Finally got to cast this rod in some calm weather this weekend. I had it lined with a DT3-F Wonderline. It CC's at 2.67/62. The rod felt very responsive, light, and crisp. I cast it with 10-40 feet of line outside the tip top and it handles it really well. I have it built with a small cigar grip and cork and double aluminum slide rings for the reel seat (handle kit Jann's Netcraft sells), single foot chrome wire guides (size 0) and thin finish of Permagloss on wraps (3 coats). Finished rod weighs 1.92 oz. It's a beautiful little small stream rod that should be lots of fun with small to medium trout and panfish. Interestingly, it has about the identical power and action of a 1979 Orvis Superfine "Trout" 8' 6wt. that I recently had in my shop for a repair. I will probably play around with this rod and 4,5, and 6wt. lines just to see how it feels. Don't worry, Dan, if I blow it up with a 6wt. line, I won't be bothering you about the warranty. I'm sure it will handle it fine, at least as well as the Orvis rod which has been handling a 6wt. line for almost 30 years.

Anyway, since it's a new series, I thought I'd post my impressions of it. Get 'em while they're hot!

Steve: I have two of Dan's 7-piece FDC rods and no one believes me that they cast so well - until they try it themselves. Great information on some great blanks. Thanks for all the work.

Aaron Harp

I'm excited about the FTLs. I think they suit my type of fishing and personal preference well. I prefer blanks that allow a good feel at close distances and are not overly powerful. I can throw a lot of different lines 60' with not that much power in the rod. Not because I'm a great caster, just because I don't mind adjusting my timing to a slower casting rhythm and really letting the rod do the work for me. These blanks aren't as powerful as the 7pc. models or the Sig. Vs and much less powerful than the FTs. I never got the chance to CC any Sig. IVs so I don't know how they compare. But, I look at it this way. If I have 40' of line in the air plus a leader plus the length of the rod, then the fly is landing approximately 56' away from my feet. On the streams I fish, I can say for a fact, I haven't hooked a fish in the last 5 years that was farther away than that. Even with my 7wt. on big rivers, I prefer to wade or paddle a little closer before I cast and get a better hookset.

Dan offers plenty of high power rods and I'm happy to see this series of rods geared more toward the fisherman that doesn't prefer lots of power. I admire the design, engineering, and utility of all of his series of rods. But, I think these suit me best of all among his different series.

i just picked up the 6 piece 803 version of the FTL blank yesterday after quickly test casting the five piece version. i'm really looking forward to this rod...

eric
fresno, ca.

I have the 905 6 pc on order....will build it as a fund raising @#$%& rod. But I'm sure I'll manage to test throw it in the yard :)

I'm anxious to build it...and give it a try.

I expect it to only be terrific....

Keith