I was wondering what may be considered the fastest fly blank available
A 5 wt fly

At a reasonable price

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/13/2014 05:28PM by bill boettcher.

What's a reasonable price? In my estimation the fastest blank is the Sage One.

St Croix makes some exceptionally fast fly rods.

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Sage Method is about $517 for a kit. The Method is suppose to be their fastest.

Batson Rainshadow RX8 blanks are about the fastest fly rod blanks I build on. They would qualify as "at a reasonable price" particularly compared to the fast action Sage and St. Croix blanks.

Keep in mind that what one manufacturer calls a really fast 5 wt may be labeled as a 6 wt by a different manufacturer or even the same company on a different rod line. You can always build a 6 wt blank and fish it with a 5 wt line if it accomplishes your purposes. In reality, that sage method is probably closer to a typical 7 wt than a typical 5 wt if you were to look at the ccs data.

TFO Axiom

he is going to use it nymphing and at first said he wanted a TFO-BVK said he had used them and liked them
he also wanted an Orvis HELIOS - 2 Big price difference in them I chatted with Orvis and they are going to be rolling them soon ??? Got to call and try to get a date ?? he wants the Helios
I did mention the St Croix This guy always tries a rod before he gets one I don't blame him
I had a St Croix 5 wt 9ft 2 Loved it with a 6 wt line

Bill - willierods.com

DanCraft FT 4wt AA=76
Sage TCX AA=75
Loomis HLS, PacBay Quickline AA=72
Sage One, Z-Axis, XP, Mudhole MHX AA=70

Many of these are also over-powered for their rating. DanCraft FT 4wt has an ERN of 7.2, for example.
I have this rod and find it terrible to cast. It might make a good gear rod, though.

Action won't relate to power, that's something different. Although I think fishermen, even many builders, often confuse action with power, and certain action with speed. Each is a different thing.

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Action won't relate to power, that's something different. Although I think fishermen, even many builders, often confuse action with power, and certain action with speed. Each is a different thing.

Where proper loading is the issue, you want to consider rod power, not so much the action.

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That is why i think this guy is right to try a rod first in order to see if that Marked 5 wt how it handles the line If one wants to use a 5 wt line
A fast blank or rod may go to Streight Fast yet not have any power to cast the line as far as needed
I think that a ( tip flex ) blank may just have more power in the butt yet ya still shoud test cast to see how it ( feels ) with the line it is marked as

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
I am now having CTS blanks built with a stiffer tip - to lift line off the water - and a moderate butt. It's not enough to state "fast". These blanks get very specialized now so more conversation is really in order. Got to know how the rod is going to be used and the owners expectation of how rod will perform.

That configuration is now my go-to rod in a #10 for the Cape Cod beaches.
Herb

Thanks Herb
Seems Orvis does not know when they will be rolling the Helios blanks
he did say that he has used the Helios and liked the tip flex and power to throw line

Bill - willierods.com

Does anyone use the Hook and Hackle FTX fast tip line of blanks?

I am looking to build a nymph rod as well and they look pretty good for the price and warranty.

If it were my rod I would probably go St Croix

Bill - willierods.com

MHX 9' 5wt. 2 piece is quite fast and reasonable in cost. Very light weight blank as well.

fastest fly blank and reasonable price do not belong in the same sentence. i think sage has a new method blank has to be expensive.

Robert

What of the posts I have read here that have stated that a 400.00 dollar blank the finish comes off with JUST alcohol cleaning

For that price the finish should be of the Auto Type
Whould you not think and alcohol shoud not effecte it at all Not knowing the poster ???

So Price Determinds QUALITY

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2014 03:17PM by bill boettcher.

bill i think usually it does, especially in flyrods and fishing reels that i have purchased. do you know which blank they are talking about?