Hi Folks: I have a question for the Board.

My father fly fishes the South Island of New Zealand every year. He has been using a two piece Sage RPL 9 foot six weight.

He wants to replace that rod with 4 piece rod that he can fit in his bag. He is looking for 4 piece fast-actioned 6 weight blank. He will buiild the rod. He is an experienced fly fisherman and definltely wants a fast-actioned blank to handle the windy conditions he typically encounters in NZ.

He liked the Sage RPL and would like something similar in action alot but he is not stuck on that brand especially since they cost so much. While he would like light weight and performance, he does not want anything too fragile either.

He's been looking at the St. Croix SC 5 models, the Rainshadow RX8+, and the Rainshadow RX8 Travel Series.

I am an amatuer rod builder. Most of the rods I build are salt water surf and inshore rods. I also don't fly fish (at least not yet). For those reasons, I don't think I am qualified to advise him on this. I have had great luck with Rainshadow rods but I don't think he should consider only that brand.

Any advice on the above blanks or other brands/models would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. Tom

Tom,
I don't consider the RPL a fast rod. It's more of a pretty-slow-mid-flex rod . You are talking circa early-mid 1990's right? Sage changed the taper with the RPL+, and that was faster. If your father really likes a faster action then my vote would be for Dan Craft's FT 9' 4pc 6wt. I personally think the FT series is the best I have encountered, bar none. I compares favorably with all my factory rods.
If he really want to duplicate the RPL then a slower blank would be the way to go, and they are all over the place.
If traveling is really an issue, and you do want to stay with a mid-flex (but faster) rod then consider the Dan Craft FTL 9' 6pc 6wt. ( I am familiar with the 6wt blank and I have one for sale on Buy/Sell/Trade - but I wouldn't want to get envolved with shipping to NZ.). I like more of a stiffer butt section and faster tip - that the FTL does not have. But if I remember correctly, it is pretty similar to the RPL.
Good luck.
Herb

My experience with the Dan Craft blanks is very similar to Herb's. The blanks your father mentions are also very good but not better than the FT or FTL blanks of Craft"s where performance is concerned in my opinion.

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

Hi Tom,

It depends how much your dad wants to spend, and of course, buying a top end rod like Sage means Unlimited Lifetime Warranty. Slam it in the door, step on it, dog bite the tip off...Sage will replace it.

The new Sage Z-Axis rods are fast actioned, but if your dad compares it to his RPL he may be in for a shock...what he thought was pretty fast is actually more medium. I've casted the new Z-Axis and it's magnificent. So are the new Orvis rods, but just as expensive.
a Good option is Maybe the Sage XP 6wt 4-piece. The XP is a fast-action rod, with a fantastic casting motion too. And with the new Z-Axis out, a lot of shops are having closeout sales on these XP brand Sage rods, and you can pick them up at a relevant bargain.

a Mate of mine has built up a Rainshadow RX7, 5wt, 4 piece rod. For the price, it's action is unbelievable! IMHO, this is the rod to go for. At that price your dad can build up two, because he doesn't want to be stuck in New Zealand with a broken rod, and no back-up rod. Or, Batson can supply spare tips sections, which is also a good thing...to carry around a spare tip (in addition to a spare rod of course, in case of a butt-break, reel seat failure, etc).

The only thing I would suggest in addition, is do not get a rod with a "spigot"-type ferrule system. Always go for male-female type direct interlocking rod pieces. I've had a Scott that uses ferrules to join the blank pieces and broke it 4 times fighting fish. With the others I've had no problems.

Regards
Mike

Thanks very much for the information. My father has had the RPL for a long time and has probably not tried many other rods. I will give him a heads up on how times (and rod actions) have changed. I am going to recommend that he call Rainshadow and Dan Craft Enterprises. Thanks again, Tom

My Father contacted Dan Craft and got a blank from him. Thanks again for everyone's help. Tom