I'm new to the board, but have browsed for a while, and enjoyed the high level of discussion.Every year for the past 25 I've built a few rods from blanks, in my amateurish way, in the never-ending quest for that "perfect" rod. Thankfully I've yet to find it. Currently I'm looking to build an 8'9" to 9' 3, 4,or 5-piece rod to fish trout out west in Alberta or Yellowstone country. I'm looking for the usual: a light-in-the-hand, medium-fast action rod with that elusive "feel". Dan Craft offers two rods that might fit the bill: an 8'9" 3-piece SIG.V,
and a 9' 5-piece SIG.IV. I recently built his 8'9" SIG.V 6-weight; it casts like a cannon, and fits my needs for a streamer smallmouth rod perfectly, though you might want to overline it fishing close. I've talked to Dan a few times. He seems like a fine man, a straight shooter, and as expected he talks about his product with enthusiasm. However, since I can't "try before I buy", I'd appreciate user feedback. Anyone fish either of these rods? What did you think? Any other blank suggestions for a light, versatile 4-weight? Thanks in advance for the feedback, Mel

Dan Craft's blanks are top notch. I have a Signature III 2 piece 8 ft - 2 wt , a FT 4 piece 9 ft - 5 wt, a 4 piece 10 ft - 10 wt and just received a FT 4 piece 10 ft - 3 wt. I am very pleased with the ones I have completed. IMHO the Dan Craft blanks are some of the best available and Dan is a great person to deal with, you won't go wrong with another of his blanks.

Bob

May I ask where can I buy "on-line" Dan Craft blanks? I see almost every day a post talking about all the wonders of these blanks compare to the "fair price".

Thanks!

Dan Craft is a sponsor of this site. On the left is a link to his site, Dan Craft Ent., where you will find his email address and also download his catalog. You can order from Dan by email or phone.

Bob



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2005 06:29PM by Bob Crook.

I'm currently finishing up 2 of Dans rods , and I must say they are the nicest blanks for the money I've seen yet . If they perform as good as they feel and look , I'll be building a lot more of them for myself and others. From what I hear they should . JD

Got Fish ?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/29/2005 08:38PM by John Dow.

I have the Sig. V 8' 9" 4 wt. and it is my favorite trout rod. Does everything well, replaced my 9 ft. IMX 4 wt.(the 2 piece), which is a great rod, for almost all my trout fishing. Regardless of price, this is one of the nicest rods I have ever cast, IMHO.

I have the 8ft9 4wt SIG V as well as several other SIG V's(including the 9ft 5wt).They are without a doubt some of the nicest and lightest rods I have ever cast(and I have A LOT of mid to high end rods to compare them to).For their price tag,they simply can't be beat as far as a high performance medium fast to fast action,fast recovery,ultra light weight blank goes.

The 8ft9 4wt is definitely on the powerful side as far as 4wts go and some may prefer a 5wt line on it for close to mid range distances,but it is a very versatile rod.I use mine with a heavier model 4wt line,like the SA GPX or RIO Grand most of the time when fishing lakes or large rivers.It's a great 4wt for longer casts,throwing indicator rigs,sinking lines,big dries and streamers,etc.Out to 50ft or so,I prefer it a bit more with a 5wt line(I usually use a Airflow 7000 as far as floaters go) and it makes an exceptional 5wt(as does the 9ft 5wt SIG V of course,which is very similar to the 4wt only a tad more powerful and prefers 5 or 6wts lines).It will do everything most good 5wts will do,only it's much lighter in the hand(one of the lightest 8ft9-9ft rods I've fished) and more enjoyable to fish over the day.

I HIGHLY recommend this rod as a mid to long range 4wt,or as a fantastic all around,wonderfully light in the hand 5wt.If you are looking for something delicate for fishing a 4wt line at closer distances for smaller fish though,it "may" be a tad more rod than you are looking for and the SIG IV could be a better fit.I think the SIG IV CC'd a point or so lower than the SIG V in the 9ft or so 4wts(check the CCS chart ),which would make it a bit less powerful and better suited to closer range with a 4wt line.







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2005 03:42AM by Tony Dowson.