[Frequent Flyer]

I have an older 5 wt, two piece fly rod made from a St. Croix blank. I recently broke off a small piece of the tip on the lower half. It still fits up into the insert of the top half of the rod. It appears that only a very small piece broke off the end of the rod. It happened on a recent trip and I still used it without any noticeable casting issues.

Does anyone have any advise on how to repair this rod? Thanks

 

[sevenweight]

I think the rod is toast.

 

[lemaymiami]

If you have the model number of the blank used to build that rod - St Croix may be able to sell you a replacement section that will allow you to build a replacement...

If that was a factory rod they might do a repair or replacement under warranty...

I build almost every rod on my skiff so if one of my anglers breaks one... I’m the guy who has to build another. That’s why I switched over to factory rods for my fly anglers. I simply can’t build a replacement fly rod quickly enough - and we break our share of fly rods.

 

[Frequent Flyer]

A good excuse to buy a new one!
I hate to trash it while it still casts.

Thanks for the info. A friend of mine built the rod for me 16 or more years ago, maybe he’s got the model number somewhere.

It’s a clean break (probably just 1/16” of the top is mia) but I might square off the end, install a small foam plug and put a few drops of epoxy in to make the end solid. It’s getting retired to Bass pond duty.

 

[sevenweight]

I have a couple older rods with structural issues that keep them off the water but which cast fine. I keep one or the other strung up on the back porch with a line that’s seen better days so I can practice in the back yard. Then when I get on the water, my state-of-the-art toys feel like a million bucks.

The only issue with your rod is potential breakage. You could always mix up some epoxy and make it a one-piece.

 

[Guest]

Do you have any rod building experience? You could repair that easy, 1/16th how did you do that? Put a picture up so people can see what you have done and if I cant help you somebody else will. Its only a #5, theres lots of things you can do before you buy a new rod. I just dont know how you have taken that little off the butt section.

 

[Frequent Flyer]

The rod came apart about an hour after I started fishing. I must not have snugged it up when I put it together. That’s never happened to me before with a fly rod, just with spin casting Bass rods. I’m just glad it happened with my old two piece and not my pricey Winston trout rod.

The St. Croix’s are pretty decent though, I’ve got another in 9 wt for salt water and they’ve held up over the years.

I tie flies but haven’t built rods. Is there a plug that caps off the hollow ends of the blank? Is this discussion now going to cost me $hundreds$ because I get lured into a new hobby? I gotta get the new skiff rigged the way I like it first!

 

[Frequent Flyer]

 

[Guest]

You have nothing to worry about, not hundreds infact next to nothing. I wrote an explanation but it wont post. I will try again tomorrow.

 

[permitchaser]

Lefty said to put wax on the male pice and it will stay together better. Specially old rods

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Good advise, thank you.

 

[Guest]

Ok I'll try again. The basics are clean the joint both ends with meths/spirit and very lightly rub a paraffin wax candle over the M part ( some candles today are vegetable oil based, paraffin wax is the one you want ) then when you put the rod together offset the tip guides and gently twist into line as you pull the 2 sections together. The plug in the M section is just to stop the ingress of dirt and water, do not fill it with any kind of epoxy. It plays no part in the strength of the rod, thats the blanks job. Yes you can replace the plug with the correct material. Some people throw their tip section simply because they are not really as good a caster as they would like, not saying thats you. As far as a worn joint is concerned, if I had the rod in front of me I could tell you in 5 mins how to fix it. A tapered joint can just need a tiny amount of material taking off the joint but if you've never done it best left to a rod builder/ repairer. Any fly shop worth their salt will have a staff member who can give you the correct advice.

 

[Guest]

Should add that if you are not happy with the advice or the costs then just smile and say thanks I'll think about it. Then post any questions on the forum again and people will do what they can to help you.

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Before I took that photo I gently cut/squared the end off and lightly sanded with 400 grit paper (Like trimming an arrow shaft to size). I have removed the part that was damaged, and it snugs up just fine. I’ll do the wax trick the next time I fish it and put it to the test. That’s the first and only time that has happened to me with any of my fly rods.
Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Sounds like your a bow hunter, you did a good job and it cost you nothing. Thats what I was saying from the off, little bit of careful fettling and the rods good to go again. Nice job.