Fly rod handle

Question
Howdy Rich,
I have agreed to try to install a spey-style lower grip on an existing 9 foot 5 weight rod to help a friend with bad arthritis in her hands (she tried a switch rod of mine and it greatly reduced her pain).  Do you have any ideas on such a retro-fit?  I'm either stripping the lower rod-section and starting over or trying to add-on a lower handle (which I'd prefer to do).
Thanks,
Tom

Answer
Tom
This is what I would do;
Ask your fiend it they want a 10 or 11 ft Spey .
When done this rod will be slower
Find a piece of unused graphite 2-3 ft long and is the same O.D. (outside diameter ) as the I.D. of your friend's rod - SO you have 1-2 feet sticking out of the rods butt section.
Then I would add a fighting butt up to 4-5inches  and more rings on the upper original coek handle - I made mine 12 inches here.
I would use 2 part epoxy or gorilla glue to cement the 2 pieces together.

I think you can fins this piece of graphite in my collection or Mud Hole, rod building:
http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Blanks
Buy a blank - call them and tell then what you want - they will try - or:

2. Janns Netcraft call (800) 346-6590 http://jannsnetcraft.com/
3. Shoff tackle http://www.shofftackle.com/ 214 West Meeker Street , Kent, Washington U.S.A. 98032 253-852-4760 Fax 253-850-8757
4. Anglers Workshop 360.225.9445 - www.anglersworkshop.com
5. Clemens Custom Tackle - 444 Schantz Road Allentown, PA 18104 Voice: (610) 395-5119 http://209.239.62.129/clemens.htm
6. Hook & Hackle Company - http://www.hookhack.com/ - 7 Kaycee Loop Road, Plattsburgh NY 12901 phone: 1-800-552-8342 (has bamboo blanks, 2-2011)
7. Custom Tackle Supply http://www.customtackle.com 931-684-6164

If you don't get this,  email me your phone and we can talk
Mac
[email protected]

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