Congrats on the successful repair. It makes the rod even more his and more special.
My older daughter did something similar with 4-1/2' Airex solid glass and 1937 Luxor half-bail.
She took it under her wing as her own creek fishing combo.
She got very good at fishing without anti-reverse - all on her own.
She could hold the rod and reel handle in one hand, and handle the fish with the other.
Big gaspergou are a hoot.
I've caught 8- and 10-lb'ers on fly rod bottom-bouncing in the cove at my sister's (former) ********* lake house.
My younger daughter with her stringer of catfish and white bass caught off the dock. .