A new project here for an inlaw, I know I know foolish move. He wants a fairly fast or at least a true moderate fast 3 wt. rod about 8' in length. He's cheap, I do hope he doesn't find this forum. We've considered a Pac Bay Rainforest 7' 9" 2 piece 3 wt and an AmTac Matrix 8' 3wt. Has anybody had any experience building either of these blanks? His main emphasis is that it's not a wet noodle. One last question, what's the difference between knotty cork grips and bamboo burl? Hey as always thank you for your insight.

Another "inexpensive" alternative that I really like as a mod/fast is the Forecast (Batson RX6) 7' 9" 3wt. imo, a sweet spot in the RX6 line-up.

Matrix 7'9" 3 weight is a bit whippy, wouldn't be surprised if the 8' is the same.

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

i wrapped the pac bay rainforest 7'-9" 3 wt, 2pc fly blank last year and it is VERY whippy BUT i used single foot ceramics throughout. i intend to rewrap with single foot wire guides someday and see if that makes a diff. i think the recovery action is being adversely affected by the current guides. or at least i hope that's the case.

the moderate/mod/fast/fast action terms are all subjective of course but i would venture to say the tiger eye blanks are a slightly faster action than the forecast/RX6/rainforest blanks in that line/rod weight. they're my latest favorite in "low-cost" blanks right now, especially nice in the blanks rated 3/4 weight at 8 foot or shorter.

knotty burl cork = ugly
bamboo burl cork from Pac Bay= very nice
(just kidding)

eric
fresno, ca.

Rob,
My vote goes to the Matrix. I make a lot of them...


Good Wrappin !
David A. Fuller,
Great Basin Fishing Rods
Full-Time RV'r Traveling- n- Fishing
www.mytripjournal.com/FullersBigAdventure

I have built the 7'9" 3wt, 2pc Matrix and it is a medium action rod (it is a little whippy). I have also built the Hook/Hackle 7'9" 3wt, 2pc (charcoal) and it reminds me of a Loomis GL3 blank. It has a much faster action than the Matrix for about the same price.

Russ

Eric - I just finished 2 Tiger Eye 8' 4/5 (I rate it a 5). I agree that they are faster than RX6. I didn't CC them so it's a subjective opinion on my part. I did like the blank's action for this length and line wt. It was the first time with the color, which I really liked as well. The only "problem" was curves in the tip on both. But, not so bad that I was disappointed with the final rods. I will use other lengths/line wts (probably <5) in the future. But, I just really like the way the RX6 7' 9" performs for me on small streams. imo, it's a great roll caster - it even makes me look reasonably compotent.

cool steve. i think it's been mentioned before those slight curves or a little case of the wiggles , often seen on the tip section, is kind of normal. i have seen two forecast RX6 blanks with them, and in my experience, with none of the tiger eyes. just lucky i guess. :-)

eric
fresno, ca.