Hello all. I was wondering if someone could enlighten me about this company. First, is it true that the owner used to build blanks for Loomis? Second, what should you get in the plastic bag with your Rainshadow blank (e.g. decal)?
I was at a shop and the saleperson was telling me about these blanks but it never hurts to get some other opinions.
thanks, Tom.

I have used several blanks from Batson's and have really liked them. In fact, I just posted a picture of a California Sheephead pattern that I am going to weave on an RX7 SW967 blank. This rod will be for one of my sons that lives in San Diego. The blank came with a decal showing the line and lure weight range. The letters on the decal are done in silver. I know of a couple of fly rod builders here in Texas and that is all they use. I am happy with the Batson blanks that I have used and will contunue to use them without reservations. The SW967 blank is a two piece and is straight as an arrow.

I have built about 30 fly rods for everthing from trout to tarpon using Rainshadow and Forecast blanks from Batson. All my customers are really happy with them. I made two for myself and they're tough to beat. Also if you have any questions Josh and Kerry are very knowledgable and willing to help. They come with a decal on the butt that you can peel off and place up the blank further. This can be a bit tricky to do but it can be done. I seldom use any of the decals prefering to write the info on myself. They also come with a warranty card stapled to the plastic bag.
As far as coming from loomis I believe that is true. But when I've called with questions, never think to ask.

There import blanks are also very good. Not the 2003 ones though, all after that are excellant.

The answers or non answers about Rainshadwo Blanks and the people who make them you got from the "rod salespeerson" should prompt you to ask him one more question, i.e., did he have personal knowledge about the origination of a cane pole? Fine blanks, good people and well done warranty header card.

Gon

Fantastic people who take the time from their busy day to personally answer questions from customers. Emails are many times answered by the CEO. Great blanks, great company, straightshooters in all their business dealings and especially fantastic supporters of the rodbuilding craft.

Had a blanks package bent into a U by UPS (now I know where they got their name from!) and Batson sent out replacements the second I reported it, no questions asked. 100% happy with their stuff, both service and products.

Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]

Thanks for all the replies. I got the answers I need.
Tom.

aNY OF YOU GUYS TRIED THERE new SPIN GUIDES ????

I stripped the single foot snakes from my 11'6" GLX Salmon rod last spring and installed Forecast high frame TiCH frame zirconia coated rings on it. Besides looking awesome, it throws line like a cannon!

I stripped the single foot snakes from my 11'6" GLX Salmon rod last spring and installed Forecast high frame TiCH frame zirconia coated rings on it. Besides looking awesome, it throws line like a cannon!

Just to put your mind at rest Tom, most, if not all the folks at Batson Enterprises are rod builders and fishermen. There is almost always a rod in construction somewhere in the offices every time I get in there. Most of the staff have been doing the rodbuilding and component business for many years.. It's one of the few places that you can ask a question and get a straight answer from someone who actually knows about the building process. Good people.

To answer the question about the decal in the bag... Both of the Rainshadow blanks that I have received had two decal sheets in the bag. The decal has a nice script, silver "Rainshadow", a line weight rating, e.g. 10-20 and a lure weight rating e.g. 3/8oz - 3/4oz

I've built a good many RX7 Rainshadows in the past year, several of which I USE myself, and they are great blanks at a great price......I watched a really nice bass take my son's RX7 COMPLETELY under the boat with him having 3ft of the rod lying on the gunnel!!!!!....I was just waiting for it to snap in 1/2 any second......it didn't....and it was the largest Bass he's ever caught to this day.

DR