Too many choices and I’m way over-thinking this but I’m looking to add a 9’ 7-weight and a 9’ 10-weight to the Affinity-X 8-weight I just built for a trip to Belize next year. The 7-weight will be for bonefish on calmer days and the 10-weight for permit and juvenile/resident tarpon. The 7-weight will likely also be used for some local carp fishing.

I spent a little more than I was planning on the Affinity-X so for the 7 and 10 I was looking at the Rodgeeks Carbon 4 blanks. With shipping, the average cost per blank works out to about $130 (and yes I have a spreadsheet for this).

But with the current NFC sale, I can get a 7 and 10 weight GammaBeta for $180 per blank inclusive of their shipping, excise fee, and everything else they pile on.
I know this is subjective and in the eye of the caster, but I’m interested in your opinions – is the $50 premium per blank worth it? This $50 premium can also be eliminated by adding a 3rd blank to the NFC order. With the 75% discount on 3 blanks, the per blank cost drops to $133.

Thanks,
Mike J

IMO yes the Gamma Beta is worth the extra $

Thanks Phil. I appreciate the input.

Hard to beat Eternity II.

Michael Danek Wrote:
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> Hard to beat Eternity II.

There's a curveball. Normally they would be another $50 per blank but GetBit has a 20% sale now on Eternity 2 blanks. That means the price per blank is $175 so a little lower than the GammaBeta sale price. What weights have you built? Batson bills these as extra fast.

Anyone have experience with both the Eternity 2 and the GammaBeta? How do they compare? Wish we had CCS data on both to make this easier.

Thanks,
Mike J

I have built two 8's and a 9. I use one 8, my son, a better caster than I the other. He also has the 9. I have CCS data on them if you are interested. The description of "fast" on fly rods is different than that for other blanks. The Eternity's are faster than the old Rainshadow RX8's , quite close to the Pac Bay Quickline fly rods. I don't know the CCS of the others you are considering.

The Eternities are on the high side of power for their "rating," as are all other fly rods I've checked. I have not checked the Rodgeeks and NFC's.

NFC shows rod shapes, and have told me that I can get CCS from their site/data, but I don't see it, and they did not respond to my request for help on getting it.

Email me for my CCS on the Eternities, maybe someone else can give you CCS on the others.

This is what I have for the 8wt. in the Gamma Beta lineup:

ERN: 10.33 (86c) 276gr. line
AA: 67
CCF: 83.2

Roman, I have sent a couple messages to your emai address and have received error messages. ????

Michael Danek Wrote:
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> Roman, I have sent a couple messages to your emai
> address and have received error messages. ????

Hmm.. that's weird. I just checked my profile, it shows the right address. Airs98 at yahoo.

Roman, successfully sent a message this AM.

In the absence of any actual data (numbers, facts) about the performance of fly rods we are left with personal preference and hearsay from fly casters of widely varying proficiency in unknown environments. For example, an angler who does a lot of roll casting might not like the same rod as the angler who does a lot of double-hauling? The rod's make, model, and price don't reveal a lot about its suitability for an angler of unknown casting ability fishing in an unknown environment at unknown distances and unknown depths.

Phil, the person we are dealing with here knows his casting ability and he is getting actual rod performance numbers to help guide his decision. Rods' make and model identify a reputation that coupled with the numbers can pretty well define its suitability for the use this particular person intends. And the opinions of experienced, expert, builders and fly fishermen have value.

Any of the above mentioned blanks are good and could be what you consider the best fly rod you ever built. I prefer NFC especially for the price, although I don't think you could go wrong with any of the other blanks mentioned. It's like shooting at the ground, you can't miss.

Lance Schreckenbach Wrote:
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> Any of the above mentioned blanks are good and
> could be what you consider the best fly rod you
> ever built. I prefer NFC especially for the price,
> although I don't think you could go wrong with any
> of the other blanks mentioned. It's like shooting
> at the ground, you can't miss.

Thanks for the perspective Lance and everyone else as well. I'm going to pull the trigger on the NFC blank largely on value since both the Eternity 2 and GammaBetas have good reputations. With GetBit's 20% off on the Eternity 2 blanks, the total cost for the 7 and 10 weight would be $356. If I get the 7 and 10 weight GammaBetas, the cost would $368 so pretty comparable. Here's the crazy thing though, if I add a 9' 5 weight classic blank to the NFC order, the total price DROPS to $356 so I actually save a bit of $ and get a 3rd blank that I can build into a gift rod.

For the handle, my plan is to use the ALPS R-CAH LXL2 real seat in gunsmoke, the Batson super-grade Full Wells grip and 1.5" fighting butt. For guides, I'm going to try the ALPS titanium (TIMXN) casting guides, REC double-foot snakes and REC tip-top. For the 10-weight, I'm thinking 20, 16, 12 and size 4 runners. For the 7 weight, I thinking 20, 12 and size 2 runners. Am I screwing anything up here?

I really appreciate all the wisdom on this board and the willingness to share experiences.

Thanks,
Mike J



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/29/2021 02:37PM by Mike Juliana.

If it was me Mike.....I'd feel like a good quality salt water fly rod blank could fish two line classes. Likely it's rated line and one class up. So I'd add a NFC 6 wt, 10 wt...and a 12 wt (because you know it is just a matter of time before sailfish, and maybe marlin, are on the dream trip list).

Besides, you need to get at least 3 of the NFC blanks, and the higher end they are, the better the effective discount. Not like you couldn't sell one later on when they stop having specials:) Plenty of non-fly rod blanks I'd recommend too that could prove useful on your trip. So add the Xray SJ 703-1 and the HS 7600-2 to the cart and feel lucky to have bought five great blanks to the arsenal at such savings. Oh, make it six and get the Xray SJ 736-1.

Tell your wife it is like shoe/purse shopping. When you are getting 75% off you can buy a bunch, sell a few, and get a lot of nice stuff for free. Of course that whole line of reasoning works better when you are bringing home edible fish:)

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Mike I'm trying to respond to your email, but my work computer and server and not allowing me to contact you again? it dislikes your email/warning. Our district was hacked last year and they went over the top. Send me a phone # and I'll send you pics and info on my wife's or sons phone I do not have a cell nor do I want one.
Forecast carbon fiber full wells and butt
Black REC guides
Black metallic thread A with black pigment in the epoxy just over wraps, rest of rod is unfinished
Gunmetal hook holder and double lock ring hardware and the insert on the seat is the lighting on the top left of this site. [www.woodturningz.com].
The rod has the Lord Vader name given to it by some friends.
I might pull the trigger on more NFC blanks, not building any fly rods now, getting ready for icefishing and have 6 blanks to make into rods. So the NFC blanks will be here by ice out.

I don't make rod recommendations to fly casters I don't know and have never seen casting - because bad advice is worse than no advice at all.

Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> I don't make rod recommendations to fly casters I
> don't know and have never seen casting - because
> bad advice is worse than no advice at all.


A good opening requisite for the salt casting I found is the double haul so there is a opening bid??? I do like the action and power of my gamma for this. I'm I a pro, not even close have I tried to double haul other rods- yep.