I am looking to build a new fly rod and was wondering if anybody has ever tried the Rain Shadow fly rod blanks? If so are they a good rod? If anyone has any info. on the blanks could you please give me some information on them. also what color are they?
Thank you
Tyler

Rx8+ - satin black
RX7+- chestnut gloss brown
RX7- olive green or matt clear
RX6 dark gloss blue
Spey blanks- dark gloss blue
All the ones I've tried or built have been fine rods, the 10 ft RX7 blanks have been very popular with steelhead fisherman. Just pick the action you perfer. You'll be pleased both with their performance, value and service to the customer.

Hi Tyler! As a Rainshadow distributor, I guess it figures that I'd put in a good word for them--I will...they're incredible blanks and an excellent value. But as a fellow rodbuilder, I'll tell you they're some of the best I've built on. I've said a number of times on this board that the new RX8+ blanks are simply superlative--they are one of if not the finest performance blanks on the market under any label at any price point. I feel that strongly about them. If they're a little rich for you, the RX7+ are also outstanding all-round fishing sticks, as are the even more affordable RX7's. We have a number of the RX7's in stock here in Calgary (noticed your a fellow Canuck), but like all Rainshadow dealers we're stuck anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new RX7+ and RX8+ blanks--hopefully later this month.

The RX7 is available in a beautiful dark green and a satin-like "Matte Clear".

The RX7+ is/will be a stunning rich "Chestnut Brown" in a high-gloss finish.

The RX8+ is/will be a satin black finish.

If you're familiar with the Common Cents System, click the link at the top left for the "CCS Data Site" to view a number of test results on the RX7's. The RX7+ CC's out with a very tight (accurate) ERN and AA's in the high 60's, the RX8+ the same on the ERN front but is an "ultra-fast" blank in terms of action angle, usually coming in in the low- to mid-70's.

Drop us a line if you feel like picking our brains a bit! :)

All the best,

My only experience with them was with past years domestically made blanks. They were outstanding and an excellent value. My 7'6" 3wt is still my favorite trout rod. I look forward to trying one of the new ones to see how they stack up.

Mark

Mark Janeck
Custom Rods, Campbellville, Ontario

Mark
You will be pleasantly surprised by the new blank line-up. I haven't tried their fly rod blanks yet but I can vouch for their surf rod blanks as being every bit as good as their Cascade series - and will rival any blank out there for cost/performance.

I've built several fly rods in a variety of lengths and weights on the old series RX7s. They have been one on my favorites for performance & price for mod fast action rods. Based on my experience with Batson products, I'm sure that if they have a blank that matches your desired specifications, you will be pleased with its quality.