I have an oooold Connecast butt Ugly Stik here (pic too for those who have never seen them... )

Attachment 20642

The 'rod' is 7' long, but the blank is only 5'6" as the handle part makes up another 18". I want to rebuild the rod but impart a modern 'flavour' to it in doing so.

What I was considering doing is turning a new ferrule from aluminium or nylon, that will be epoxied to the blank. A 18" long piece of alloy tube will then have cork rings and a reel seat attached, the ID being a match to the ferrule on the butt. Over the cork will be shrink wrap.

I also have similar ideas for a 3' piece of graphite offcut I have to make a short jigging rod.

Can anyone offer any thoughts as to why this wouldn't work, and if not then alternatives?

Ben