Hello:
I recently purchased, from a local thrift store, a two piece fiberglass fly rod (FENWICK FL84-5) for a first time rewrap project.
The rod is missing, broken off, the tip-approximately 11 inches from the second section.

My first question, can a guide be wrapped on a ferrule (this ferrule is from another piece of similar colored fiberglass rod glued to the second section, with a guide wrapped on it)?

My second question, two part, can a tip be used on the broken section, or should I replace the 11 inches of missing piece?
note: I did cut off the craked, broken, end from the second
section, it now has a "clean" end to work with.

My third question, should I rewrap using the same number of guides, location ?

If there is any thing else I should do or not do, the suggestion(s) is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Paul Lopez

Hi Paul,
If the rod is 11" shorter than original then I would say that you can't put on the same number of guides. After cutting the broken part of the blank you should file the edges so it doesn't splinter. On the guide on the Ferrule I don't really like to put them on there I prefer moving it above there.
Neal Cissel

If you still have the tip that broke off it can be spliced back on via the article in RodMaker a year or so ago. But if you don't than you'll have to install a top at the point of breakage. A rod that has been shortened 11" is not going to be much of a rod if it is something that you plan on fishing with.

Just a suggestion, but you could buy a pretty inexpensive kit or even a 2nd or blem blank and outfit it with some inexpensive components and just get in your practice making an inexpensive rod. And when done you'd have something you could fish with and enjoy. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a nice fishing tool.

Paul, Personally I would not waste my time with a fly rod that is missing 11 inches unless I had another tip to replace the broken one. As Neal and William stated, the action will not be the same and you can put your energy towards building a new rod. Check out the ads on the left. Go through each ones list of blanks and you will be suprised at the good buys available. Order a blem at a very cheap price or a blank that is being discontinued, some wire guides, preformed grips and a graphite reel seat and you are in business at a very low price. I got started building rods because I took an old rod to be rewrapped and didn't like the workmanship. That was over 20 years ago and I still have the rod to remind me.