Hey Rod Builders.....

[Bluefish60657]

Question for the group:
Can you convert a 2 pc fly rod into a 4pc?

I have a couple of 2pc rods that I find myself not using b/c I travel a lot b/c I can't stand checking bags with any airline.

When I travel I usually bring my 8wt, 4pc but would like to have a little more backbone and thought maybe I could make use of an existing 9wt, 2pc I own.

Is is practical or even probable to believe a 4 pc conversion should be done? I'm guessing no (for various reasons: cost prohibitive, performance prohibitive, etc.)

Just curious to see if anyone has thought or tried to resolve a situation like this w/o having to buy a new rod.

thanks,
Bluefish

[Slappy]

I don't think that you would want to do this.

I have put metal ferrules in a rod, but multipiece rods are designed and built as multipiece rods.

Your best bet would be to sell the rods and buy new ones.

[seatrout]

You absolutely don't want to cut those rods ... what Slappy said - sell them and buy 4 piece rods designed to function as 4 pc.

[Chuckster]

Ditto... your blanks are missing the additional fabric taper for the ferrules that is considered before putting the material onto the mandrill.

Don't cut 'em unless you want some really expensive tomato stakes.

[lemaymiami]

I actually built my first fly rod back in the era of fiberglass, just before graphite blanks became available. I was taught to use short pieces of solid glass blanks to form the ferrules. The end result was never very satisfactory.... Take the advice, sell them if they're not needed (or give them to someone just starting out, if you've got grandkids or nephews), then buy what you want. The state of the art is so advanced now, there's just no reason to do anything else.

[Slappy]

Don't cut 'em unless you want some really expensive tomato stakes.

There are 2 other options to tomato stakes:
1. use the tips for ice fishing rods (works great!)
2. epoxy grit to them and use them as reamers for reaming cork and EVA grips.
:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Onshore]

I agree with everyone else. I used to build a lot of rods from fly to surf type but even when I was doing it a lot I wouldn't try what your looking for. Sell them, trade them and buy new.