Good news
Stephen Pratt- founder of CTS - has agreed to design and produce a series of blanks dedicated to European Nymphing.
The purpose is to provide builders with the softer tip required for this type of presentation.
I will provide any Member of RB.org. and any person referred by a Member, a 30% discount through the balance of 2020.
I would welcome any and all feedback on these blanks to be sure we get it right.

These are the blanks:
FY1002-4
FY1003-4
FY1102-4
FY1103-4

Thanks for your input to make this happen.
Regards
Herb



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/2020 04:34PM by Herb Ladenheim.

That's awesome Herb, thank you! I'll touch base with you via email this weekend. Many thanks. Angelo.

How can I tell when a rod has "a softer tip"? Compared to what, and how?

The comparison, for CTS' purposes would be vs the stock 10'0", 11'0" Affinity-X #2 and #3, which for CTS fans, are the definitive Euro nymphing blanks. So for those builders who feel that the stock "X"'s tip is too stiff, the "FY" series may be the answer.
BTW - I heard from a friend of mine who is of the opinion that the tip on the stock 11'0" Affinity-X is near perfect for nymphing.
So, obviously this new series will be welcomed by some - and a non-event by others.
Herb

Why no 10'6"? That is a preferred length by some especially in the 3 weight.

After reviewing comments about the popularity of a 10'6" blank - AND - that the tip on the 11'0" blank is not too stiff - CTS has decided to start with two blanks:

FY1062-4
FY1063-4

This can be expanded in the future if the interest is there.
Herb

Herb,
Will these be available to ship to Canada? I’d definitely be interested in the 10’6” #2. This time of year calls for small nymphs with small beads so a very soft tip is needed but still need that heavy butt to fight the fish. I’ve found that some of the longer 2 weights end up being so sloppy that the blank wobbles all over the place when casting and fishing. I’m not sure it’s possib but maybe something a bit faster in action made of a high modulus material to maintain sensitivy and have the better recovery to get rid of the sloppiness.

Ross,
I don't know how familiar you are with CTS fly blanks?
The Affinity-X line that will be modified to design the FY blanks are rated Fast-Extra fast.
Depowering the tip will make them even faster - but should not feel "sloppy" at all.

I have an email in to Stephen Pratt to provide more details.
Regards, and thanks for the interest,
Herb

Herb, what does "FY" stand for with regard to the new blanks?Is that a model they currently have and are melding with the affinity X? Or is FY what they'll be calling the Euro-nymph blanks? Thanks. A.

Angelo,
"FY" will be the designation for the new Euro Nymphing blanks.
I don't know how, or why, Stephen chose FY.
Herb

Herb,
I don't understand "Depowering the tip will make them even faster - but should not feel "sloppy" at all.". Maybe I just don't know the terminology, but I take depowering to mean a softer tip. Isn't softer sort of equivalent to slower (more moderate) action?
Dale