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[rrt]

I am not a craftsman. I cannot fix or repair anything. Yet, I think I managed to "fix" a rod I broke last week.

It was my old Orvis Rocky Mt. 7', 5-wt., my favorite small-stream rod. I had snagged a fly on a tree branch. I carefully (I really was careful) pulled the branch down and was saddened to see that the last 3" of the tip had broken off. I actually fished with it that was for the rest of the morning. When I got home, I found that I could not remove the metal tip from the graphite, so with my wife's help, I ordered three replacement tips of various sizes. When they arrived, I found that the middle-sized replacement tip would slide down over the tip section of the rod.

How to make it stay? One of my two favorite "tools" is super glue (the other is duct tape), and my wife found me a small tube of super glue gel in one of our closets. I smeared some gel over the broken rod tip and slid on the replacement metal tip. I then smeared a little more around the outside of the metal tip where it fits onto the graphite.

This morning I discovered that my "repair" seems to have worked. If the weather is not too horrible tomorrow, I plan to give it a try.

(FYI -- With the Rocky. Mt. rod down, I used a 7', 5wt. Fenwick Aero that someone on here recommended when I was looking for a backup to the Rocky. Mt. rod a couple of years ago, since I thought the old Orvis rod might be wearing out from material fatigue. The Fenwick performed adequately, though I don't know if it would handle a big fish, and I am still discouraged that it was made in China.)


Anyhow, that is my story of rod repair. I imagine true rod builders would find my use of super glue abhorrent! But, that's what I used.

 

[a23fish]

Those replacement tip guides usually come with a stick of hot glue. I've used those a couple times over the years and it works. But if superglue works, it works. Good for you. Good luck on your field test.

 

[turkey]

I used to use that hot melt for tiptops too. I started using that CA gel - building out some arrows recently - I really like that it stays where you put it.

Glad you saved the Rocky Mt!

 

[afishinado]

The reason for using the hot melt glue on a tiptop is the tiptop can be removed by applying heat and replaced if it gets damaged or grooved. CA is permanent and the tip of the rod would have to be cut to change out the tiptop.

 

[rrt]

Yes, I actually hope the new tip stays on. Not the way a real rod specialist would do it!

 

[poopdeck]

Way to go, nice job! If it falls off again at least you will be able to fix it again.

 

[Drifly]

Super glue or CA glue can be removed with heat also. It really doesn’t take much you can usually just use a hair dryer on high to loosen it up.