I'm getting ready to build my next fly rod. I'm looking to build something in a 3wt 7'6" - 8'6" range with a medium flex for smaller streams for dry fly and small nymphs. I'm trying to decide between "top of the line" (Sage LL, Winston Pure) or a medium priced blank from CTS (Affinity M), TFO or maybe even NFC. One problem is casting before I purchase. I can probably get my hands on the TFO, Sage or Winston rods to test cast and then buy the blank through that shop. For the CTS and NFC I will have to buy without casting.

Thoughts on "higher end" versus CTS, TFO, NFC?

Recommendations on a 3wt blank to consider?

Thanks...

For "smaller" streams you will not have to cast more than 40'. Any fly rod made, coupled with the right line, is easily capable of casting 40' and then some. And like any baseball can be thrown for a strike any fly rod is accurate. The user, not the tool, does the job. If there is a fly-fishing club near you I would advise you to visit it. Members will gladly let you test-cast their fly rods. Successful fly casting depends upon three things: the user, the line, and the rod - in that order, in my opinion. No amount of ads, touts or testimonials will change that.

Mike: There is no accounting for taste, and every rod maker I am aware of has produced some pretty good fly rod blanks and some real dogs. Even rod banks of the same make and model but for different line weights can vary greatly in performance and "feel". I wouldn't buy a car without driving it. I wouldn't buy a fly rod without test casting it. I belong to a fly fishing club, so test-casting rods AND lines makes choosing rod blanks much easier. I think successful fly casting depends equally upon three things: the caster, the line, and the rod - in that order.

i love the Winston, CTS, NFC, and Epic blanks. I have not been disappointed in the quality of those products. Are you lookin fg for carbon, fiberglass, oer a composite mix of the two?

My Winston is a 7 weight BIIIX, nine footer, a little large for what you want. It behaves very nicely on the water. I also have a CTSD three weight Crystal Glass that performs every bit as nicely as the Winston, and lays down flies like a feather dropping on the water. It is a strong rod though, with great feedback to my hands on the back cast, and when something decides to nibble on my flies, or nymphs. I haven't built on the CTS carbon blanks, but understand from reviews, and from Herb, that they perform even better than the quarts Crystal Glass.I haven't used the Epic rod blanks, but they have a stellar reputation. I'm not really a Sage fan as they tend to be faster actions that don't protect the tippet as well as the Winston, or CTS blanks.

Of course, this is all my own opinion, so take it for what it's worth. As the others have said, the only way you will really know for sure if you like a particular rod is to test drive it. I hope whatever blank yu build on serves you well.

Tight lines and frisky fish

RJF

Mike,
Naturally my recommendation would be for the CTS product.
For your purposes I would opt for either the Glass 7'6", #3 or the Carbon Affinity-MX vs the Affinity-M. The MX is not listed on the CTS website - but is still available.
Email me for more info and my pricing for RB.org Members.
Regards,
Herb
CTS Rep

Mike the test drive would be the ultimate decider but I believe that you need to have an idea of the action that you would want, for instance; do you want something fast, something slow or in between. Once you get that figured out you would have a better chance of getting one that you have not tried but based on the manufacture's description of the action. I have not found too many duds in 3wt blanks, but I am sure they are out there.

NFC is a top blanks and they are having an insane sale right now. a 4 weight mod action, normally $163.80. for $57.33. For that price, if I were in the market, I'd be buying NFC right now. There Xroy blanks are also on sale.

Tight :ines and frisky fish

RJF

I agree with Robert on the NFC blank. At that price you can't go wrong. I just finished a 6wt on their classic blank. Best casting rod I own now. I'm replacing my whole arsenal of high end production rods with them.