Hello,

I'm looking for a low cost fast action fly rod blank in 9' 4wt or 5wt. I'd like something with a faster action than the Rainshadow Rx7's and possibly a little lighter. Of the two a faster action would be preferred. The Cabela's IM7 blanks have caught my eye as being one possibility, are there any others? How are the Matrix blanks?

Thanks,
Kevin

what is your definition of low cost? under $80US? under $100US? i'd check into dan craft's signature V banks.

eric
fresno, ca.

Forecast are the cheapest Fast action blanks that I know of. hook and hackle has em.

Take a look on the CCS data site. If you can find a Forecast blank with the action angle you desire, they're pretty inexpensive and awfully good values for what you get. Try to find something with an AA of more than 62.

..............

forecast (batson Enterprises' RX6) are some of the cheapest (low cost) fly blanks out there but personally i wouldn't call them fast action particularly in the lighter line, under 9 foot lengths, despite the fact that hook and hackle describes them as "fast" if i remember correctly. i say this only because you might be disappointed if really looking for a fast action blank. check the CC charts to find something comparable to your RX7 benchmark.

eric
fresno, ca.

If you are looking for fast action the Dan Craft FT series 9' blanks are among the fastest at a reasonble price.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

I just finished a forecast 9' 6wt and it is not a fast rod. I did not want a fast rod and thats why I ordered it. The rx7 is a much faster blank. You should take your time on this one, to get the blank you want. Tom

stan suggests the dan craft FT. interesting blank line, i like what i've cast. i LOVE my Sig Vs though. andi do like building rods for buddies with the RX6 blanks. be aware though... i wouldn't call the FT blank a "light" blank, one of your prerequisites. i wrapped a 9 foot 4 pc 4 wt FT for a buddy and its heft made me think it was a 6 or 7 weight. the blank's diameter is HUGE compared to every other 4 weight i've wrapped upon. if $70-$100 a blank is still too high for you, check into the tiger eye blank lineup.

eric
fresno, ca.

Temple Fork Outfitters TiCR. AA will be in the 70's. Not sure about the weight compared to RX7 and the TiCR ERN will likely be greater for equivalent manufacturer suggested line weight compared to the RX7

I have not built on the blank, only test casted factory versions in the local shop so I can't vouch for the quality of the blank program.

Inexpensive and Fast action are definitely subjective terms but I would agree with the others that the Forecast and even the Tiger Eye are inexepensive but they are not "fast action" in my opinion. They are both definitely heavier than the RX 7 line. The Cabela's IM 7 rods are similar to the RX7 in my opinion. I have to agree with the others that the Dan Craft sig V would be the ticket for a faster action blank.

The only problem is Dan doesn't have the Sig V lower weight blanks in his lineup any longer. 6 wt and up is all. 7 & 8 wt in 10 ft, and the 9 & 10 wt 9 ft. Just tried to get some.

Spencer, are you saying that the Sig V is no longer available in the 8' 9" 4 wt? That was a really nice 4/5 wt in my opinion. Hopefully they're not gone for good.

I already have a few Forecast's and I agree with the majority, they are not what I would call fast action. Actually, I'm looking to build a rod that will take the place of the Forecast 9' 4wt I have right now as this rod doesn't quite suite my needs. As for price I'm looking for something similar in price to the Rainshadow Rx7's, but anything under $75 would be preffered since this will not be my go-to rod. A light blank would be nice but anything similar in weight to the Rain Shadow, or even the old Pac Bay Traditions would be acceptable.

Thanks,

Kev

P.s I will check out the ccs info, I might even test some of my current rods under the system so that I can get a reference point.

i'm really no expert here even though i've weighed in a couple of times in this thread already but it's nice to see some validity to my musings. my therapist will be pleased at its effect on me ;-)

that's interesting about the Sig V lineup. Hmmm. the Sig III lineup has been (kind of) replaced by the new FTL, a lighter line vesion of the FT series. i'm planning on building one of the new FTLs somewhat soon.

eric
fresno, ca.

Rob,
Yes, that's the bad news. That's the blank I tried to order from Dan on the 17th of this month. He says he'll have the blanks I mentioned above.