Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing Rods => Fishing Rods => Topic started by: ClintB on December 08, 2019, 07:23:43 PM

Title: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 08, 2019, 07:23:43 PM
I've had this rod for 43 yrs and I still use it to this day. I had an extremely unusual day fishing, I ended up fighting and landing 2 steelhead in a side pond fed by the Clackamus River. I broke the 2nd line guide but did a temp fix but can not find a replacement guide. My only contact I have wants to replace all the guides with modern guides but I'm not into that.
Does anyone have contacts or info that I can use to get this great little rod back to it's former glory?
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ReelFishingProblems on December 08, 2019, 10:41:56 PM
Clint,

Do you have a picture of the guide type in question?

I grew up in LO, my family is mostly from Oregon City and West Linn.

Nick
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 08, 2019, 11:05:01 PM
I'd like to find somebody that has a guide and can do the replacement.
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: happyhooker on December 09, 2019, 03:17:01 AM
That guide looks like an old Aetna "Foulproof"; they aren't made anymore as far as I know, but you occasionally see them available as NOS.  There is another outfit whose name escapes me that is currently offering a similar-type guide; I will dig up the name if someone checks the online components sellers & can't locate what I'm talking about.

Frank
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: oc1 on December 09, 2019, 04:24:20 AM
I just might have one of those if you tell me the diameter of he ring part of the guide.  No promises.

Come on Clint. It's time you learned to wrap on a guide.   :)

-steve
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 09, 2019, 04:59:26 AM
Quote from: oc1 on December 09, 2019, 04:24:20 AM


Come on Clint. It's time you learned to wrap on a guide.   :)

-steve

LOL! My Dad built a fly rod for me years ago and was going to teach me, I should have taken him up on it while he was still here. I'll get the measurement tomorrow and post it up. Thanks!
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ReelFishingProblems on December 09, 2019, 11:32:41 AM
Clint,

You can easily wrap a new guide.
I would gladly do it for you if I was still local, but I am currently in Tampa getting ready to move to DC in a few weeks.

Nick
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: Swami805 on December 09, 2019, 01:30:03 PM
I have some of those guides, post the size and I'll check
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 09, 2019, 05:07:49 PM
The outside diameter of the ring is 3/4". It stands 1" tall measured from the rod surface. The length is 2 1/4" from foot tip to foot tip as best I can tell. I've been trying to hunt one done locally but no luck.
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: Dominick on December 09, 2019, 09:12:09 PM
Quote from: ClintB on December 09, 2019, 04:59:26 AM
Quote from: oc1 on December 09, 2019, 04:24:20 AM


Come on Clint. It's time you learned to wrap on a guide.   :)

-steve

LOL! My Dad built a fly rod for me years ago and was going to teach me, I should have taken him up on it while he was still here. I'll get the measurement tomorrow and post it up. Thanks!

Clint, check out Kevin's videos on Youtube under the name The Fishing Hobby.  He explains how to wrap a guide on.  He does a good job explaining how to do it.  Easy peezy.  Dominick
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 09, 2019, 09:15:05 PM
I'll definitely check it out. Thanks  Dominick!
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: Midway Tommy on December 09, 2019, 09:47:16 PM
FWIW, Fenwick used Gudebrod NCP #541 medium brown size A for those wraps. You may be able to remove the brown thread & save the trim wraps so you don't have to buy two colors and screw around with them. Gudebrod 541 is easy to find.
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: xjchad on December 09, 2019, 09:59:22 PM
Quote from: Midway Tommy on December 09, 2019, 09:47:16 PM
FWIW, Fenwick used Gudebrod NCP #541 medium brown size A for those wraps.

Seriously.... How do you guys know this stuff!?!?!?  :o
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: Midway Tommy on December 09, 2019, 10:52:14 PM
Quote from: xjchad on December 09, 2019, 09:59:22 PM
Quote from: Midway Tommy on December 09, 2019, 09:47:16 PM
FWIW, Fenwick used Gudebrod NCP #541 medium brown size A for those wraps.

Seriously.... How do you guys know this stuff!?!?!?  :o

I know it because Cabela's, originated right here in my home state, used to sell Fenwick blanks & kits and when you purchased a kit with guides, handle, thread, glue, etc. the thread in the kit was Gudebrod NCP #541 medium brown size A, and, #541 medium brown, for many years, has had an AKA of "Fenwick Brown". Plus, they were owned by Berkley/Pure Fishing right next door in Spirit Lake, IA at one point and a lot of folks have researched re-wrapping Fenwick brown blanks and shared their findings.  :)
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: xjchad on December 09, 2019, 11:01:48 PM
Well thank you for sharing too Tommy!
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: Swami805 on December 10, 2019, 01:30:37 AM
If one of these will work pm me your address. The smaller one they call 5/8" I also have some gudebrod 541 but only in size C   That shade of brown changed a little of the years so it may not match perfectly. Likely have the trim color too
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: Swami805 on December 10, 2019, 01:36:21 AM
Oops
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: Tiddlerbasher on December 10, 2019, 01:47:01 AM
I just luv this site - where else can you find this knowledge - priceless ;D
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 10, 2019, 01:52:14 AM
That smaller one looks like a good fit, PM coming your way.
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: The Fishing Hobby on December 11, 2019, 12:35:03 PM
I may have one too. I save old guides off of rebuilds. I have some that look exactly the same on a couple of the very old Shakespeare Uglystik ultralight rods (so old they also said "Wondered"). Looking at old rods for sale would be another way to possibly find a guide. If the one you get isn't a good match, let me know and I'll check what I have stashed away.
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: The Fishing Hobby on December 11, 2019, 01:12:38 PM
I make and sell a jig for wrapping rod guides on, but if this is a one time repair and rod building/rebuilding isn't something that you are interested in, then a cardboard box jig would work for you. I show how to make a pretty good one here: https://youtu.be/wEC8ktjlYTk
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: The Fishing Hobby on December 11, 2019, 01:14:40 PM
You would want to use varnish instead of epoxy as your wrap finish to more closely match the original work on the rod. I've had good results with Helmsman Spar Urethane.
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 11, 2019, 05:09:22 PM
WOW! That is exactly the info I need. Sheridan has already sent out the guide so it should arrive in a couple of days.

Thanks for the great info TFH!
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: The Fishing Hobby on December 11, 2019, 05:23:13 PM
Quote from: ClintB on December 11, 2019, 05:09:22 PM
WOW! That is exactly the info I need. Sheridan has already sent out the guide so it should arrive in a couple of days.

Thanks for the great info TFH!
Glad to help! Here is a tutorial for wrapping a guide on: https://youtu.be/MV135FdESiY
Title: Re: Fenwick FS 53 broken line guide
Post by: ClintB on December 13, 2020, 08:15:24 PM
It's been almost exactly one year since I posted this, I did finally get it repaired by a local shop! Thanks Sheridan!