rivergeek
01-30-2008, 06:05 PM
Recently I had an unfortunate "door shut" incident with my favorite Elkhorn Big Game 8 wt fly rod. My heart just sank. :mad: I know better. I just got sloppy and paid the price.
Stickfish had described how to fix it but I didn't have any proper materials for sleeves or inserts. It was the end piece with a tiny I.D. I called up the manufacturer, Elkhorn Fly Rods & Reels in Loveland, CO and decided to have them replace the piece with a new one ($30). But Brian there was happy to also send me several matching color broken pieces from other rods so I could give the repair a shot to keep on hand a spare tip section.
It broke right next to a guide so I figured with my skills, it would look like sh-- by the time I got around to wrapping on a new guide. But luck was in my corner and I was able to cut a piece for the sleeve just the right size and it had a matching size guide, too. I epoxied in a 3" insert piece and epoxied the sleeve over it. I only lost 1/2" in the repair process. Voila! :) Now I've got an extra, but I hope to never have to use it. On the other hand, I will try it out and see if I can tell a difference. I guess one thing to keep in mind here is that some rod manufacturers will happily help you with proper materials for repairs. Won't hurt to ask.
In the photo, the top piece is the new section. This was really easy, you can barely even notice the repair from a ways off.
Stickfish had described how to fix it but I didn't have any proper materials for sleeves or inserts. It was the end piece with a tiny I.D. I called up the manufacturer, Elkhorn Fly Rods & Reels in Loveland, CO and decided to have them replace the piece with a new one ($30). But Brian there was happy to also send me several matching color broken pieces from other rods so I could give the repair a shot to keep on hand a spare tip section.
It broke right next to a guide so I figured with my skills, it would look like sh-- by the time I got around to wrapping on a new guide. But luck was in my corner and I was able to cut a piece for the sleeve just the right size and it had a matching size guide, too. I epoxied in a 3" insert piece and epoxied the sleeve over it. I only lost 1/2" in the repair process. Voila! :) Now I've got an extra, but I hope to never have to use it. On the other hand, I will try it out and see if I can tell a difference. I guess one thing to keep in mind here is that some rod manufacturers will happily help you with proper materials for repairs. Won't hurt to ask.
In the photo, the top piece is the new section. This was really easy, you can barely even notice the repair from a ways off.