Hi all!!
Going to build myself a new fly rod and need some opinions because of a problem. Will definitely be a 9-91/2ft 9wt or a blank made for an 8 that would benefit being used as a 9wt.
I use a St. Croix 9x9 Imperial Graphite now and it is good rod. Problem is, and I know that this sounds ridiculous, is that I need either a glass blank or a graphite or combo that reacts and feels more like a glass rod. Graphite reacts and recovers so quickly, it is just too fast for me to fully utilize the rod's capabilities. It's just a physical thing with myself, I can't keep up with it.
I was a much better caster using the large bass & offshore bugs and streamers with my old Orvis Western series rod, but am hoping someone makes a lighter weight blank with similar characteristics.
I probably sound "blank ignorant" but most of my business is repair work and rebuilds on existing rods. Just don't know which blank I need. Thanks a lot, Gary

"moderate" 6.5 or 7 power with lots of punch

Move up a line weight or two or three and your graphite rod will feel more like a glass rod.

Gary,

Overlining will will not solve the problem. Remember Tom K's analogy of a weighed down sports car. If you want a slow action rod, start with slow action blank. Don't use a faster action blank and slow it down. It won't have the power to cast what you want. Lamiglas makes a fiberglass 9 wt. It is 8'6", but that can be easily extended by 6" or even a foot if you want. It is a slow action and will have the traditional fiberglass feel. It is S-glass, so it isn't that heavy, though it weighs in at a stout 5.5 oz. Merrick lists them in their catalog and I'm sure any of the sponsors who offer lamiglas can get one for you.

Thanks,
Rick
rkoontz@andrew.cmu.edu

Gary,

In my experience the St. Croix Imperial Series, especially in the heavier line weights, is about as 'moderate' as 'all graphite' fly rods get (I've heard that some of the Winstons and Scotts are slow, but they are way above anything I'd ever spend for a blank). I really like them, since I have a slower casting stroke, and I've seen very few modern graphite blanks that are slower than these..

If you want slower than that, I'd think you need to go to either all glass, or maybe one of the composites. Or even Bamboo. With the fly fishing public screaming for 'fast' action rods, it's getting harder and harder to find that true 'traditional' fly rod action.

Good Luck!

Buddy

Well, thanks a lot, guys. Sounds like I might have to just go back to a f'glass rod. Getting old and fat and feeble (lazy?) and hoping to get something a little lighter weight than some of the old glass rods were.
Nobody manufactures ANYTHING exactly the way I want it.

Today's idle thoughts of an idle fellow: "life in so unfair" Gary

man, I need a cup of coffee...............

You might do well with a Fenwick rod. Their glass rods are very slow and their graphites aren't far behind. However, if the Imperial series seems fast, I don't know how any other graphite rod will compare. The 9'6" 8wt SCII is a tad slower than the 9' models, and if you put a 9wt line on it, it might be slow enough for your tastes.