I always end up turning to you all when I am tired and confused. I have never built on fiberglass and planned on my first build being a spinning rod but now have changed thinking and want to do a small river fly rod. I have read about Epic, Echo, CTS and NFC. I don't think Echo sells blanks but they seem like a good rod. I am pretty set on building my own since that is a lot of the enjoyment and pride in owning any rod at this point in my life. The blanks seem fairly expensive other than NFC. Right now they have a flash sale...about 50% off but then charge a surcharge and flat rate shipping of $30. The cost of the blank comes to around $120. That is for a 7' 6" 4 wt. Might even go to 3 wt. So...with the knowledge and experience you all might have with these blanks and companies, I welcome any suggestions and opinions. Is it worth it to pay $230 for a CTS or Epic blank or is the NFC equally as good or better. I have built two spin rods on NFC graphite and they are nice rods. I have no experience with fiberglass at all. Please help.Thanks much!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2020 09:41AM by Todd Andrizzi.

The NFC Iconoglass are very nice blanks. I built and fished a 4wt in Idaho/Montana for 10 days this fall and absolutely love it! It is faster than many fiberglass rods I have fished before, yet has the fun characteristics of glass when fighting a fish. A couple of guides tried it commented very favorable about it.

thanks Phil! That's the NFC I am looking at.

Todd,
Your email is hidden.
Either "un-hide" it or email me hladen@hotmail.com
U.S. CTS Rep

Fiber glass will feel much softer and slower in action than graphite. While there is nothing bad about that, it will not fish comparably to graphite. For a 3 or 4 weight for smaller streams and smaller fish it would be fine.

I've never fished with or built on fiberglass. Mostly what I fish is smaller streams. Fish are usually a pound or smaller. Building on fiberglass is like a new adventure for me. Thanks David

I think a glass rod would be just fine in the fishing circumstance you describe. Of course glass can be fished in any situation or line weight, but my personal opinion is that it is particularly suited to use is in smaller waters where rod weight or the need for bombing long casts is not a factor. But a nice double taper line on the rod and you may really like it.

Thanks for the responses and your opinions!! it's very nice to have access to some of the greatest minds on the planet associated with roadbuilding. I'm not a guy that blows smoke up peoples back sides...I truly mean that. I am very proud of the things I have learned and to be able to put a fishing rod together. Thanks to all and have a great 2021! I look forward to a "normal" year.

Todd, That federal tax is on all guns and ammo, archery equipment, fishing tackle and rods, and boat fuel among I bet other things, you just see it up front at NFC. The conservation tax is used by both federal and state governments in their conservation efforts.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2021 11:47AM by Spencer Phipps.

Thanks Spencer.