Hello everyone.
I just finished my first fly rod build and I am fairly pleased with the outcome. I just have to take it over to one of the class instructors to have it epoxied. We had a rod building class at our TU chapter in feb. The blank I used was a batson forcast 9 ft 5 wt. I like the way it feels we casted them after we had the eyes on with rubber bands to see how they performed. My question is I have a sage launch 4 wt thats 8ft 6in. If I decide to build another rod 4 or 5 wt probably what is the next level up as far as quality without going to a 400 dollar winston or orvis blank? I would also like to know what my batson blank as far as performance is matched with if thats a question that can be answered.thanks to any responses Fred

The money spent does not always equate to the performance obtained. We'd all like to think that the performance of a $400 blank is going to be vastly superior to that of a $40 blank, but the difference may be far less than you'd think.

If you were to move from say, that Batson Forecast to perhaps a Batson Rainshadow, for example, you'd see a noticeable increase without a tremendous increase in money. Beyond that, you're just going to have to try as many rods and blanks as you can in order to find those that suit you the best. I will say this, for $150 or so, you can probably reach as far as you're going to reach in terms of performance. Then it just comes down to finding which models suit your personal tastes.

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Rainshadow® RX7 Fly Rod Blanks
Simply stated, Rainshadow® “IF” fly rod blanks are the best value in a high performance fly rod blank available today. We believe it’s easy
to design blanks when cost isn’t an issue, but it’s difficult to design a blank with high performance at a reasonable price. These blanks are
easy to cast and are truly a joy to fish with. We almost made these too good, because they out perform many blanks selling for two to
three times more. With a total of 51 blank models and your choice of two different colors, we’ve got a blank to fit your needs.
Features: • RX7 intermediate modulus (43 million) high strain rate graphite • Medium-fast action • Light overall weight • Your choice of
Matte Clear or Olympic Green color • Out perform blanks that sell for two to three times more • Limited lifetime warranty

4 Piece Travel Fly Rod Blanks Featuring RX7 Graphite
(Color Key: M = Matte Clear, OG = Olympic Green)
Model Color Length Sections Line Wt. Butt Tip Action Blank Wt.
IF863-4 OG / M 8’6’ 4 3 0.327 4.0 Med-Fast 1.45 oz.
IF764-4 OG / M 7’6” 4 4 0.350 3.5 Med-Fast 1.17 oz.
IF864-4 OG / M 8’6’ 4 4 0.330 4.0 Med-Fast 1.56 oz.
IF904-4 OG / M 9’0” 4 4 0.380 4.0 Med-Fast 1.53 oz.
IF805-4 OG / M 8’0” 4 5 0.375 4.0 Med-Fast 1.44 oz.
IF865-4 OG / M 8’6” 4 5 0.380 5.0 Med-Fast 1.54 oz.
IF905-4 OG / M 9’0” 4 5 0.405 4.5 Med-Fast 1.66 oz.
IF906-4 OG / M 9’0” 4 6 0.410 5.0 Med-Fast 1.74 oz.
IF907-4 OG / M 9’0” 4 7 0.435 4.5 Med-Fast 1.93 oz.
IF908-4 OG / M 9’0” 4 8 0.445 5.5 Med-Fast 2.29 oz.
IF909-4 OG / M 9’0” 4 9 0.430 4.5 Med-Fast 2.08 oz.
IF9010-4 OG / M 9’0” 4 10 0.525 5.0 Med-Fast 2.35 oz.


Rainshadow® RX8 Travel Fly Rod Blanks
RX8 travel fly rod blanks are designed as the fastest action fly blanks we offer. If long casts and windy conditions are
the norm, these are the blank for you! These will punch out long casts in any conditions and still allow excellent line control.
Features: • RX8 graphite & RX7 graphite blend • “Rifle fast” blank actions for windy & long casting situations • Unsurpassed lifting
power • Slim ferrule designs for smooth power transfer • Light blank weight • Proprietary modulus positioning incorporated in the
blank design results in fast action without sacrificing strength • Matte Clear finish • Limited lifetime warranty
4 Piece Travel Fly Rod Blanks Featuring RX8 Graphite (Color Key: M = Matte Clear)
Model Color Length Sections Line Wt. Butt Tip Action Blank Wt.
XF764-4 M 7’6” 4 4 0.340 3.5 Extra-Fast .94 oz.
XF864-4 M 8’6” 4 4 0.315 4.0 Extra-Fast 1.34 oz.
XF865-4 M 8’6” 4 5 0.335 4.5 Extra-Fast 1.34 oz.
XF904-4 M 9’0” 4 4 0.365 4.0 Extra-Fast 1.90 oz.
XF905-4 M 9’0” 4 5 0.340 4.5 Extra-Fast 2.00 oz.
XF906-4 M 9’0” 4 6 0.355 4.5 Extra-Fast 2.02 oz.
XF907-4 M 9’0” 4 7 0.380 4.5 Extra-Fast 2.15 oz.
XF908-4 M 9’0” 4 8 0.385 4.5 Extra-Fast 2.25 oz.
XF909-4 M 9’0” 4 9 0.400 4.5 Extra-Fast 2.38 oz.
XF9010-4 M 9’0” 4 10 0.415 5.0 Extra-Fast 2.77 oz.

Rainshadow® RX7+ Travel Fly Rod Blanks
RX7+ travel fly rod blanks are designed for the fly fisherman looking for a blank that requires a longer, more relaxed casting stroke.
They load in close, but harbor the reserve power to punch out long casts in windy conditions. Our term for the performance of these
is tremendous “Fishability”.
Features:
• RX7+ graphite • Proprietary graphite reinforcement for incredible strength and lifting power • Ability to work on short casts but
with plenty of reserve power • Medium-Fast actions • Our smoothest casting fly rod blank • Slim profile ferrule design for smooth
power transfer tip to butt • Light overall weight • Beautiful Chestnut Brown color • Limited lifetime warranty.

Model Color Length Sections Line Wt. Butt Tip Action Blank Wt.
RX7+864-4 GBR 8’6” 4 4 0.325 4.5 Med-Fast 1.57 oz.
RX7+904-4 GBR 9’0” 4 4 0.340 4.5 Med-Fast 1.89 oz.
RX7+865-4 GBR 8’6” 4 5 0.330 4.5 Med-Fast 1.60 oz.
RX7+905-4 GBR 9’0” 4 5 0.340 4.5 Med-Fast 1.95 oz.
RX7+906-4 GBR 9’0” 4 6 0.345 4.5 Med-Fast 1.74 oz.
RX7+907-4 GBR 9’0” 4 7 0.360 4.5 Med-Fast 2.02 oz.
RX7+967-4 GBR 9’6” 4 7 0.360 5.0 Med-Fast 2.13 oz.
RX7+908-4 GBR 9’0” 4 8 0.385 4.5 Med-Fast 2.14 oz.
RX7+968-4 GBR 9’6” 4 8 0.380 5.0 Med-Fast 2.35 oz.
RX7+909-4 GBR 9’0” 4 9 0.395 4.5 Med-Fast 2.33 oz.
RX7+9010-4 GBR 9’0” 4 10 0.410 5.0 Med-Fast 2.50 oz.

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

I have been told by two different sources, a long time rod builder and fly fisherman, and a long time casting instructor. "most fly fisherman invest more in quality rods that their skills will never match" I was told if I master the skills to cast even the low end rods built nowadays. I would be a tremendous caster. The quality of graphite blanks today far exceeds most flyfisherman's skill level...get a good blank as mentioned if you can "master it "you may never need to spend more.
Eric

I know it isn't fly fishing/casting - but that applies to other fishing genres as well. If you attended Rich Forhan's seminars on bass rods, one consistent theme was in all. He saw a sliding scale from beginner/fun fisherman up to touring pro. Different requirements, different understanding of the tools (rods), vastly different skill levels on how to use the different rods.

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I can personally vouch for the 4pc travel rod. It is one of the best all around fly rods for the money and for the fact that it is a travel rod. I can get almost just as much (If not more) distance out of it as I can a 2 pc 9.0. Its a great rod.

Vern

take a look at what Tom said. Be thamkful for a quality rod blank and components at a fair price. Good stuff.
And no I don't own any of there stock LOL Just check to see if there numbers are correct . There is a site.
[www.superbob.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Have a look at the blanks made by CTS,Lamiglass,St Croix,Rainshadow,and Dan Craft(my personal favorite when it comes to best bang for the buck).

These blanks all receive rave reviews(do a search here for feedback on them as there is plenty of it) and offer performance that rivals the most expensive big name blanks on the market,yet some of them are a fraction of the cost.