I'm going to build a spey rod and I have a couple questions. This is a 12' 6" Forecast blank, four pieces. Would it be safe to assume that all four pieces are the same length? The customer service individual was not able to answer that question. The kit comes equipped with a double foot stripping guide size 20 for the first guide. Does this seem a bit large? Also, any help on guide spacing would be appreciated. I've never built one this long! Thank you.

Hey Brendan,

Just finished one of these for a Trout Unlimited @#$%& Fundraiser.

Yes, all 4 pieces are the same length (mine was the 7/8 12'6" model). The blank is a midnight blue color. Very attractive.

I also used a size 20 double foot guide for the first stripper and a #16 for the second. I then stepped down to SF ceramic fly guides in the following sizes:

2 X BZFT 10
2 X BZFT 8
4 X BZFT 7

I used an extra large loop tip top as most spey line users tend to the multi-tip lines and the sections don't often go through the ceramic tip tops as well unless you use an unusually large ring size. This just looked odd to me as I had to step up to the heavier duty tip top to get the larger ring size. Tip weight on a spey rod should be insignificant. All guides were AMTAK TiCh finish with blue inserts. It was very sharp and along with the feather inlay and alternating burl/regular cork handle got a nice price for the donation.

I was beating feet to meet the deadline so I didn't record my guide spacings for the record (bad form. Don't get into this habit). However, I do remember that there were 5 guides on the tip section, 3 on the next section and 2 on the 3rd section. No guides on the butt section. Foregrip was 14" with an ASPEY reel seat from Anglers workshop and a 5" rear grip.

Hope all of this helps.

Terry

i just recieved one of those blanks also , the same as Terry . All 4 pieces are the same on the one I have too. I am going to test with a #16 first , and change if there is somthing wrong with the line path . JHD

Got Fish ?

I'm dying to try one of these blanks out and would love to hear some feedback on the performance of any of them once built.

As I said above, I just finished the 7/8 spey. It cast well, felt great, although I haven't really fished it.

However, I just ordered 3 more. I plan to build one for myself and have orders for 2 others from the banquet @#$%& I mentioned earlier. They are very, very nice and the prices are really tough to beat. Looks like another win for the Batson team.

Terry