Hello everybody I was wondering if you could help me out. I cast a Winston IIX last week and I fell in love with it. All my 3wt and up rods (Dancraft) are much faster then the IIX and I want to build a slower 5 wt to fish with for awhile. My question is this. The place I shop does not carry Winston but they do carry Sage. Is there a blank comparable to the IIX in the Sage line? My first thought was an SLT but I haven’t cast one in a 5wt yet. I have an SLT in a 1wt but I don’t think I can judge what a 5 would be like based on the way a 1wt casts. What other blanks are in the same feel category as the IIX if any? Those who have cast both an SLT and an IIX, which did you like best. I realize my casting style and preference will determine which blank I want but I really would appreciate your opinion.

I would check Bob Hesser's CCS data page and see if those are listed. Check the AA figures to see if they are similar. This would not guarantee the same "feel" but it would guarantee the same action.

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The SLT blanks fish much like the SPLs did. The Dan Craft new FTL blanks may be close to what Your looking at.

As the saying goes, "if you like a Sage, buy a Sage"; the same is true for Winstons. If you like IIX, find a place that sells it, don't limit yourself to what your regular retailer carries. Just my 2 cents.

I think Angler's workshop carries Winston Blanks...not sure if they carry the Boron IIX??

Angler's also carries Sage, Thomas & Thomas, G Loomis, Lamiglas, Rainshadow, St Croix. They are also fly rod builders and users.

Tom I looked at the site but the Winston is not on there. I did see where my Dancraft sigV was not really a 5, but more of a six according to the numbers. I loaded it with 6wt line I can tell a big diff loading the rod.

Hi Mike,
Angler Workshop does carry the blank you are looking for, go here: [www.anglersworkshop.com]

Lynn
Santa Rosa, CA