Can anyone explain the proporties of a fly rod blank as compaired to spinning/casting blanks?
I was taught years ago the only differance between a flyrod blank and spinning blanks was the
action. Is it common to build say, a 7wt. flyrod using a med/hvy 8-17lb casting/spinning blank or
vise/versa? I know some builders use flyrod blanks to make some awsome spinning rods but I
haven't heard of the reverse. What am missing? Thanks,

I've not found fly blanks to be especially great spinning rods. Have built many into steelhead spinning or casting rods that have to travel small. A 7 wt blank is more in the light or med light weight class in say steelhead/salmon drift rods. Rogue has made a very nice drift rod however on one of their 9 wt blanks. Fly rods to me don't seem as precise in their presentation, especially when your fishing around structure in or above the water, something you have to pick apart much like a bass fisherman. If your on open water where you only have to be able "to hit the water" with the presentation they do fine. Spin/cast blanks are faster and have much more backbone usually, they are also heavier but carry their weight much closer to my hands,casting more from the tip I think helps me make more precise presentations. An exception may be the new Dan Craft FT blanks, the 9 ft blanks appear to be very fast, able to handle lots of weight and are reported to be very durable.

The action does not necessarily differ between the two, but you will rarely find any fly rod blank that has an action as fast as many popular spinning rods.

I have used back-bouncing blanks to make very heavy fly rods - 15 to 17 weight type rods. Many years ago, before what we now consider to be fast action fly rod blanks were available, I used spinning blanks for all my fly rods. But generally for fly rods, most builders stick to fly rod blanks. Today's selection on both ends, pretty much negates the need to use one for the other.

................

Thanks Spencer & Tom,
Hey Tom, have you been able to talk to Dale about the cherywood pistolgrip handle
I have aquired?

He hasn't come around, yet. But I suspect I'll see him sometime over the summer.

...........

Thanks again Tom