Have been missing the second section (from the reel seat side) from a 4pc 5wt rod for at least two years. Recently got my car back from the ex and found the section sitting in a little dip in the rear back deck under the back glass. Other than in a fire, can't imagine a worse place for a rod to be stored! The UV rays have gotten to the wrap epoxy and that is now yellowed and chipping off in big chunks on one of the guides and the other is just slightly cracked.
It's not a very expensive rod, but I'd like to save it anyway without too much expense or time. It was my first "real" fly rod other than old fiberglass hand me downs. Bass Pro White River Classic.
Was thinking that on the eye with the exposed wraps that I could let some super glue soak the wraps and then use Sally Hansens Hard as Nails to top coat. Would the super glue be too brittle? Should I just skip that step and use Sally's?
I guess the bigger question is the integrity of the carbon in the rod itself after sitting under the back glass for so long. It looks fine. I haven't loaded it up yet with line, but did a pretty violent wiggle test and everything seems ok. The carbon is not coated or finished out. Just bare blank.
Thanks guys.