looking for suggestions for a fly rod blank between 8'6'' and 9'6'' 5 weight. It is to be used for river trout in Colorado.

I'd rather be catching!

Easy question - The CTS Vintage series.
Contact me to zero in on length and your price.
What size are the Trout?
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2022 09:40PM by Herb Ladenheim.

NFC has some great blanks that fit the description

I’d recommend the CTS blanks also, there are 4 models (although they are not all listed on the website, Herb will be able to get it ordered for you).
O
In picking which model you would want, that depends on what type of taper you like best.
Affinity X is their fastest taper, best suited for the 9 to 9-6 lengths in the 5wt.
Affinity MX is just a touch softer than the X. The 8-6 to 9 lengths are best in a 5wt
Affinity M, similar to the above two, with some power reduction in the butt section, again the 8-6 to 9 lengths are best in a 5wt.
Vintage is the “medium” taper, best in 8-6 length, superb stick for delicate presentations with dries.

I fish an Affinity X 965-4 quite a bit on the big rivers here in the east, Delaware for example, it does dries, dry/dropper rigs and with the extra length mends very well when nymphing with an indicator or high sticking nymphs.
I also fish a Vintage in 865-4 when I know dries or dry/dropper rigs are going to be used on mid sized rivers.

The other models can do everything well, but they don’t handle the nymph rigs as well as an Affinity X.

I live in Colorado and would recommend 9 ft length, and not 8' 6".

There are many fine blanks, and it is a matter of what type of fishing you prefer and what type of rod action you like the most. You can get fine blanks from:

North Fork Composites
CTS
Batson Rainshadow
Winston
Mud Hole
Rod Geeks
Epic

to name a few.