Need some ideas
got asked to build a 11' fly rod 8 wt to fish Polasky for salmon stealhead The future wife wants if for her husband to be as a present Big 6' guy
Money is tight ( it always is ) so i found a RX 7 2 pc 10 ft 8 wt Batson Will extend it 8" The unkle I beleve is teaching him to fish fly said a 11" but cause of money could not find a blank

I am wondering if as a new fly roder a butt handle of maybe 5" ?? seat and then a 7 - 8" fore handle will help a new caster handle it easier Thinking at 6' has larger hands At least larger then me So a little thicker would help also
Going to use Minima 4s on it

Need some imput
Thanks What do ya think

Bill - willierods.com

Check the following link to the Batson web site for their RX 7 Switch Rod recipe.
They use a fore grip of 11.75 inches.

[www.rainshadowfishing.com]

1 inch of grip length for each foot of rod.

As mentioed above, the Batson IF 1088-4 is a 10' 8" 4 pc 8wt switch rod, that is designed for fishing both single and two handed. It is a great blank and one that many are building exactly for Steelhead. I fish one in the Northwest and really like it! Also as mentioned the fore grip needs to be longer then 8", as with two handed (spey) casting the hand needs to be higher on the rod, 11" works very well. 5" for the butt grips is fine, maybe 5 1/2" if he has large hands.

I would NOT tamper with the length, especially adding 8"! You should be able to talk them into the standard 10' 8" length. If you absolutely must extend it to 11', I'd only add the needed 4". This can be done within the butt grip.

Also on the Batson web site you can view the switch rod handles they offer to better clarify handle set.

Check out A.R>E They have exactly what you are looking for.

Got a like to A E R Can not seem to find them ?? Seem to be out of business

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2013 07:40AM by bill boettcher.

Sorry, I transposed the letters. It is Anglers Roost Enterprises in the list of sponsors. I bought two blanks from them at very fair prices. Made a nice 11' Switch Rod for a 7wt.

Bill, I think Phil is right. I see no reason to extend this blank. There is no relevant difference between an eleven foot rod and a 10ft 8" rod. I wonder where the 11 foot came from originally. Have you checked with Pac Bay? I built a rod on a 13 foot blank from them. The blank was part of their "euro" series of spey blanks. Perhaps they also make an 11 foot blank. Good luck with your project.

Mike Blomme

Thanks guys

The owner of the rod called me last night
Just a fly build 7" or so handle and a 3" fighing butt That can be taken off
Better to talk to the one that will use it
He liks 10' 6 So the 8 wt 10' I will extend 6" this way the seat will go over the connection and be stronger

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
I fish the Salmon River in Pulaski NY all the time. I have the Batson 8wt switch (10'8") and I also have an ARE 7/8 12' spey. Both are great rods but if you are looking to save money go with the ARE blank, add the ARE grips and reel seat and you are out the door for less than $100. The blank is $40 compared to the Batson blank which is close to $100. The Batson blank is at it's limit for kings in the fall but makes a great rod for everything else. The ARE rod is perfect for the kings but is slightly heavy for steelhead. If it is a steelhead only rod then the ARE 5/6 12' might be a better choice. ARE also makes 11' rod blanks.

Quinn

I read here that ARE is no longer in buisness ??

Where you getting your blanks from

Got the 10' 2 pc from Utmost well under 100

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/29/2013 07:57AM by bill boettcher.

ARE is alive and well.

Did a search on it several times Can not find it No Site ??

AER or ARE

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/29/2013 11:32AM by bill boettcher.

Anglers Roost In the sponsors list.