I am hopeing to build a new rod to be used primarily for Steelhead on the great lakes tribs specificaly those of Lake Onterio and Erie. I've pretty much decided on a Dan Craft 10' blank as I've read soem good things about the blank. I love my FT 907-4 but it is a little to short and stiff for this application. I am primarily high sticking with nymphs or swinging fly's but would like to try a little spey casting. Does anyone have any experiance fishing the 10's? I found the CCS info on the site (FT1005-4 8.15/71 3/4 7.78/67 FT1006-4 8.40/67 3/4 8.73/67 ) both seem to show a pretty stout tip flex rod. My original thought was the 6wt as I might also be able to take it to the Cape and cast for migratory stripers or fish some of the bigger waters of Canada or the Pacific Northwest when I get out there :-) But I'm second guessing myself will it have enough "feel "when dead drifting small nymphs and enough flex to protect light tippets as the water can get pretty clear and skinny around here at times. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 7 wt built as a switch rod and it works very well, but frankly if I was to do it again I'd used one of the blanks designed for that now. R.B. Meiser, Beulah, and Rainshadow all have blanks for this and they are all reasonably priced and more importantly all set up for the line weights they are listed for. All these vendors can also suggest lines that work well with their blank, especially at Bob Meiser's shop.

If you are going with a switch rod, I would try to get a slightly longer blank. By time you run the 10 foot blank through the reel seat and into the rear handle, it's going to be too short. As mentioned above, there are some switch rod blanks out there now in the 11' to 12' range. That would be a better length.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/2007 04:52PM by Bob Riggins.

Joe,

Dan's mentioned 10' FTs are by no means too short of a blank for switch rod application ... In fact the 10' blank can be ideal for this.

Blank length is not specifically the definition of a switch rod <> Application is.

Our shop builds a lot of switch rods for anglers, and we have designed switchers for several blank manufacturers.

We will build switchers for Blue water applications in the 8'6" range to 18 /20 wt <> Enough rod to deliver in excess of 950 grains off the tip with two handed overhead delivery, as well as 10'6" 3/4 wt for Trouters allowing under 100 grains for minimal anchor spey deliveries ... Both single and two handed.

Spencer is most accurate:

The most important consideration for efficient delivery with any correctly designed fly rod (especially fly rods with two handed capability) are to choose lines that will not only allow the angler to fish most effectively ...

... But will also have correct grain distribution within their tapers, enhancing maximum delivery capabilty of the blank.

If the blank is designed correctly, it will carry correctly balanced grain to maximize delivery.

Dan's 10 FTs are well designed blanks ... And if lined correctly <> They will carry line grain quite efficiently.

You'll do fine to use them, and Dan can help with lining them correctly for your specific applications.

Bob Meiser

Bob,
thank you for your reply and for further expaining the importance of matching the Rod to the line during our phone conversation today.
It was a pleasure talking to you and refreshing as that kind of quality converstaion doesn't always happen here on the East Coast.
I think I'm going to opt for the FT 10' 6wt as you were right I am at this point basically using trout techniques to catch steelhead.
Who know this may open up a whole new world to me
thanks again
Joe

Cool & Thanks... };^)...!!!

You'll do well with Dan's FT

Bob Meiser