Think i've made my mind up on buying an FT904-4 from Dancraft but just thought i'd run my plans by you all to see if you think it'll look OK. Was thinking of using the following:

FT904-4 blank
Struble U-20 reel seat with cocobolo insert
Nickel silver winding check
AT Titan fly guides and tip top
#257 rust guide wraps (maybe with silver trim bands)

Does this sound OK to you? I'd rather not spend all the cash, put it all together to find I dont like it!!

Not a big fan of metal winding checks, make sure it's good and loose on the rod and bring it down slowly into place or it can bind and/or scratch your blank, I glue the check to the grip than bring the thread and finish up and over it a little. I think I'd spring for the Fuji Ti/SiC tip. All the rest looks like what I'd use.

make sure the reel seat insert is big enough for that FT or at least room to open it up a bit. i think that blank's butt diameter may be surprisingly large.

eric
fresno, ca.

From Mudhole the reel seat has a stated I.D of .420" and the blanks butt diameter is .405" Is this going to be too tight? I'm actually having second thoughts aboutt the FT and am considering the Sig V in a 9ft 5wt. Will be fishing for trout here in the UK on small to medium stillwaters casting weighted nymphs, large dries, and some small lures size 10-12. the rod may be also used for grayling in the winter using the czech nymphing technique (Is this the same as high-sticking across the pond!). Can anyone provide me with some info that may help me make my mind up. I like the reviews i've read on the Sig V and think it may be a bit more 'fishable' compared to the FT which may be a bit more 'castable'!

from my own experience test casting at a rod bash, the FT makes a very nice "castable" rod on a "lawn." you're right on that point, but i also think it's a nice fishable rod from what i've heard. you could search the archives and find someone who has built one and see what they say. i'd say the Sig V, at least in the 8'-4"/4wt size is nice on both counts too, i have one and can testify from personal experience on both aspects, although i have somewhat limited experience in casting and fishing various rods and this IS my first season fishing my Sig V. i might venture to say the FT uses newer design developments. call dan craft and see what he says. very personable guy.

from my struble catalog, the U-20 uplocking reel seat comes in a standard 0.360 I.D. diameter, with 0.420 available "on request" so make sure you request that. sounds like you might have to ream it out just a hair.

eric
fresno, ca.