What non-OEM blanks do folks recommend for wrapping up a nice nymping rod? I am thinking 10 - 11 feet, and leaning more towards 11 feet than 10 for extra reach. 3 wt.

More 4 weights available than 3 weights. Batson has a very nice 10ft 6in 4wt Eternity 2 blank.

I've also been looking for Euro specific blanks. It seems like a lot of things out there may just be longer rods in lighter weights and not specifically designed for Euro nymphing. I have seen some euro-specific blanks on a website that is not a sponsor so I don't know if I can share that here. No experience with them though.

PacBay Arctos 10'9" 3wt 4pc

Ron Weber

CTS Affinity X, they make both 10ft and 11ft 3wts, while it may price out a bit more than the above mentioned blanks, its well worth it.

Contact Herb at HNL Rod Blanks.

I have built out several of these blanks for customers and they were very happy with them

Bill,
Thank you.
Yes - the 10'0" or 11'0" in an unpainted Affinity-X are the favorites of builders looking for a nymphing blank.
Please email me for pricing.
Herb

Bill,
Thank you.
Yes - the 10'0" or 11'0" in an unpainted Affinity-X are the favorites of builders looking for a nymphing blank.
Please email me for pricing.
Herb

I second the Pac Bay Arctos.

I have built two euro nymphing rods (i.e. to fish with long mono and sighter): H&H 10' 4wt and PacBay Quickline 10'4 wt. Both are okay. At the end of the day, the Quickline was a much nicer rod (much lighter, better finish, quality). However, both were still, in the end, just standard fly rods in a 10' length. I later purchased a dedicated euro nymphing rod (orvis) and without a doubt the tip on that rod is much softer and I had much better control and feel (contact) for the euro-nymphing set up. With that said, aside from the OEMs, the only blanks I've come across getting built up specifically for this style of nymphing were CTS affiniy's. But you definitely want to check that it is euro application. I'm not saying that a standard 10' fly rod can't be used, but the blank designed for euro-nymphing style does make a difference.

Angelo: My main concern is around what you are stating -- the feel of the tip section. Several of the 9-foot fast action rods I currently own are not good nymphing performers, in my mind. I do have an H&H 9 foot 5 weight that happens to be very good for nymph fishing, and I think it is because the tip is somewhat softer than my other faster action 9 foot rods.

David, et al,
I have heard from builders who built on the #'s 2 and 3 CTS 10'0" and the 11'0" that they make good nymphing rods.
They also say that they could be better it they had softer tips that would enable "flips" better than the stock blank.

Because of this Board's discussion I plan to speak to the CTS senior people to see if they would be willing to design such a dedicated blank.
Regards,
Herb
Distrib. CTS Rod Blanks

That would be great, Herb! I'd be interested for sure. A.

Angelo,
See my post regarding these blanks at the top.
Herb