Hello,

I’ve just joined this group and it looks fantastic! I’ve got a question I hope you can help with. I’ve built a couple of fly rods in my life (A fiberglass one in the late 70’s, and a Graphite 4wt/4 piece from no-name blanks in ‘98). I’d like to build a 9’ 5-6wt/4 piece for this spring, but I have a budget of about $100 - $125 USD (+- 20%) to spend on the blanks. I’m an intermediate-advanced caster and will be working a range of lakes and small to large rivers. I’m thinking a medium-fast to fast action would fit well, but I’m open to suggestions. Light weight would be nice, but not a necessity. Are there any good blanks with these specs in this price range? I’ve looked on the web for side-by-side reviews, but have had little luck finding anything comprehensive, but if anyone knows of some links (or topics on this board) I’d love to review them.

Thanks for your help in advance, and great job with this board!

Cheers,
Ed Cicka

Ed andy at lamar has some and dan craft does also couple of good options for ya..............great prices

No review for you but the Dan Craft SigV is a great mod-fast to fast 9'0" 5/6wt...

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

Ed,
When you mentioned a 9’, 5-6 weight rod I immediately thought of Dan Craft's FT blank. Talk to Dan directly about how this blank will handle a five weight, and also a six weight line. To me the CCS ratings on these blanks are not indicative of their line casting ability. The ratings would seem to indicate that they won’t cast their designated line well - too powerful. But my experience with the 863-4 demonstrated that the rod handles a three weight DT just fine, but I fish the rod most with a four weight DT. My expectation with the 904-4 I will be building later this winter are that I should be able to fish a four weight when I want, but also fish a five weight line with the FT.

As I said above, talk to Dan about your fishing plans with this rod, and whether he thinks the rod will cast a five and a six weight under the conditions you plan to fish.

Jeff Shafer

Jeff,

In fact, the CCS ratings indicate that they will cast their rated lines well. You have to consider the IP along with the AA. Being able to interpret the data is important to make the most of the system.


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Jeff,

In fact, the CCS ratings indicate that they (Dan Craft FT) will cast their rated lines well. You have to consider the IP in combination with the AA. Being able to interpret the data is important to make the most of the system. A rod showing an ERN of say, 6, coupled with an AA of around 55 is going to be an entirely different animal than one with the same ERN of 6 but coupled with an AA of 70. They will not be comfortable with the same lines at the same distances.

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