Would you expect a warranty replacement if you ran over it with your truck? I think Lifetime Warranty refers to a manufacturing or a material defect. I wouldn't have replaced it either.
The rods I built with Whisker Seeker Tackle have the standard one year warranty against manufacturer defects which comes with most fishing rods and an additional warranty we call the "Trophy Tuff Warranty".
The Trophy Tuff warranty picks up where the manufacturer defects leave off and is meant exactly for situations like the one he's described. break the rod or damage it for any reason at all, doesn't matter how and during that two year Trophy Tuff warranty period you can get a replacement rod for 50% of retail, no questions asked.
From the website:
It covers your mistakes for a period of two years. Theyll swap your rod out for 50% of retail no questions asked for a period of two years.*
Manufacturers defects are 100% covered during the first year, all you pay is shipping and handling.
*Product registration and proof of purchase required. Warranty limited to original owner only.
You can view all of the details here:
http://whiskerseeker.com/trophy-tuff/Humanseine
I sent you a PM.