Fly Rod Doctor Lou

Our Work: Restoring Broken Fly Rods and Building Custom Classics

Welcome to the portfolio of Broken Fly Rod, where each repair and custom build tells a story. Whether it’s a broken fly rod that’s been sitting in the closet for years, a rod passed down through generations, or a brand-new build made just for your next adventure, we approach every project with expert care and craftsmanship.

This page showcases some of our favorite work—from full restorations to custom fly rods designed for anglers across the country. Each photo you see here represents a rod that was repaired, rebuilt, or created by hand with purpose and passion.

Fly rod craftsman using a hand plane to shape bamboo strips at a rod-building workbench, surrounded by precision tools and rod components.
Fly rod repair expert holding a fully rebuilt fly fishing rod with a new cork handle in a workshop filled with rod-building tools and materials.
Fly rod repair expert using a micrometer to measure a bamboo strip at a rod-building workbench filled with tools, shavings, and fly rod components.
Experienced fly rod repair craftsman holding restored bamboo fly rods in his workshop, surrounded by rod-building equipment and tools.

Broken Fly Rods

Before and After: Broken Fly Rod Repair

There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a broken fly rod brought back to life. Maybe a guide was crushed, the tip snapped, or the blank cracked after years of use. Whatever the damage, we’ve helped customers get their rods back in the water—and often better than ever.

Our portfolio includes:

  • Repaired graphite rods with splintered tips

  • Guide replacements and realignments

  • Handle and reel seat rebuilds

  • Full re-wraps and epoxy refinishing

  • Broken ferrule replacements and joint repairs

Many of these rods come to us with sentimental value—a first rod, a gift, a legacy piece. And while the rod may be broken, the memories behind it don’t have to end there.

Side-by-side comparison of a damaged bamboo fly rod and the same rod fully restored with new guide wraps, polished ferrules, and refinished blank.
Broken bamboo fly rod section with a visible split near a guide wrap, marked by a red pin and measured against a yellow ruler.
Close-up of a broken fly fishing rod ferrule with multiple splits, shown next to a metal ruler for scale.
A broken tip section of a bamboo fly rod showing splintered ends and a detached tip-top guide, displayed on a light stone background.
A disassembled fly rod reel seat with worn cork and aluminum hardware laid out on a wooden workbench labeled “Reel Seat.”
Four vintage fly rod sections laid out on a green felt surface, showing heavy wear, oxidation, and cracked guide wraps.
In-progress repair of a fly fishing rod handle secured in a workshop vise, surrounded by rod-building tools.

Repaired Fly Rods

A freshly restored fly rod with two tip sections, a clean cork grip, polished nickel silver reel seat, and wrapped guides, displayed on green felt.
A selection of repaired fly rods including bamboo and graphite builds, with cork handles and a fly reel, neatly arranged on a textured work surface.
A lineup of restored bamboo and graphite fly rods with cork handles, custom guide wraps, and ferrule work displayed on a textured mat.
Three restored fly rod sections laid out on a green felt surface, showing fresh guide wraps, clean finish, and fully aligned ferrules.
Close-up of two bamboo fly rod sections with clean guide wraps and polished nickel silver ferrules, displayed on a green felt surface.
Fully reassembled fly fishing rod with a repaired cork grip and matching brown blank sections laid out on a black surface.
Two bamboo fly rod sections with polished nickel silver ferrules and custom green and red guide wraps, laid out on a green canvas backdrop.

Custom Fly Rod Builds

Sometimes, the perfect rod doesn’t exist—so we build it. Our custom fly rod builds are as unique as the anglers who fish them. Whether you need a lightweight dry fly rod for mountain streams or a powerful streamer setup for western rivers, we tailor every build to your style, preferences, and favorite waters.

We offer:

  • Blank selection and consultation
  • Decorative wraps and inlays
  • Custom reel seats and grip shaping
  • Personalized inscriptions
  • Collaboration throughout the process

Custom work is more than aesthetics—it’s about performance, feel, and connection to your gear.


Why Our Work Stands Out

We’ve worked on fly rods from major manufacturers and vintage one-offs, from high-end bamboo builds to entry-level rods that hold more meaning than money could ever buy. Whether it’s a clean wrap job or a structural repair to a broken fly rod, we believe in doing the work right the first time.

Everything is handcrafted here in the Pisgah National Forest District, inspired by the rivers we fish and the anglers we serve. Our process is always personal, and our standards are always high.


See the Difference

Take a look through our gallery of broken fly rod repairs and custom builds. You’ll find before-and-after shots, detailed wrap work, and one-of-a-kind restorations. Every photo represents someone who trusted us with something important—and we’re proud to show the results.

If you have a broken fly rod of your own, don’t let it sit unused. We’re here to bring it back to life, and it all starts with a simple conversation.

Ready to start your own project? Contact us here for a free repair quote or custom build consultation.


Hear From Other Anglers

Want to know what others are saying about their experience with us? Check out our reviews on Google. From fast turnarounds to heirloom-quality restorations, we’re proud of the feedback we receive from our clients.


Your Broken Fly Rod Deserves a Second Chance

We know how it feels to break a trusted rod—and how rewarding it is to fish with it again after it’s been repaired. Whether it’s cosmetic, structural, or fully custom, we’re ready to help.

Don’t replace a rod that can be rebuilt. Trust Broken Fly Rod to restore your broken fly rod with care, precision, and heart.

Let us know how we can help. Your next cast is closer than you think.

Get Your FREE Estimate
Detailed image of a mayfly perched on a branch, showcasing its transparent wings, long tail filaments, and segmented body—important to fly fishing ecosystems.
A detailed close-up of a mayfly resting on the surface of blue-green water, often mimicked by fly fishing lures.
A mayfly with transparent veined wings and long tail filaments perched on a green blade of grass—an iconic insect in the fly fishing world.