I normally make bass rods but I'm looking for suggestions on a fly rod blank for bream fishing. May occasionally get a small largemouth on the line. Am vaguely familiar with the technique of fly fishing as far as making the cast but i'm completely illiterate on weights and lengths. Recently found an old walmart fly rod in my shed, slapped on some pretty line and took it out to see how it worked. Something was very out of sync. Line just did not want to stretch out there right. Probably wrong line purchased by uneducated angler. Just something I'd like to try here on the gulf coast rivers.
Any suggestions?

If you want the maximum fight and feel from these fish, go long. At least 8 feet to 8 and a half feet in a 3 or 4-weight rod. You'll have a blast.

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I agree with tom, i'd also look for something a more moderate action

As far as fly rods goes, theres a lot to feel. I would suggest going to a fly shop and picking some up in the 3-5 wt class in different lengths and fiddling with them. Get an Idea for what kind of rod you want and then go from there. Some companies offer blanks as well as production rods so you can pick up a rod you like then get the blank and build it custom.

could have been the wrong weight of line on the rod, could have been a lackluster rod (from walmart), could have been your technique since you're new to it. or a combincation. there IS a specific timing involved with fly casting which really takes instruction from someone who knows what they're doing though there are videos online and DVDs you can buy which willl teach you the basics.

tom's suggestion on length and weight of line/rod sounds like a lot of fun. batson offers an RX6 in an 8 foot or 9 foot 4 wt which would work fine on the low end of the price scale.

eric
fresno, ca.

I've never flyfished, and wanted to learn. Built an 8 1/2 foot 2 pc. 5 wt. for myself recently. Used a Batson IM6 blank, not much money at all. The first time I tried, with absolutely no instructions, I about gave up. Couldn't cast it 10 feet!
A fellow I work with took it, and was able to cast the entire line, so I figured it was made ok! He gave me some tips, and I can get the fly out far enough now.
The first time I used it, caught 15 bream. It is a ball! I still have trouble with line control. Until I get that under control, it is going to be a mess if I catch a big fish. The line will probably get tangled all around me.

Steve, get some basic flycasting lessons and go from there. Learn a few basic techniques and flyfishing will be even more fun. Line control is part of it, for sure. Try your local fly shop. Most give free or inexpensive lessons.

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

Forecast F864-4 looks pretty sweet, is priced right and packs small.