Is there a way to add weight to the butt of the rod, to balance it out?  

BPS sells a rod balancer butt cap with 3 weights so you can fine tune the balance.  Its not the screw in model for their in house rods.  Its a simple fit over butt cap.  I found it in the section with the pliers, gloves, reel oil and extra rod guides.  It worked for me.

Here is a method that was not to hard and worked really well for me.

http://www.rod-crafting.com/articles/balancing.html)

It really seemed to help make the rod with reel feel much lighter even though it actually weighed a bit more

Vic

Before you permanently glue weight into the end of the rod blank, you might want to try fishing with a rod balanced in this fasion. I have one rod I stopped using. I used Reel Mechanics method to  glue the weights in place. When finished, the rod was perfectly balanced with the reel mounted, and grasped in my palm. I though to myself, self, this is going to be sweet. It was until I actually fished with it. I did not like it at all. I eventually gave it away.

So, try it first; see if you like it. You can get one the BPS kits that includes flat weights and a rubber cap that slides over the butt of the rod, or you can just use tape. If you don't like it, you're not out much, and it's easy to remove.

If you decide you like it, then RM's method is the way to go. If you're careful, there will be no evidence that anything's been done. I did it with no problems on the first try.

The slip on cap with weights from BPS is not a good thing to leave on your rod. It makes the rod longer and fatter, and the rubber just grabs every loose bit of clothing that gets close. It's a real pain in the membrane. But it's a cheap and easy way to try out a rod weighted for balance.

Good luck,

GK