Hi,
I'm still toying with the idea of having someone (i.e. Chapman in the UK) build me a quadrate bamboo fly rod blank - a 7 foot 2 piece 4 wt.
However I'm having trouble deciding whether to have it hollowbuild or not.

What advantages and disadvantages (apart from being lighter) does the hollow blank offer and what about the strength of the blank ? Is it worth the extra cost ?

The blank would be impregnated.

Thanks
Peter

First off ask him whether or not he hollow builds his rods all the way to the tip. If not, dont waste your money. If a cane rod is not hollow built to the tip the only benefit is weight reduction and thats it. The first hollow built rods were designed for the olden days csting competitions. If i remember right the rods needed to be of a certain weight to be legaly used in the competition. Also when a cane rod is hollow built it tends to stiffen up morenear the tip (obviously) resulting in a more crisp faster actioned rod. You can gun out some serious line with a fast actioned hollow built rod so if your fishingbig water it might be worth it. As far as strength goes, if he's a good builder and good at the hollow building process it should and will be every bit as strong as a closed (not hollow built) rod
Hope this helps,
Kyle

Also ask him about the PMQ... (poor mans quad) If he can or will make you one. It is basically a hollow build only a different process.

Tight lines & smokin' drags.....

Art

Most of the power/stiffness comes from the outer fibers, so that left on the inside is just extra weight along for the ride. Removing the center costs you almost nothing in power but reduces the weight, the result being a more responsive and efficient rod. By all means, go for the hollow construction if you're after more performance and if the builder is adept at this type construction.

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

I'll remember to ask how they do it - thanks for your help :-)

Peter