I just finished my first fly rod (9 foot, 4 peice, 5 weight) and it turned out quite well - if I do say so myself :-) This first rod was an inexpensive kit ($69) I got from Hook and Hackle. I would now like to make another one, but not a kit. I would appreciate any suggestion on relatively inexpensive ($100 - 125 or less) blank. I will then get the guides, etc separately.

I am an experience fly fisherman, mostly trout in Missouri and Colorado. I fish primarily with dry flies and want a 5 weight, 4 piece traveling rod (somewhat like my first one, but perhaps a little more upscale.) I think I would like to have medium to fast action.

I have been trying to educate myself on the various brands/types of blanks, but there are so many options it is somewhat overwhelming.

Thanks for any suggestions/experience.

Harold

P.S. I have also been reading the various forums also.

Dan Craft Sig V, fantastic blanks for the money.

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
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> Dan Craft Sig V, fantastic blanks for the money.

Spencer: Thanks for the suggestion. I did some more reading based on Dan Craft and one comment (http://www.flyfishingforum.com/flytalk4/showthread.php?t=17818) suggested his FT series was particularly good because apparently a 4wt works quite well for lines up to 8wt, giving a much more versatile rod. Do you have any knowledge about this and/or the FT?

Thanks for any comment.

Harold

Harold,
Check out the info at the CC Data site to the upper left.
The FT is not a med fast blank, it's a very "fast taper" blank. I use the FT and similar blanks like the Sage TCR when I am nymphing or throwiing sink tips more than a floating line, not that you can't do it. My Loomis GLX and the Sig V just do it more enjoyably for me, they also make up into a lighter weight rod.

i wrapped a 5wt FT for a buddy. the heft and size of the blank made me think it was a much higher line wt rated blank, like an 8. i mean, the blank itself was a larger diameter. still those who fish an FT love them usually. the signature V blanks are much slimmer and lighter in weight.

my first thought was why build another 5 wt though i guess you can never have too many 5 wt rods. but how about an 8' or 8-6 4wt? dan crafts FTL 8' 3wt is very nice too and i fish it sometimes with a 4. it's a 6 piece which would make it an nice travel rod. very veyr light in hand.

eric
fresno, ca.

eric zamora Wrote:
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> my first thought was why build another 5 wt though
> i guess you can never have too many 5 wt rods. but
> how about an 8' or 8-6 4wt? dan crafts FTL 8' 3wt
> is very nice too and i fish it sometimes with a 4.
> it's a 6 piece which would make it an nice travel
> rod. very veyr light in hand.

Eric, thanks for the response. Yes, I guess one might wonder why I would build another 5 weight. Actually, the first 5 weight was for my wife. The second is for me. However, thanks for the suggestion on the FT and the suggestion of a 8' or 8' 6". If the wife does not like the length of her 9', I will build her a shorter version. I just thought the 9' would give her more distance when casting without having to work so hard.

Spencer: Thanks for the info on the Sig V vs the FT. I will study the CC Data to see if I can make since of it. From you comments, I will probably get the Sig V.

Harold