Skeet, I think that is your best bet. I got a call from a guy I am mentoring yesterday. I told him to take the eyes off his rod and do it the way he thinks it will work best. Your not out much in terms of price, you get to learn how to strip old rods, and you get to learn what possibly works and doesn't.

Sage has been the best company I have worked with hands down. I do wish they would come back with their 2 piece 10 and 12ft blanks but, I also understand that their market is fly rods these days and they do a heck of a job at it.