Trying to locate the middle section for the old 4FT909 blank. I know St Croix discontinued but does anyone still carry or can anyone manufacture a replacement section? Any advice would be welcome.

Without the mandrel and pattern it is highly unlikely that anyone can or would manufacture a replacement section for you. The cost would be astronomical.

You may try St. Croix and see what the replacement cost would be for a similar current blank, or if they might have any of the original leftovers remaining in stock.

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Thanks. I talked to St. Croix a few years ago and they don't have the old blank at all any more. I just hate to waste a nice rod that I built just for one busted section.

I think you are SOL, especially with a 3-piece. I'd give up the farm and buy a Carbon 4 blank from Rod Geeks. It should be pretty close in performance.

P.S. It @#$%& breaking an old favorite rod for which there is no replacement. Did it to a vintage, first generation 5-weight Sage many years ago in a car trunk. It was a two piece. They sent me a replacement butt section from a newer model but it did not match the old rod action well at all.

If you have the broken section it can be repaired using the process in the Library. Better than giving up.

Try Stroud Tackle in San Diego. Rick has a large supply of older St Croix blanks. If he has your blank it will be less than replacing the mid section thru the company. There’s a blank inventory on the website: stroudtackle.com
Jack

Keep in mind that even an identical blank may not suffice in terms of that mid section fitting your rod. Rod blanks are not precision instruments in the way that machined items are.

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Holy @#$%&, Jack...it looks like they have it on their site! Shot them an email. And I suppose if that middle section doesn't fit I could just build the whole rod again...but I haven't built a full rod in over 5 years now.

Peter:
Sorry I didn't respond more quickly, but we were in Mexico for a few days and out of touch. The owner of Stroud's is Rick Vorst. They're only open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 10-4, I think. Phone is 619-276-4822. If Rick isn't in, Craig knows where the blanks are kept. The reason they have all those old blanks is a long story, but it's all legit, and the blanks for the most part are in brand new condition. They've been a great source for me because I build rods for San Diego Fly Fishers for raffle or @#$%& and the revenue goes to California Trout and other local conservation causes. I can often build a rod for less than a $100, and the Club will get $200-$300 for them. That's good advice from Tom Kirkman. I'd just buy the entire blank. And if the mid section does fit, it's always good to have an extra tip section, too.

Anyway, just call Rick and tell him which blank you need, he will confirm it's still in inventory and you can figure out how to get it to you. Feel free to use my name if you want.

Jack

Thanks, Jack. I sent an email via their website, but perhaps I will just give them a call. I will let all know what happens here...hoping for a happy outcome.