I am getting ready to start building some of my first rods and want to focus on travel flyrods....3-4 pieces. I have all of my components picked out except for the blanks. In your opinion what is a nice 3-4 piece blank for 3-5 wt travel fly rod?? I also plan to move up to 8-12 wt rod very soon and would like opinions on those blanks as well. I prefer fast action blanks. Thanks!!

Try a Batson RX7 5wt, 4 pcs, 9ft

Good Wraps Bob

The answer depends on what you want to spend for the blanks. I like the Tiger Eye blanks in the lower rod weights. Best bang for the buck around. For higher weight rods (over 6wt), I like the Batson Rainshadow RX8 for fast action blank at a good price. Another choice would be the American Tackle Matrix blanks. If you are willing to spend the money, I would go with the RX8+. There are a number of other good choices out there and all have their following. But the first question you need to answer is what you are willing to spend.

I build a lot of fly rods and highly recommend the Batson line of blanks, There are actions and price points that meet all my customer requests and there quality and service are top notch,

robbie the batson are nice, i like the mhx, dan craft, st croix, cts, and fish creek. there are others as well that are good, but i can speak of personal experience with the ones i have listed. i think you will be happy with any of the ones i listed. if you are up in my neck of the woods stop by and try some of mine out. i also built some of the fish creek for scott parsons and i am sure he will let you try them out.

Contact Janns NetCraft (to the left). They have a deal on St Crois. I built a 5wt, 4piece in May and it is fantastic. Great caster and just what
I wanted a 5 wt to do. I think they also carry Matrix but I have not built on that one.

Ditto Batson and St Croix. You can't go wrong with either.

Matt Smith
Greensboro, NC

The Mudhole MHX 4-piece blanks are responsive, light, and priced very competitively. Of course you will have to build on an MHX blank or obtain a custom built MHX rod since they are not available as a mass production (factory built) rod.

Thanks Gents!! I think I have my punch list together and I appreciate the help. This should be an interesting journey!!

You can do it Grasshopper!

I just built a set of Batson RX7 4pc 4wgts. Very nice blanks. I Put single foot running guides on them. Great little rods and at a good price.

Mike