I don't post very often, but I'm not a big fan of FB--and I can't find any reviews of these blanks. It seems like the forums have become "old school," which seems REALLY weird to someone my age!
I'm particularly interested in the 10' 3" 4 & 5 weights. How do they compare to MHX, Batson, (or even quickline), or other blanks? The advertising states "IM7 fast action designed for all fishing conditions." The 4 weight is listed as "Butt Dia. .41, Tip 3.5, blank weight 1.91 oz." which sounds good to me. If anyone has any first hand experience with these blanks, please let me know what you think of them. What is the action like (I know that's a relative question). Are they true to line weights, or overpowered? At under $80 these might be a very good value.
Thanks ahead of time for input!

They were for sale earlier this week at Hook and Hackle -- 30% off. The Quickline series has been discontinued, so this is now PacBay's top blank. I have not seen or cast one but if you search this forum there seem to be positive comments. The brown blank color does not do it for me, but they are now offering Arctos
fly blanks in a graphite/black color as well.

I fished a 4 wt. for about a half hour, nice stick, cast close in as well as far, no need to overline, works great with a 4 wt. line.

David, thank you for responding.
I totally agree, I don't like the metallic brown either, but I saw where Hook & Hackle is offering them in matte charcoal. I didn't know that Quickline was discontinued, so thanks for letting me know.

Thanks Spencer for letting me know it's a nice stick. I guess I've been out of the loop lately, and couldn't find much info about them.
How did it compare to other blanks?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2019 05:44PM by Brian Nelson.

Hard to discribe rods, but if you've fished a later Dan Craft Sig V, you are in the ballpark, though the Dan's are high modulus and lighter in weight.
I think the post archives here has some information.

Spencer,
Thank you. Haven't fished Dan Craft Sig V, but I've heard they're similar to Z-axis, and I'm familiar with them.
Thanks for your input!

I built two Arctos 10' 3" 4 wt. fly blanks when they first came out since I like long rods and my wife always needs her own rod. I think they cast a 4 wt WF line just fine but uplined to a 4.5 or 5 wt they load even better for me. They are an all round faster action rod that will throw dries, dry/dropper and indies easily. Can do Euro nymphing but just not very sensitive or light weight. They also cast micro skagit heads with tips and pretty big flies really well. Not super light weight but the blanks are straight and ferrules fit is excellent. I will miss the Quicklines.

John,
Thanks. I'm a big fan of longer fly rods as well--which is why I wanted to learn more about them to begin with.
Thank you for your input!