I' ll do this again and maybe get it right. I am looking for a 5wt 4 piece blank for smallmouth. I will be fishing the Androscoggin which is a fairly large river. I would like a fast action that doesn't break the bank.

Thanks
Tom Church

Sure you don't want something a little heavier to toss Clousers and such? A 5wt seems pretty light for smallmouth sized flies. Most folks I know look more to a 6 or a 7wt (my weight of choice). The usual suspects on the sponsor list can fill your needs...browse around.

2 cents,

Tim

Tim is right if you are going to toss heaver flys. Try doing a search of this board for suggestings.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2005 08:07AM by bill boettcher.

Actually the fly of choice for the folks I will be fishing with is a Sneaky Pete. Not a real heavy fly.

Tom

I use a 5-weight for all my smallmouth fishing. It's a good choice and makes even the 1- and 12 inches fun. I also use an 8 and half foot rod rather than a 9, but that's personal preference. Dan Craft has a nice 9 5-weight in 4 piece design. I also have a Forecast model in the same specs that Bill Batson got for me in Charlotte this past year. It's a little heavier and slower reacting than the Dan Craft, but these two also fall into different price categories as well. Either will work nicely depending on how much you want to spend. Either will cast even a large Sneaky Pete with authority.


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

Tom: the Rainshadow RX7 (not the "plus", though that's a wonderful blank) is a great choice for bass, IMO, and is very reasonably priced. It's an IM6 blank that's plenty strong and has a fish-all-day moderate-fast action. Lots of model options as well.

If you do look at the Dan Craft blanks, the FT in FOUR weight would probably be my choice as it casts a 5wt or 6wt line beautifully and has enough reserve power to handle the biggest bass in the water...and then some. Great blank at a great price. We'd be happy to put together a quote for you on either of these or anything else you have in mind.

All the best,

Tom, Which Dan Craft and Batson blank are you referring too?

Tom