I am looking to build a 10wt rod for doing some river fishing for pike and musky. I am looking at the Rainshadow eternity and revelation blanks. The eternity is an xf action and the revelation is a fast. Has anyone fished either of these blanks in a similar fashion with large flies? I have an 8wt revelation right now and it gets the job done ok, but definitely takes some effort to throw large flies. I think I would be able to cast some large pike flies more efficiently with a 10. Thats also why I’m considering the xf eternity. Any input would be appreciated!

I would not recommend a fly rod blank without first seeing the buyer cast a line. That said, you could improve your chance of satisfaction with your #10 rod blank if you broadened your search to include other brands and models of blanks. Temple Forks Outfitters offers some excellent blanks at reasonable prices.

You might find casting those large flies easier with a shooting head rather than a standard WF line. Or perhaps look at one of the specialty saltwater big fish tapers.

Nothing wrong with a 10 weight for what you want to do, but the swing weight will be heavier and you will be throwing a heavier line. Just keep that in mind.

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To me anyway, the Eternity 8 weight have similar power to the Revalation 10 wt., both fish a 10 wt. line equally for what it's worth. You can't unfortunately, pick a number out of the catalog. Another 10 wt. I think you should look at is the MHX F910-4.

Pike and Muskies don't run - they just thrash around a lot. The challenge is to cast the "whole chicken" flys.
A #11 line makes it easier - sometimes a #12 is needed with wind.
You'll be making A LOT of casts so you want a blank with the lightest swing weight and ease of casting you can find.

This is what CTS fly blanks ares known for.
Contact me if you want ideas.
Herb
Distrib. CTS rod blanks

I suppose some additional information that I could add is that I am new to fly fishing. This is my first year fly fishing. I have a 3,5, and 6wts for trout fishing currently. And an 8wt for carp fishing. At the moment I have been fishing Rio Big nasty on my 8wt when pike fishing. I would definitely be open to other blank and line options.

Flies tied with the fine underfur from northern predators become sleek and aerodynamic when they are cast and then puff up into a much bigger profile when immersed in water - and they wiggle and move even while the fly is standing still. Casting big flies made of body, wing, and even tail feathers can be like casting a cocktail umbrella, no matter how stout a rod or heavy a weight-forward line you employ.

My son does a lot of this with a 9 wt Eternity II, which has a CCS power measurement (ERN of almost 10). He says the length of leader is very important casting pike and muskie flies, shorter being better.

The Eternity has a little faster action than the old Rainshadow RX8 line. I'm sure you know that fast is better in the wind but harder to cast properly than slower actions. I have an 8 Eternity for bones and am not an expert caster, but I can do pretty well with it if I keep myself from rushing. I would not shy away from the faster actions for what you want to do.

I'm a big fan of Winston fly rods.. They are pricey though. The Winston alpha series rods will get your flies out there, and have enough power to bring in anything you cat

I'm also a big fan of CTS rods. They are strong, light, and available in any configuration you want. CTS Quarts CrystalGlass are exceptionally strogg.and can be purchased with reasonably fast action.

My best advice echoes that of many others; go to a fly shop. Ask Tell them what you are looking for. Ask if you can test cast several different rods. Bring a reel spooled with the line yoiu will be using, and a big, fluffy fly to tie onto the leader, or tippet.

Remember, musky and pike will often follow a fly right ht to the boat. It is often required to put the rod top into the water to be able to give action to the fly. They are often caught at short distances from you, and so create significant shock to the rod. Your rod needs to be tough, Also, make sure you use strong wrapping thread, and sturdy guides. I hope yiu find your dream rod blank, and create a musky/slamon rod that is exceptional, and that you will be prod od.

Tight lines and drisky fish

RJF

Phil, don,t disparage that cocktail umbrella bug..i used to make them Henshall style..i used a 71/2' pitching rod with 720grain shooting head to get it out there at night..it weighed 160grains when wet but the line still carried it up to 50'..lot,s of excitement when a 7# bass got hung on that big bug..lol.