I am going to Maine in Sept. to fish for smallies on the Androscoggin and would like input on a blank. I would like a fast action and not have to take out a loan for it.

Thanks
Tom

Tom,
Look down the page a little to Andy Dear's post. He's selling a bunch of discontinued Allstar blanks at incredibly low prices. Give Andy a call and if he has a good smallie blank you'll be doing yourself a big favor. Andy is great to do business with.
My next suggestion would be a St. Croix SCIII blank. My smallie client likes the 6'6" length.
Good Luck,
Dave

Try the Rainshadow ISJ 782 or ISJ 783 both have a good fast action and a strong butt section. If you want to spend more money move up to the SC3 6'6" M spinning blank by St.Croix. Any of these blanks are good and fish really nice for multiple presentations.

Dan Grulke

Sorry guys, I forgot to say that I am looking for a fly rod blank in a 5wt.

Tom

Tom, my favorite moderately priced smallie fly rod that I have built (and I've built a bunch) is a Loomis GL3 8'6" 5 wt. It is pretty fast and handles a 5 or 6 wt line well in case your wooly buggers and clousers are size 6 and larger. Unless your casting technique is really excellent, when you start throwing those larger weighted flies, a six weight line really makes the day go easier, especially if you have much wind. Many of my smallie buddies won't throw anything less than a seven weight for that reason.