replacement splice on fishing rod

Question
I purchased a Abu Garcia SVR XX1 Salomon fly 14 feet rod about 15 years ago. Unfortunately this year after moving house i have mislaid the middle splice. I have tried my hardest on the internet to find a replacement but couldnt. Would be grateful if you could help me to find one as i love to fish this rod.

Thank-you
Terry


Answer
Hi Terry,

This always a tough problem.  Given the rapid rate of change and development in the industry it seems that some of the rod blanks I bought early this year but haven't built out yet are already obsolete.  Of course, that's not true, they are still good rod blanks, but out of style.  All too often out of style means out of production, especially for replacement parts.

I would think your best bet would be to:

1.  find a used rod of the same size and model (flea markets, yard sales, auctions)
2.  find an unused blank of the same size and model (rare after 15 years but it happens)
3.  find a rod section with similar dimensions to use as a stand-in (rare indeed)
4.  go back to the old house and look harder, tear apart all the packing boxes (futile)

Have you tried any of the online discussion boards?  Fiberglassflyrods.com has a very good discussion forum and it seems that there is always someone on there who knows where the last pink and purple striped ultra light blank is being hoarded away.  There are other such groups and that might be a good venue for you to try next.  Just post a question and ask if anyone has one or knows where one can be found.  Search for vintage rod discussions or fiberglass fly rod discussion forums and see what you get.  I am one of the sponsors of www.rodbuilding.org which is a forum for rod builders...post a question out there and see what you get for responses.

It might be possible to contact a company like Lamiglas or St Croix and ask if they could build you a replacement section as a special project if you supplied the dimensions or even sent them the remaining portions of the rod.  This is unusual, but I suspect they have the expertise to do it.  I would imagine it would not be cheap, but it might be affordable to restore the rod.

Failing that, some of the new spey blanks are surprisingly affordable and very nice fishing tools.

Good luck.  If I hear of one, I'll let you know.

Joe