Has any builder, built a Hexograph Fly Rod? I understand Hexograph Fly Rod Co., purchased, the patterns and process from Walton Powell about 12 years ago. Back in the late 70's or early 80's I had seen one. I have been told that the action is the closest to a bamboo rod they have come up with using to days technology
Good Wraps Bob

Bob. I built out a 2/3 weight in the 7' 3" length. Neat rod, similar to bamboo but more powerful. Used ceramic guides all the way. I have a old Sage SPL that I think feels more like bamboo though. Don

Hi Bob, I built one some time ago. It is an 8'6", 3pce, 5/6 weight. I build and fish a lot of different styles of flyrod from lots of different manufacturers and enjoy them all, but if you like something with the more deliberate casting stroke of bamboo, with tons of power, then they are excellent. My blank is what they call a 'Natural'; the graphite has a semi-gloss dark green finish, whereas their more expensive blanks look more like bamboo. You can also choose 2, or 3 piece and between Nickel Silver and chromed brass ferrules. Finish aside, the blanks perform identically and you can also choose between a moderate and faster (tip) action. Mine is the latter.
Yes, the blanks are much heavier than tubular graphite, but as with any good flyrod, build them properly balanced and they will cast all day without being tiring, or feeling tip heavy. I built up a burl cork handle to add swing weight and used one of Robert Venneri's downlocking nickel silver seats for the same reason. That way the rod balances with the modern light reels I use on all of my other rods.
For me, the forte of the Hexagraph is being able to lift a given length of line smoothly off the water and place the fly back down with supreme accuracy and minimal effort. It is a great dry fly rod for that reason and will handle a wider range of line weights than most graphite rods. For example, mine feels good at any distance with lines ranging from 5 to 7 weight. They also appear to be extremely robust - I've played 15 - 20 pound Salmon on mine (in a private lake) and really gave the fish some stick without any fear of breakage.
Would I build another one? Absolutely! I'd like to build a 7 foot stream rod in a two piece in the near future. It will roll cast beautifully and when the breeze gets up, I know I'll be able to step up a line weight or two without trauma. On the other hand, I'm still going to build and love my Five Rivers', Gattis, St Croixs and Diamondbacks, because I like the variety and challenge of using completely different styles of rod! E-mail me if you go ahead and get one, because I have a few ideas, especially when it comes to wrapping the ferrules. Jim

Don, Jim: Thank you both for the insight on what to expect and and how prceed with the desiging of this blank
Good Wraps Bob

If you want to fish something that feels like bamboo,,,, why not buy bamboo????
You can get good AMERICAN made blanks and finish them out the way you wish, and you got the real thing..

Tight lines ~ ~ ~