I would like to build my first 1wt rod for fishing for grayling.
Dan Craft has two 1wt blanks in his Signature III line, the 6'10'' and the 7'. I searched the board but I'm still not shure how they compare in casting and fishing.
Can anybody help?
Any ideas for a matching light reel seat?
Thanks.
Stefan

I have no personal experiance with the to yet im going to build the 6 ft 10 for myself soon i hope i just have to finish up my other projects.i recently read someting some where that the 6 ft 10 was a faster rod and the 7 ft rod was more of a softer rod more noodle like it was desribed as may be call dan-craft that seems to be the going advice....

Stephan,
I got a SigIII 908-5F a while back from Dan but have not wrapped it yet. However, I was just playing around
with it last night and commented to myself what a "sweeeet rod this is going to be"! If Dan's Sig III's are this
nice I would love to get my hands on an FT!!
Several of the sponsors of the left have on-line catalogs to browse through so finding a seat that suites you
budget and perferances should be no problem. Take a look!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I have built both the DC SigIII 6'10" 1wt, 3pc and the 7' 1wt, 6pc. The 6'10" is stiffer when waggled. It is rated as a true 1wt, though I use a 2wt line on it. I can cast in short and out to 30' no problem. Handles in the wind a little better. The 7' 1wt, 6pc is softer and can delicately lay a small trico with no problem. The 6pc configuration is nice for traveling/hiking. I have caught some nice 12" rainbows with it and some brookies. The 6'10" 1wt, 3pc is still a decent travel rod and it performs better in the wind. I enjoy using both of the rods. If you need a little more punch, go with the DC Sig III 6'10" 1wt, 3pc.

Stefan, are you refering to the 2 piece 7 foot? I just got one in, but have only built the 3 piece.

First, thanks for your reply.
Don, I mean the 7' 2pc. or the 6'10', 3pc.. I found some threads about the 6'10'' but not so much about the 7', 2pc.
For me it will be the first time I build, cast or fish anything lighter than a 4wt.
Stefan

I have the 7 foot blank, but have not built it. I would recommend that you use single foot REC recoil guides with a single foot ceramic stripper. 10-4-3-2-1-1-1-1 etc. to the tip. Put the #3 on the female ferrule. Consider an all cork seat and grip as this is a very light blank. Use a 2.2 oz. Forbes magnesium from Overstock.com or a Bass Pro ultralight classic. Rio PW1F from Sierra Trading. I am predicting that we will both love this blank. The 6'10" is quite a powerhouse. I am guessing that this one will be a bit more delicate.

Don,
I never used the Recoils. Up to now I'm very pleased with the Forecast single foot snakes. Are there any advantages with the recoils?
What overall cork real seat would you recommend? ... Struble, REC? The Struble D2 seems to be a bit bulky?
Do you think a Struble U25 is too much for SIGIII 1wts? Struble tells it to be a small seat for 1-3wt rods.
And ... let me when have finished the 7'.
Stefan

Stefan, I like the recoils because of the thinner wire and very light weight. More noticeable in the double foot, even the single foot guides bend a bit, and you don't want to dampen this blank. I find wood inserts in any configuration are too heavy for this blank. You might get a cap and ring set from Cortland. The nickel silver version is a little heavy, but will work. The aluminum is lighter. Jann's makes a sliding ring set with cork seat and grip which some like. I prefer a cap and ring seat with a separate downsized grip, or using a cork seat with two winding checks as rings. I cannot overemphazise how light this blank is. It will be way butt heavy unless you are careful. My 6'10" uses a Kork-a-lon foam grip with a real seat turned down in the foam on a lathe and a 2.2 oz reel and just balances.

I just ordered my 6'10" from Dan the other day. He helped me pick out some appropriate parts to finish the rod that he had on hand. I figure who knows the rod better? As far as the reel goes I am having some difficulty choosing. I think when I have the money I will settle on the Sage 3000. The magnesium Forbes reel looks tempting, but how well will it hold up? I went with Orvis Wonderline, but I have heard good things about rio. I guess when you have less than 5 feet of line out and maybe a 9 ft leader what difference is it going to make? I bought this blank to fish for brookies in extremely close range.