Called around and I think I can get a hold of a Lamiglas Certified Pro blank, 8 1/2 ft. XST102 2L, rated 6 to 10 lb. line, 1/4 to 1/2 oz. lure rating, I think it's a lot livelier that the 9 1/2 ft. rods with the same lure rating. I built one for my brother maybe 20 years ago for a smaller river that ran in the back of his property back then, it was designed to be a summer steelhead drift rod but has seemed to work for him year around as long as he isn't fishing heavy flows. Built it as a spinning rod and he has a Shimano 2500 on it, not as fast an action as the Rainshadow 993 which I think is a better bead/yarn ball rod.

I agree. After taking a deep dive with my client on what line wt and gear he actually utilizes lighter gear and wants the sensitivity the the Lamiglas SI series offers. Also found some options with Mudhole MMX.

Thanks for response...reinforces Lamiglas decisions.

Thanks ...checked that out too

Todd Vivian was the designer for Lamiglas for many years than got a job with Mudhole just before the Si blanks came out if I remember right, a good source of Lamiglas and MHX info. Salmon and steelhead are well within his realm.

My client has asked me to order an additional tip section in case of future breakage . I checked with Lamiglas and they can do this . I think Lamiglas is going to present the best solution and I'm impressed with their rod blank specifications that offer solutions for a range of conditions. So far the only thing I'm not happy about is their tech support. They don't respond to your questions . Of course I started my inquiries right after the July 4th holiday and they may have staff gone still. Has anyone had issues with their tech support and warranty coverage? I understand each rod must be registered within 30 days of purchase for the warranty to be validated.

Why not build on a higher end fly blank? Will throw lighter gear than most drift rods.

The problem with fly rod to drift rod builds that I have done is that the blank loading on fly rods and the fly line is completely different than a drift rod blank, it's much more of a progressive loading when throwing a fly line, this means the fly blank when using gear is much happier with lob casting only. So, if you are in the Midwest slower, small stream environment where just hitting the water is all that is really needed, or if you need a multi-piece rod for travel you are in business. Otherwise, I use a gear rod blank, again this is just my opinion, but an educated one.

I've built the Lamiglas 9'6" SI steelhead blank and loven it for casting small spoons up to 1/2 oz in Western Maryland rivers (Yough, North Branch of the Potomac).

I have had 2 concerns with breakage over the last 25 years. Not an issue for their warranty department. 2nd one was my fault, or at least that was agree too, settled the warranty out at a retailer for 40 or 50 for a top section and was back on the water the next day. This of course was a factory rod in both cases.

I have since added 2 custom builds of my own and of course more conscientious of my actions. No worries!

Chris and all,

Got a Lamiglas SI-1082M 9ft rod blank ordered! Thanks for all feedback, much appreciated!!

Chris and all,

Got a Lamiglas SI-1082M 9 ft 10-12# rod blank ordered! Thanks for all your feedback!!

Good luck with the build. Let us know how it turns out!

The Lamiglas Si 90M blanks are about 70% heavier than many of similar rated blank out there. 2 oz. vs 3.4 oz. if that makes a difference to you, none of the other compared blanks are of some new high tech materials they are using in the fly rods and bass rods more than other blanks.