I'm planning to build my first fly rod for my daughter: 7'6" or 8', 2 or 3 piece. Hoping to keep price around $60 or so for the blank. I'm not looking for the best (thus the $60) but something forum members have found to be very satisfactory. Appreciate your comments. Pat

Just my opinion but St. Croix has some great inexpensive blanks, made here in North America and offer good performance and quality. You might find there is no real reason to spend more than what you posted. Cannot remember what series they build their Imperial fly rods on but I think it is the SCII/SIV combo and those should fall in line with about what you want to spend. GREAT blanks.

Hi Pat Fitzsimmons,
Check out our RainShadow Fly rod blanks. The RX6 is a great starter build and fishes amazing. We also have kits available through our distributors that will come complete handle assembly as well.
www.rainshadowrodblanks.com for the rod blank and www.alpsforecast.com for the rod components.

I agree with Bill, the RX6 would be great for a first build, also you could look at Anglers Roost, also a sponsor here. If going with a Batson my first choice for a supplier would be Karen at Bingham Enterprises and second would be Get Bit Outdoors. Both are sponsors here as well. Karen also carries American Tackle blanks and may have something you like in the configuration you are asking for, and it is hard to beat the American Tackle Matrix blanks for the price, give her a call and I am sure she will be very helpful as she is with everyone, as would John Kuehn at Angler Roost These two have been an enormous help to me over the years. All of these would be in or around the same price range and within your budget.

It's much harder to rebuild a rod properly than to build it right the first time. Why not find a broken rod and practice attaching guides and grips which can be salvaged and reused on your first build?

RX6 is a nice blank to start with. I'd also look at Ye Olde English Fly Shop. I love my 7'9" 3wt from there. Built one for a friend as well, they are 4 piece blanks however.

Thank you for comments. I've purchased a Mountain Brooks fiberglass blank: 3 piece, 4 wt., 7'3". As I indicated, this is my first build. Currently I don't have any of the necessary components to start the assembly. I will make future comments on my progress and questions on the Fiberglass forum and come back here with that hot link if readers wish to follow. As I try to figure out the rod components, I' building a simple winding jig to be used with my fly tying bobbin. I'll keep you informed. Thanks, pat