Guys-

I just ordered up a 2pc Forecast and 2pc Rainshadow 2Wt fly rod with components from Bob at Hook and Hackle. I was hoping those who have constructed these rods could comment on the feel, maybe the differences between the two blanks as far as feel and action, and how they liked and disliked them... Thanks!

Here are my plans for the each finished product:

Gray Matte RS 2Wt
All Chrome Hardware, guides, hkeeper, wcheck.
Lite Maple Reel Seat Insert.
Thin Single Foot Wire Guides.
Uplocking Reel Seat, Inletted Reverse HalfWells Grip

ForeCast Blue 2Wt
All Chrome Hardware as above
Double Foot Thin Wire Guides
Uplocking All Aluminum Reel Seat, Inletted Reverse Half Wells Grip

I have a 3/4Wt, 5PC, Tiger Eye that I made up for my last trip to the Mountain streams of WVA for native brook and bows, but I felt like the rod may have been a little two much. A heavy weight is 14"...many in the 8-10" range. I think the 2Wt will be the ticket. What do you think.

Domenic,

I don't know the forecast, but I have the rainshadow. IT's a sweet little blank. For fishing 30' give it a 3 wt line. For fishing 10' casts give it a 4 or 3. It will be just the right size for the fish you're talking. I've landed trout to 20" with mine, but 12-14 is more realistic.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick-

That's great! I was planning on using 3Wt 555 line on it. You told me what I wanted to hear.

Thanks,
Domenic

I have the H&H matte grey 662-2 IM6 which I believe is the same as the RS IF662-M. Mine CC's at 3.27/64. I also just got the Forecast F662-4pc. and it CC's at 2.67/60. So, what Rick says about the RS sounds dead on and expect the Forecast to be more of a 2/3 wt. assuming your 2pc. is like my 4pc. but that is probably a bad assumption to make. Anyway, fun projects that don't cost much money.

Steve,

I didn't realize that Forecast made the 6'6" 2 wt in a 4 pc. That has to break down pretty tiny (bout 20"). I will have to build one just for that reason.

Thanks,
Rick

Yeah, pretty neat. Of course it's hard to scrape together the $15 to buy one. Deals like this are not exactly helping with the addiction. Sort of like nickle draft.

Steve

Domenic I have tried that line I am thinking you are talking about the Cortland 555. I found it to be stiff, and went back to the 444 Laser line. Maybe you will like it

Bill thanks for the suggestion.

Also Steve- Please give me the address on where I can purchase the 4 PC you speak of at that cost. I might hold off the construction to get me one of those!!!

Thanks,
Domenic

Got mine from Hook and Hackle Company. They have a special on Forecast blanks ordered via their website. It's a new model. If it isn't listed yet, then E-mail Bob about it and he'll set you up.

You'll love both those blanks. BTW, I would try the single foot wire guides on both those blanks to keep them as light as possible. I would also use a single foot ceramic fly guide, maybe a size 10, for a stripper and a ceramic tip top to match.

This would give you the best of all worlds as far as light weight and performance.

Nonetheless, the components you chose are excellent, and either way you cut it, you'll have 2 very sweet rods. I concur on using either WF3 or DT3 lines on these rods for the close in work.

Have fun.

Lou

You could not pay me enough to fish a 555 on a 2/3 weight. I have fished them on higher weight rods (6+) and liked them for a long-casting application. Even when stored on a 4" diameter large arbor, they still have incredibly bad memory. I cannot imagine the coils you would get fishing in cold weather on a 2.5" or 2.75" reel.

If you are going to stick with Cortland, their Clear Creek tapers are being clearanced and are a heck of a spring creek line...

I don't plan on fishing the line I chose in weather under 60 degrees F. So cold weather applications isn't an issue for me. I will make sure that I pull that line out and lay it outstretched to elimate the possibility of memory that you describe prior to fishing it again this year.

I found the 555 held pig tails when coming off the reel. Unless it has been changed? But for me the 444 lazer line was softer. Can not remember but check with what Tom Kirkman uses. Think it is Scientific Angler