I am building a fly/spin combo like the one outlined in the Rodmaker mag for a customer. The handle length is going to be 10.75 inches. I have a 7'6" 4pc 5wt that I am going to use for the blank. I am thinking of trimming off the 10.75 inches of handle length, as that is going to be ferruled so that the grip can be flipped flopped. I know that normally trimming slows the action and decreases power but would it in this case as the blank will be ferruled into a rigid aluminum tube giving back that power and action?

For all intents and purposes, yes. You're replacing the trimmed length with the new handle, so the original power and action won't be changed much. Granted, the new handle may be stiffer than had you built the handle on the blank itself, but it's going to be very, very close since that portion of the rod doesn't flex much anyway.

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Thanks Tom. That is what my thinking was also, just wanted to make sure.

Unless you are wedded to a specific length, ferrule the bottom of the rod attach the handle to that. This will make for a longer and faster rod.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

Dick
What issue was that covered in?

TIA

Matt