Has anyone fished these rods? If so, how do they compare to a Sage or Loomis? I’m considering building another 7wt fly rod but am too frugal to dump $250.00 for a blank. The Rainshadow rods I just finished I thought were “OK”, but not as nice a feel as the Loomis. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Keith

Try this [www.rodbuilding.org]

Very good quality blanks but the line ratings are all over the place. If you can get the ERN rating for the model you're looking at - by all means do so. You'll find that for any given line weight rating in their line you may be looking at an ERN span of from 3 to 5 whole numbers. This is because their rods are designed for use at widely varying distances, even though they may carry the same line weight rating.

I like their blanks. Other fly fishermen I know think they feel "clubby." I suppose it comes down to what you like, but I will say that I can't really compare their feel as being similar to anything made by Sage or Loomis. They're a bit of a different animal.

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Keith,
The Angler's Workshop Salt Stalker and Stream Stalker blanks are GUSA. A good way to get an possible in stock supply, and at a little better price. I've used a 9 ft 6 in 6 wt for a brush popping, rock climbing, close combat summer steelhead rod. Very durable blanks, casts great, very versatile with different type lines. and a beautiful green. They are different animal as Tom noted.
The Dan Craft Sig V blanks sound like a place for you to start if you like the feel of the Loomis & Sage. My 10 ft 7 weight is a joy to fish and as light as anything I've fished out there, but like all the light/performance blanks a little more tender.

What they said. Please read the archives; Graphite USA has been discussed a number of times in the past. My 904DH (with a 5 wt or 6 wt line) has a "moderate" to "moderate-fast" recovery speed, something like Loomis GL3. It is not a fast whipper-snapper like a GLX. It all depends on what kind of "feel" you want, whether you'll like a Graphite USA or not. For the record, mine does not feel "clubby" to me. In the past, I've heard them compared to broomsticks; that probably came from some of the "unique" line ratings they have. If I used a 4 wt line on my 904DH, I think I'd call it a broomstick as well.

I wish they'd get their line weight ratings in order; they very well could increase sales if they did.

HAs anyone contacted them regarding their line ratings? If not I will do so tomorrow.

I have been told by Mudbay that GUSA no longer manufactures fly rod blanks. Wonder why?