Believe it or not I found it !! It was stuck in the case even after I put the bottom section all the way in the case hopeing to catch it on a guide. I put the cap on and tapped on the ground hopeing it would fall out but it didn't. I put my fingers in the case as far as I could, nothing. I did all of these things a number of times still nothing. A couple of days later I tried one last time I put the bottom section in and I heard a click darn if it didn't pull it out. Talk about relief.
In reply to Mikastorm, never fished in Mercer Co. that I can remember of. I've fished a lot of places in Pa. mostly Potter, Elk,Cameron, Clinton, Erie and Center.
There will be days when fishing is better than ones optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.
**Roderick Haig-Brown