I want to build a 4 piece 7' 6" or 7' 9" 3wt fly rod and am looking for blank recommendations. Most of the casting would be with less than 30' of dual taper line. . . . indicating an ERN of around 3.25 (I think!!!) The only blank that I seem to be able to find that meets these requirements is the St. Croix SCIV 7' 9". I've had great luck with SCIV's in the past, but I would prefer a less expensive blank. Any recommendations from you pro's?

Thanks,
Chris

See Dan Craft on the left side of this page!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Might look at the Forecast F764-5 blank I think the one I built CCd around 3.4 if I remember right. Sure threw my 3 wt lines as good or better than my 3 wt Sage does.

I just built the same on a "Tiger Eye" 3/4 wt blank I bought on @#$%&, not expensive at all. It has a very nice action, and on the first day fishing it I caught four fish 16 to 22 inches, and it performed terrifically. I haven't tried a 3 wt line, but I did notice the same as a 2/3 wt offered for @#$%&. I'd buy another if I needed it.

Chris,

Continue to gather CCS data on any blanks under consideration. I have found that with light line rods, especially where you’re going to cast short distances, you want a rod that isn’t too powerful for the job. A couple of years ago I bought two different 7’9” three weight blanks, both of which I had CCS data for. Both rods CC’d in the mid 4’s. Both rods fail to cast a three weight double taper at the short distances I planned to use the rods for, and under tight canopies. The errors made were completely mine, as I knew the CCS ratings on both blanks and still chose to build them hoping to cast three weight double taper fly lines.

I do use the rods today under the conditions explained above, but must use a double taper four weight line for the rods to function properly.

It sounds like you have already determined that trusting the CCS system and targeting a CCS rating is a good idea. Good luck with your rod.

Jeff Shafer

The St Croix SCIV I think will be too fast. I would go for a more moderate action blank. More in the mid to high 2's for a 3 WT.
The tiger eye Translucent redish brown is a nice flex tip, kind of like the Fenwick Rainshadow/Forecast are also nice. Rainshadow's are think a translucent green.

I agree with Jeff. I just built a fast 3wt and I use a 5 wt dt line for 30ft casts under low hanging trees. It feels like the rod cannot energize a lighter line in places where you cannot backcast easily. In big water and open spaces the fast 3wt is excellent.. I think your best bet is a Forecast blank they load nicely in tight places...Bob.

Hi Chris, I recommend Five Rivers (Dan Craft), Forecast and Tiger Eye. I think Dan still carries a five peice, 7 1/2 foot 3 weight. I think this rod is a "magic wand". Hve fun! Michael:-)

Hi Chris, I recommend Five Rivers (Dan Craft), Forecast and Tiger Eye. I think Dan still carries a five peice, 7 1/2 foot 3 weight. This rod is a "magic wand". Hve fun! Michael:-)

If you're going to be consistently casting less than 30 feet of line (have less than 30 feet of line past the tip) you'll want an ERN lower than 3.25. Look for 2.5 to 3 max.

A nice fast action rod works great. Best 3 weight rod I've ever owned was an older Amtak with an AA of 74. They no longer make it. Wish they did - I'd buy a couple more just for back ups.

...........

We have a 7'0" 5pc 2wt that would probably fill the bill. The blank Michael mentioned is the FRSIV76235. It is a 7'6" 5pc 2/3wt but may be a little parabolic for the job.


Dan Craft
Dan Craft Enterprises

Chris said he wants to build a 4 piece 7' 6" or 7' 9" 3wt fly rod and many of you have suggested Forecast. I would like to build a similar rod and looked at Forecast's offering and all they offer is a 2 piece 3 wgt.. Tiger Eye is the only company I've found who offers 3 wgts in more than two pieces.

I contacted Batson directly and they said they'll give some thought to a 3 or 4 piece, but none is available for now.

Thank you all for your comments. It seems my dilema is somewhat more complicated than I had hoped for. I will likely settle for a two piece rod as there seems to be more options available. I will keep an eye out for future offerings from Batson that might provide the exact blank that I am looking for. The rod that I am hoping to build seems to be one that many others would like, but the "right" blank has yet to be identified.

Thanks again,
Chris