Going to be building my first Spey Rod, a 13ft CTS 6/7wt 4pc for the blank. I think I saw somewhere on the forum that the front cork should be 1 inch for each foot of rod, so that's a 13 inch front section and I was planning on a 5 inch rear grip section. I am going to be making up my own grips for this and would appreciate any of you folks that have built a spey rod to check my plans and give some advise. Thanks.

Hi Bill
you have to make the handle as long as you need it, it depends on the length of your rod and your strength, to see how much leverage you need to cast a Long line. If the handle is to short you will work like @#$%&, I always keep it an inch or two longer, I cant give my handle length since I have very long arm (Monkey arms). Shadow cast the blank (wrap your Ferrules with masking tape first) and see where your hand has to be where it takes the least effort to whip the blank and still being comfortable.
Best Regards Mark Crouse - The Munich Rod Man

Hey Bill,
On my CTS 13'6" rod built on CTS' switch rod specs my lower grip is 5.5" and the upper grip is 13.5"

I agree with mark - what I do is to temporarily attach the guides and lawn cast the rod without a grip (reel on the ground). wherever my upper hand feel good, add and inch, is where I make the grip.

Which CTS blank is that??
Herb

Thanks Guys, I'll give that a shot and see where I wind up.

Herb, its a CTS Affinity Plus DH, Model DQ1306-4 6/7 line rating, 450 to 750 grains.

search the photo section there are many spey rods there, a bunch are mine. I am a tall guy and fish my front hand far forward. I normaly use (as a general rule) 1" for every foot then toss on an extra inch. so for me it would be approx 14" and I like a longer rear so around 6" but it is all comfort. Keep in mind if you winter fish the lower needs to be slightly longer to make room for gloved hands.

Questions just ask.
Best of luck!
Eric

You can and maybe should take the blank outside - Play - with it cast it get a Feel for how and where you May want the handle and seat

if you want tape on some guides and cast it This will give you a better Feel for the handle and seat

Bill - willierods.com

I would also suggest before settling on rear and fore grip lengths; installing tip top, temporarily attatching reel to be used on finished rod in close vicinity to where it will eventually and permanently stay, and hanging a fair amont of line out through the tip top. Swing balance from this exercise can be further dialed by deciding whether reel seat should be down or up locking in assembly.

Good luck in your build.