I've just finished my first rod build on a MHX fly blank (thank you Mudhole). I'm so pleased with it I want to get straight in to my next project.
I want to build a 7'6" #4 or #5 fly rod on a fibreglass (s-glass) blank, so far I've looked at CTS and Epic but do any of you guys have any thoughts or recommendations?

Thank you

John Walker (Wales, UK)

I've built around 15 glass fly rods, mix of vintage and modern makers and my favorite of current offerings are those made by Steffen Brothers.

I have a lot of experience with CTS Glass, the 764 in either 2 or 3 piece is a great stick. I have not done a 5wt in that length, but plenty of them in 8ft and 8-6, again great casting rods. The Epics are also really good, CTS rolls the Epic blanks, in some configurations they are a bit different, bit more power than the same blank in a CTS. The 7-6 and 8ft models in each line weight seem to me to be very similar, step up to the 6wts and heavier and they get different.

If you go with the CTS, just talk to Herb.

Also, I have never cast a Steffen that I did not like either, another great blank. I have built a gang of them. The 7-6 3/4wt is real nice, the 7-9 3/4 is Stellar as well as both 8ft models. The tapers on the Steffen's are very different than the CTS Quartz, the Steffen's have softer tips with a more powerful butt section. End result is still the same, both are great casting blanks.

Thanks for the suggestions. I live in the UK and importing a Steffen looks to be an expensive option, so will probably go for CTS or Epic. I can buy Epic blanks in the UK but CTS are more difficult to come by and a friend gets his straight from NZ.
Any suggestions on colour or do you prefer an unpainted blank? Would a painted blank perform much differently?

Thanks again guys

I have built and fished a CTS Quartz in the P2000 finish, that blank is "raw" no paint or clear top coat, I had another Quartz in the same configuration that was painted, (both 805-4's) and they cast alike, I could not tell a difference.

Shipping from USA to UK is not that bad, I have sent several rods and blanks over to the UK, it cost me about $25 to $35 depending on the length and weight, unless they really smoke you on the import tax?

Thank you Bill. I'll revue my options

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 04:58PM by John E Powell.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2016 11:02AM by John E Powell.