I just finished a 9' 7 wgt .on an all american elite series blank. It's an excellent blank and produced
a terrific casting machine !

Unfortunately these blanks are no longer available ,(at least as far as I know).

I'm considering a 8'9' or 9' 4 or 5 wgt for my next project.. I've read that Dan Craft produces a very nice and good performing blank I'm thinking about the five rivers series .

I'd like to hear some experinces and opinions on these blanks. And what's this "exploded ferrule about?

Thanks for your help!

Just do a search here and you'll turn up dozens and dozens of opinions on those very blanks.


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

Mudhole still has Am Tack Elites as far as I know and their website shows them. Dan's blanks are awesome, haven't ever done business with him that I didn't feel that I always got the best end of the deal.

Dave,

I've got two Dan Craft fast taper blanks, a four piece 3wt and the four piece 8wt...

finished building the 3wt a couple of months ago. Here is the building progress in images...


[www.mind.net]


I'm no judge on fly blanks only just began fly casting this year.

but i must say this little 3 wt is FUN!

these particular blanks are a bargain in my opinion...

I went the distance and put rather expensive fuji single foot SIC guides on the 3 wt and do not regret it one bit.

plan on doing the same with the 8 wt this fall when i complete construction just in time for some winter steelhead fishing...

cheers!

tws

I bought Dan's 8'6" FT 3wt with intent to fish it with a four weight double taper (mostly with dry flies) and am enjoying the rod a lot. It's filling the slot that I built it for. While reviving a recently landed trout my fishing partner took my FT out into the current to cast to a rising trout. After a few casts he turned and said "This rod casts effortlessly". He's right, with a flick of the wrist the line shoots forward.

Just received the 9'0" FT 4wt with intent to build and fish as a five weight.

I have no experience with Dan's other blanks.

Jeff Shafer

Marc and Jeff,

Where did you end up placing the guides? I am just getting ready to build this rod (FT 8'6" 3wt 4 pc) and am looking for a starting point for static placement testing.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Andrew Toynbee

Dave-- sent you an email.

Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]

Andrew,
I sent you an email with Dan's recommendations, and the placements I used to accommodate the ferrules.

Jeff

Andrew,

I recall using the St. Croix guide spacing for light fly rods…
a total of nine guides not counting the tiptop.

8'6"

4.875-10.375-17.375-25.125-33.125-41.625-50.875-60.875-71.875

seems to be perfect.

btw, I'm using a WF and DT number 4 flyline on this blank... got a good deal on a #4 reel with several sets of fly line.

good luck with your project.

tws