The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Lower ring needs replacing and is it possible to straighten Scottie rods out a bit?
Suggestions of well established repairers in Wales please

Hi Joe,
There was a recent discussion regarding Scottie rings. I ended up chatting to Steve Wooley who advised not replacing the bells on my Avon, but cleaning them up as replacement meant compromising originality of the unique Sharpe's impregnated finish.
In respect of straightening set in a Scottie, I very successfully took out a a slight droop in mine. However, I am happy playing around with cane in front of the stove, and it's not necessarily for the faint hearted! Practice on something old, and read the many posts on here regarding set beforehand. Someone more learned may know about the material used to impregnate the rod, and the effects heat may have on it, but I didn't have a problem.
Regards Cat

If the butt ring is chipped, cracked or rusty and you can't use the rod, there's no harm in replacing it. Just don't varnish the cane! Unless it's a very bad set, which is unusual for a Sharpes rod, I would leave it alone.