a clue but agree with previous post suggesting to “go for it”. What have you got to lose other than knowledge? JMO. Keep us posted.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Adam, this is one of the fun things of rod making..if this is your first repurpose, it won,t be your last..lol.

Thanks everyone for the input. I would love to be able to find a replacement butt section and keep this as a fly rod, but it is highly unlikely. I will probably start this project in the winter, when fishing slows down here in Texas. I'm thinking it will be the equivalent of a medium heavy spinning rod once completed.

Is the butt section beyond all hope of repair?

Yes, without going into too much detail; I basically burned through about 50% of the skin of the blank in one portion. Kind of like a second degree burn on your arm. It was caused by friction when I jerry rigged the blank in my cork lathe to reshape the handle.

Quality fly rods in heavier weights (9wt.+) are designed and built with the assumption most users will double-haul when they cast, which increases the strain on the blank by at least 50%. Spin casters do not double haul. These facts, combined with the shortened blank you will be working with should allow your finished flyspin rod to cast 2 ounces (total) weight and handle juvenile tarpon with ease.

It would be interesting to measure the CCS intrinsic power and Action angle on your shortened fly rod blank. If for nothing else than for comparison purposes, and having the hard data on hand.
Norm

I'd think it quite easy to fix, and well worth it, assuming you wish to have a high end 13 weight fly rod.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I agree with both Lynn and Russel to try and repair the butt section, if you want to keep it as a fly rod. A break in this portion of the rod is relatively easy to fix without affecting function or feel.
Norm

I would really prefer to repair it, I'm just not sure the best way to do it. It would be easier for those of you with experience to help me if I posted a pic of the damage. (Probably should have done that in the first place). The damage is currently overwrapped with thread, spanning about an inch either side of the burn. I will go ahead and take the wraps off and post a pic. I'm new to the forums, rules say no pics in messages. Does this apply to this situation, or just pics of finished work? Do I post the pic in photo gallery then just direct you guys to go check it out. Thanks for all the help thus far.

As I understand it, pics are to be posted only in the pics section. Maybe it takes up too much space or bandwidth. Miscellaneous category would be best.