Don't look at it as a fail, look at it as a chance to get really creative. At this point i'd say go nuts with it. Chop the heck out of it. Paint it, practice pinstripping, whatever. I've attached some inspiration that looks pretty close to what you've got going on for fender-rails
I agree, i just gave up on it for the time being. The wheels are always turning in my head on how to make things work. I would be that before too long you'll all see that fender on my ride.