Restoration project: South Bend Model 3150 8'6" Fiberglass Fly Rod

[NOVABrewer]

Hello! Like the title implies, I recently picked up a vintage, well-used fly rod at a local antique shop for a decent price. I'm interested in restoring it to fishable condition. I'd like to preserve as much of the original components as possible, but will certainly make concessions for the conveniences of more modern rods.

She cleaned up nicely, but I'm curious about how to work with the reel seat. It's a pocket down-locking mechanism. From the attached picture, you can see that the pocket hoods have oxidized/rusted, while the locking ring remains fairly bright. The metal insert is a nice deep red, almost magenta color that matches some other colored highlights on the rod (the wrapping thread on the guides, the South Bend decal, etc.)

It would be easy enough to replace the whole thing with something like this pocket down-locking set from Proof Fly Fishing, but I really like the current color of the insert. This would be my first restoration project, and I'm having a hard time finding sources for separate pocket hoods and tutorials on how to replace only those pieces specifically.

Any advice or guidance from old hands here?

 

[Bamboozle]

I am the furthest thing from an expert, but having a few rods with that style seat makes me believe that it is relatively easy to remove the butt cap with heat or some other method.

Once you have the cap and band off, if they are not cracked, I would clean them up and electroplate with nickel which is a VERY easy process. After that, polish them and apply a clear coat to keep them looking new.

IF you don't get an "old hand" to chime in here and want an expert's ideas, if you aren't already a member, register on Fiberglass Flyrodders and go to the Rod Building and Tackle Tinkering forum and post your questions & photos there.

Good luck!

 

[NOVABrewer]

Great thoughts, @Bamboozle. Much appreciated!

I did register on Fiberglass Flyrodders, waiting for approval to post over there.

I’ve heard of using a heat gun or boiling in water to removed butt pocket hoods like this, and I think I even found a down-locking “skeleton” set just to replace those pieces. I suppose I’m curious now about how I’d affix a new butt pocket hood or reattach the newly-electroplated current hood. Marine adhesive, perhaps?