hi, im just getting started in rodbuilding. ive read one good book on the subject, and im trying to select components for my first rod. id like to build a 10' or 10'6" 6wt flyrod with a wooden reel seat, full wells grip and a fighting butt. my first question is, who makes a 10'6" moderate to slow action flyrod blank? i havent been able to find one yet. second, how do you select the reel seat, handle and fighting butt? do they all have measurements or diameters that have to be matched? is it better to get a handle kit that includes reel seat,handle and butt? thanks for any help, mark

Mark,

You'll have to check with the sponsors listed to the left to see who makes the kind of fly rod you are looking for. Off the top of my head, I am not aware of any medium to slow action fly rod blanks of that length. But that doesn't mean that somebody doesn't make them.

I will advise that handle components are not intended to be assembled like a plastic model kit - they will require some handwork to properly fit them to the blank. That's part of building a rod. The book you read should show you how to do all this as well as giving some tips on how to select your components.

I think you should contact one of the suppliers at the left and have them help you select all the necessary items. You will find them eager to help out on this, your first rod building project.

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