I am going to be doing my fist build of some rods for Alaska. I will be using them for fishing Sockeye so casting is of no importance as we use them for flipping. We load our fly reels with mono. I am looking for some 9 or 10wt 9ft 2pc blanks. I want to keep it under 100.00 a blank. Durability is HUGE. What blanks would you recommend?

Kevin Gross
Many men will spend their whole life wondering if they made a difference. Marines dont have that problem - Ronald Regan

Batson (Forecast) IM-6 should work for you


F9010-2 Dark Blue Gloss 9'0" 2 10 0.487 5.0 Mod-Fast 2.75 oz. Permit / Big redfish / Medium Salt Water applications / large salmon

Not that I've built a ton of rods, but I have fished a lot in Alaska with different rods, so take my advice for what you paid for it.

The TFO TiCr-X is an extremely durable rod. It isn't the most fancy or well known, but mine has been used and abused and caught hundreds of salmon. So at least give it a look. Not sure if it's in your budget-should be close. For a discount rod, it's very good in my opinion.

I agree that the Batson IM6 (RX6) would be a good and inexpensive alternative. I've built 3 of their blanks that I bought through Utmost. Good stuff and recommended.

The Sevier salt water fly blanks are on closeout from Sevier right now. They are 4 piece (good for travel) IM6 rods and can be had for $30-$35. You could buy 2 or 3 and not break your $100 budget. I am working on one right now-a 10 weight- and while I have not fished it, it's a nicely finished blank and I assume will make a great rod. It feels to be on the "heavy" side which has got to be good for durability.

In our group of 4, we break about 1 rod per year. I have seen broken: 2 Sage XPs, 1 Sage VT2, 1 Winston BII, 1 Orvis Helios, 1 Cabelas PT, 1 St Croix (unsure of the model). I guess the point is, that any rod, no matter how good, can and will break if you mistreat it. One of our guys breaks a rod almost every year, and always when landing the fish with the fish up close. I no longer blame the rod...

Anyway, always have a back up or two on an expensive trip. I bring 2 fly rods and a spinning rod every year, and I'm the only one in the group who hasn't broken a rod (yet).

I am also curious about your technique? Could you elaborate a bit?

Good luck

Drew

In a 9 ' I always want a fast blank. I have had these cast several line weights and I have plenty of control over the distance with a certain weight line. There is more you can do with a fast blank. IMHO.

Bill - willierods.com

Drew
As you know Sockeye run right next to shore and its a glacial river so very poor visability. We simply tie our fly on a 3ft leader and a few split shot. You just flip out a rod lenght from shore and drift your fly with the current. you will know when a red hits it just keep your line tight so you dont have a lot of slack. The Kenai is a pretty fast moving river so its game one when you hit a fish. I have used an Ugly Stik for years and you cant break them. They are also very heavy and its only 8ft wiht a spinning reel on it. Time for a 9ft fly rod.

Kevin Gross
Many men will spend their whole life wondering if they made a difference. Marines dont have that problem - Ronald Regan

Kevin,

I think the Batson RX7 should fit your bill nicely. These rods are super tough and take a beating. I am here in Alaska and have built plenty of rods on those blanks. I use a 7wt Batson RX7 Switch alot and have had no problems, even though it may be slightly undergunned. I would use the 9, the 10 is quite a beefy stick and I build on those for Kings...

went with a guide in alaska and he furnished 9.5 ft, 7 wt, G. Loomis (I think gl2) rods that worked extremely well. I would build one of them in a heartbeat if I was going back.