Replacing parts on my Sage 6wt

[Seth]

I took a rod building class about 6 or 7 years ago and we got a Sage 9ft 6wt blank donated for using. Well I didn't do a very good job and now my reel seat is really loose and my fly reel is always turning.

What I would like to do is remove the western style cork grip and the reel seat and install a full wells grip and a new reel seat with a fighting butt. I want to turn this into a good streamer rod.

Are there any sources or tips that you show me as to how I go about replacing these components? Like do I need to remove all the rod guids to do this?

I love the rod and how well it shoots line so I would like to get it back into good working condition again.

[Gavin]

It can be done. It sounds like the reel seat is already loose so try pulling it off so you can reuse it. Chunk the cork off the blank with a set of vise grips. Youll have to remove the guides on the butt section to install the new grip. To remove them, cut the epoxy over the top of the guide foot with a razor blade, then pop the guide off, whats left of the wraps should peel off. If it sounds like more than you are willing to take on, talk to Tom at Hargrove's fly shop in St. Louis. His custom rods and repair work are top notch. His prices are reasonable too. Cheers.

[AKflyfisher]

Place your reel seat in very hot water for a couple minutes, that will loosen it up and your seat and will come off. then you just have to cut the cork off sand and reinstall a new grip and reglue a seat. Its not that hard I just did it lask week on my xp.

Oh But if you have a 2pc rod it is going to be alittle harder you will have to remove the guides on the but section then rewrap them

Check out http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/ there is alot of good info to check out

[Seth]

I was able to pull the grip off without using any how water. If I wanted to just glue it back on, do I need to clean blank and the inside of the reel seat first? I want to reuse the old handle now if I can.