Rod companies have tightened up a bit on their "here'e a new one, no questions asked" of years ago. Loomis now charges $100 for a replacement (no questions asked  ;D ). But that is not to say that the competition between companies does put some pressure on them to try and make you happy.

As for Cabelas I would be down there in a heartbeat. It's not like you slammed the rod into your car door or something.........Very nice pic BTW, nice marking on the fish.

Speaking of return policies >REI has a no questions asked on gear return if you are unsatisfied for any reason. That can lead to quite a bit of abuse. I gave my pal and his kid a MSR Taj 3 man tent for a Quetico trip with repeated instructions to check the fly for leaks as I had not used it in close to a decade. After the night from hell in which the tent leaked like a sieve he returned it to REI recounting his disaster. They gave him full credit for another tent. Crazytown!

Maui Jim sunglasses will put new lenses into your glasses for $60 after their 2 year warranty has expired. Keep them in to much heat for to long and they will delaminate  :'( .