I have been approached to build a 12-13 ft fly rod in a 5-7 wt., the customer is very specific in some of his wants. He wants the lightest rod possible with a conventional fly handle, he wants an 8 in grip and a 1 in. detachable fighting butt. Suggestions on the reel seat, blank and eyes would be helpful. Right now I am thinking about minima eyes in #12,#10 and finish with #5s. He wants to use it on local streams and roll cast short accurate casts for trout and smallies. He has not talked price so it is open, I also turn all my own grips in cork or wood

It does not sound like this guy Knows What He Wants
Short casts the rod is Too long Not needed
A 5 or 7 wt make up your mind
Trout rod way too long
Roll casts ya are going to need a FAST action blank to carry the line Rods too long

The Short casts is what gets me ???? I would think a 9 ft 5 wt fast action St Croix SCIV blank

Maybe a Salmon / steal-head spin blank ????

Bill - willierods.com

Does he intend this to be a two-handed casting affair?

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Good point
how far does he want to cast

You said Short Casts ???? i would ask using a fly LINE or is he using it as a spinning rod ???

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/2014 06:28PM by bill boettcher.

Yep, a little specificity in what he wants to do would help getting and giving advice.

I think Bill B. is correct. If I were you I would get paid 100% for rod before delivery because it will be an abomination to cast and fish.
Herb

Sam,
Sounds like a multiple nymph rig.
French or Czech nymphing.
Long rod with short cast for tight line, sight fishing.
Very specific requirements. The added length keeps more line off the water and allows better contact with the fly leader rig.
Look for a 6 weight. He can overline 1 line size easily with the short line.
Med- fast action, graphite
Use single foot #1 light wire titanium for the running guides.
Use 1 less guide than normal.
What area is he fishing ?

Eugene,
You may be correct. But 12-13' is very long for a nymphing rod
Herb

He intends to use it as a single handed rod and use the length to reach out across our small brushy steams in NE Iowa.

So he's "dappling" with it. In that case you might be better off using something other than a fly blank. The lightest thing you can find in that length.

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Tom, I believe that is the technique he is trying to vision, our steams here in the driftless area consist of small brushy, very clear spring creeks. I am considering a salmon or steelhead blank rated for throwing 3/8 oz weight, that will convert to a 6 wt fly line and he will probably be using a 6 wt spey line on it.

Could be a good choice. I think you're on the right path.

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Try a 13' Noodle Rod blank. Try convincing him that a longer rear grip and foregrip will work much better. with an 8" grip and just a fighting butt, the rod is going to be un-wieldy and very tip heavy. Very tiring for a days fishing.