I am looking to go to Alaska in August to fish for silver salmon. I now need to add a couple of 8 wts to my collection. My wife just shakes her head when she thinks of all the rods I have after only 6 months in the hobby. :)

I checked with the fly shop I frequent (Porneuf River Outfitters in Pocatello, ID). He is recommending the new St. Croix Avids. We priced what it would cost to build one and it was only about $25 less than buying the rod already built ($250). I am trying to keep the rod at ~$150.

So, what I am looking for is an 8wt blank, medium fast action, made in the USA, $100 or less, lifetime warranty, and one I can order through my fly shop. Does such a blank exist that is worth buying? Roger at PRO has been extremely helpful (he has let me borrow his second pair of breathable waders for several months until mine arrive) so I try to give him my business.

Went fishing yesterday on the Bear River near Grace, Idaho. Upper 30's, partly cloudy. Caught 7 (about twice as many bites) with a copper john in about 2.5 hours until the fishing really slowed down. Fun day. The biggest surprise was a very fat 14" Brown (the rest were 12-13" Rainbows). I was using a 2 wt I made a few months ago. Lots of fun catching a fish like that on a 2 wt. I hadn't heard of Browns being in that area but was happy to see one.

Matt

What do you mean by a "lifetime" warranty. A guarantee against breakage (no fault warranty) or a guarantee against actual defects?

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I meant a no fault warranty. I realize I am asking for a lot, but I didn't know if a blank was available. I realize I could go through Cabelas and get something that would fit this, except that I couldn't order it locally, which is important to me.

Matt

You haven't mentioned what else your fly shop has access to companywise. That would help. The low end St Croix travel blank fits your needs.

I don't think many blanks come with a no-fault warranty. And since those warranties add quite a bit to the price of the blank or rod, it may be even harder to find one, if it exists, in a lower priced blank.

Somebody here may know of one and I'm sure they'll chime in shortly.

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He can get St. Croix., Redington, and Thomas and Thomas.

I really like the St. Croix product.

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Try the rainshadow RX7, they are about half the price of the St. Croix SCIII blank and I believe just as good a blank. I have two rods built on these blanks and I realy like them.

Joe