A client of mine wants an 11 ft 9 wt fast-action fly rod(!) I haven't been able to find such a blank. Do they exist? If not, does anybody know about the action of Graphite USA's DHX series blanks? They have a 10 ft 9/10 that may satisfy him.

Jim

Check out the Dan Craft FT series, make great rods. I have a FT 10 ft - 10 wt and it is the nicest rod that weight and length I have ever had. I built it as a switch rod and it will cast a 10/11 wt line 80 feet single handed and over 100 feet double handed. I has a lot of power for big fish.

Go to the Dan Craft site in the sponsors list and you can then download his catalog from his website.

I've ordered from Dan before and think his blanks, especially the Signature V, are great. Unfortunately, my client wants an 11 ft rod, which Dan doesn't list in his catalog.

Jim

That's a pretty bizzare size that he's asking for. Is it specifically a switch rod that he wants, or a short spey? CTS International happens to carry the Affinity XF in 11'. I think Andy Dear does carry it. But just as a plug to Dan Craft, if he plans on a single handed rod, I would *HIGHLY* recommend the FT series in 10'.

Just as a side note, I can't even think of how sore my arms would be if I were single handed casting an 11' 9wt rod all day! Is there a special type of fishing that would use this? Since I haven't heard of it, I'll assume ignorance and plead for new knowledge!

-- Cheers
-- James

I have never heard of a switch rod; what is it?

The client is a rod shop owner who has flyfished, both salt and fresh, for many years. He loves my Dan Craft 8'9" 4-wt Signature V for local fishing (northern New Mexico), but specifically wants the above specs. I have suggested the Signature V or FT from Dan, but he is adamant (and still young and strong).

Jim

Gatti makes a 11 ft 9 wt 3 piece in there progressve action rod series model number FR119-3PA. It's spendy though.

Have you talked to Bob Meiser yet? The R.B. Meiser site to the left. Some of the finest blanks on the planet are at his shop. He just may have what you want.

You might ck with Sage. I built a 11', 11wt maybe 4 yrs ago. It was configured into a mooching rod. That blank was a bear to find.

The DHX's are very nice blanks. A friend of mine uses a 12 & 15wt DHX for Bluefin fishing up in Massachusettes, and he loves them. He also uses a Cape Fear 18wt.

I've heard the Abel fly rods were all built on GUSA blanks, not sure if that is a good thing or not, I don't flyfish.

Sorry this was such a long time coming... Here's an explaination of switch casting...

[www.sexyloops.com]

and an example of a switch cast....

[www.sexyloops.com]

Essentially a switch rod is a rod that can be utilized with normal single handed techniques, but can also be used with some spey casts also. I'm just learning about it, as it seems to be the upcoming rage in the Pacific Northwest. But none the less, it really allows folks to fish normally unfishable water due to back cast limitations, etc...

Finally, it really seems that there is a pretty big push to these rods out here. I'm seeing more and more long rods on the rivers around here, and in the salt... :) I've actually seen folks using 6/7/8 weight speys on the Yakima for trout, and definately they seem to be all over the Deschutes Anyone else been seeing this, or am I on crack?

James,
You seen right, the long rods are getting pretty popular. Have even heard of some people taking them to the flats in Florida. Seeing a lot more of the Scandinavian head systems and people custom making their own lines. A lot of innovation being shown here.

Sage used to offer an 11'3" single-hand blank in 8/9, which would fit your customer's need; but I don't know if they are offering it this year. Gatti has one, CTS has one, and I think Talon still makes one.