I'm looking to build a new fly rod as I chase big chunky trophy largemouth, and as by-catch the odd pike and tiger muskie (maybe do some big brown trout fishing too), so need a good 8/9 wt for throwing big fat chubby articulated deer hair behemoths properly. Figuring I'll go with MHX; I've built 2 rods on their blanks before and like them. Ideally, I'd like a 9' 8/9wt as a one piece but that runs about $125 + $20 (from Mudhole) special shipping for an oversize blank. I'm assuming (correct me if I'm wrong) that a 2/3 piece blank of the same specs wouldn't usher in the extra shipping charge as it would ship in a smaller box and of course has a cheaper baseline price. Aside from the obvious price gap, are there any notable performance benefits of a one piece fly rod to a multi-piece?

With all my conventional fishing gear I always stick with one piece rods, but when it comes to fly fishing, its a different art.

Thanks for any input,

Cam

I believe Mudhole's shipping charges are spelled out on their website and in their catalog. No need to guess - it's right there in black and white.

Most modern day multi-piece rods, once assembled, would be hard to tell from their single piece counterparts.

..............

The problems of traveling with long one piece rods has made most of us no longer build or use them. Additionally, as Tom mentioned, very very little difference in performance.

cool thanks

If you are on Mudhole's email list you will get notices for free shipping deals. The offer has been made at least twice a year, in my experience. They will ship blanks 9' and under no charge. There may be a minimum purchase amount, however. My 9' Lamiglas LSSUs and LGSBs were purchased this way. No tax or shipping . . . can't be beat for those of us who are retail buyers.

That said, $20.00 is a reasonable shipping charge for a 9' blank.

Some swear by 1 pc. I know a person who will not fish anythin besides a 3pc - to keep the ferrule away from the middle of the rod. Others like a 2pc. I have found that the 4pc is my favorite - and I have too many fly rods to count.

I like it on all counts - shipping, breaking in two for my rod rack, fits in car trunk in 2pcs., like the performance. I find the 3pc much less accomodating.
Herb
Distrib. CTS Fly Rod Blanks