Hi folks. New here. Not a builder, but looking at getting a custom fly rod built. Builder likes the XI blanks and the price point is really attractive. I have one of his rods (6'6" 2wt) and I dig it.
I've been told elsewhere that the CTS Affinity, specifically the MX, is a very good blank.
Looking at a 10'4wt for general fly fishing, not ESN; have a rod for that. Mostly intermountain west trout fishing, no salt/salmon fishing.
I have been unable to find really anything in the way of comparisons on these blanks.
I currently have some decent rods and like the way they cast/fish, but don't have a 10' and looking to get one, especially for float tube/pontoon use. I think I prefer a med/fast action rod (have 9' Centric, Sky-G, Asquith, and Stickman) and I understand that these blanks will fit in with that crowd.
The price difference on the blanks is not significant for me.

Anyone able to speak to the comparison?
Thanks much.

Charlie

I’ve never built on or fished an XI blank, but I have plenty of experience with CTS blanks. Personally, I’d steer you away from a 10’ 4wt single hand for float tube fishing. I use a 9’-6” 5wt Affinity X for that type of fishing. The 5wt offers more versatility, handles dries, nymphs, and if you get into mini sink tip or intermediate heads, having that bit of extra weight compared to a 4wt just gets the job done easier. Going to a 10ft single hand really does not add any casting distance either. I also use my 9-6 for indicator nymphing, it mends very well and can lift a decent amount of weight with a double nymph rig.

One of sponsors Herb, HNL Rod blanks is an agent for CTS, he can set you up with a blank.

Just and FYI, the Affinity MX blanks are very good, just stay 9ft and under with those blanks. They are great all around trout rods, really excellent for dry and dry/dropper fishing.

Thank you Bill.

Charlie,
Bill is correct re length.
All blanks have a practical length limit.
I recently built an FX10610-4 for a client - his choice against my opinion.
That exceded the "X" limit of 10'.

The MX is a wonderful blank - I have customers who like it up to 9'6" - but in an 8wt.

I like Bll's recomendation for you.
Contact me re RB.Org special pricing. Or - you can have Bill build it for you.

Re choice of blanks - there is a meaningful difference in pricing of your two blank choices. For the quality - CTS is not at all overpriced - the old saying: you get what you pay for.
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2024 11:04AM by Herb Ladenheim.

Herb; sent you an email yesterday... Would like to speak with you by phone if possible. Let me know if you didn't get it. Thanks.

Charlie

Charlie,
No emails in Inbox or Junk.
Did you send via my Website of by clicking on my name on RB.org.
Your email is hidden.
Herb

It was provided to me by Todd Jensen yesterday and I just copied what he sent me. Looks the same. I know how flaky mail systems can be. LOL...
Cell is 925 890 3517. Thanks.

Charlie

I am not certain as to the origin of Xi blanks. Hook and Hackle has produced its own line of Xi blanks for many years, and has a new generation now on their website. They have sourced their blanks for various producers over the years, at one point form Gary Loomis in a earlier iteration of NFC. I suspect the H&H Xi are now sourced from a foreign blank maker.

Various other on-line purveyors seem to have blanks called "Xi," and I do not know if they are the same or different, I think all a bit different. So I would say caveat emptor.

I have made an previous rendition of a Hook and Hackle Xi fly blank, a 9 ft. 5 wt. It is a respectable rod, albeit not the lightest, with a decent medium action and an attractive green color. Their new XI blanks are upgraded and lighter and faster. Custom Fly Rod Crafters in Albq. NM, has their own version of budget-priced Xi blanks. I have not built one, but CFRC is a highly reputable retailer of rod making goods and offers impeccable service. Their Xi blanks are their low priced offering. Other Xi blanks are mostly an on-line exercise and I would be wary of many of them.

Regardless, IMHO you could not in any way compare a Xi blank to one from CTS, Epic, NFC, etc. In general, in a blank, you get what you pay for. I can recommend a Xi blank from Hook and Hackle, but would not dare compare it to more expensive blanks I have made from Epic, NFC, Sage, or Batson.

I do not know Herb, but his reputation on this Forum is impeccable, his service highly rated, and CTS blanks are generally considered among the top fly rod blanks in the world. They are not cheap, but he will source you a great blank and provide the highest quality customer service. So you cannot go wrong in that route.

If you want a top-flight fly rod, and blank price is not an issue, I would say go CTS, Epic G, NFC Epitome or Gamma Betta or Alpha, or Batson's newest Eternity. The top line MHX blanks are good, and Rod Geeks fly blanks are a solid value. Or you can get at a very high price a Sage Core 8 or Winton blank and have it custom made to your specs.

A 10 ft. 4 wt may limit some of your choices. In most cases I think a 9 ft. 4 weight will work just fine. There are a few 10' blanks out there, though.

Unless you fish a lot of Chironomids I can't imagine wanting a 10 ft. rod, even then it's a lot of rod to hold horizontally all day.

David,
Thank you,
herb

david taylor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> …….
> Custom Fly Rod Crafters in
> Albq. NM, has their own version of budget-priced
> Xi blanks.
…..



This got my attention. I built a 9’ 8-weight 4-pc on an Xi blank some years ago, and I like its medium-fast action very much. I was hoping to build a 9-weight version of this rod, but H & H has replaced them with something else. What does Custom Fly Rod Crafters call their version of these blanks?