Looking for advice on a blank for a 3 wt fly rod. Its for small stream trout fishing so should be in the 8 foot range. I have had good success with Lamiglass, rainshadow and NFC for other applications. Currently looking at Rainshadow, Rod Geeks and NFC for blanks. Sage seems very expensive and not sure its worth it.

Any suggestions are most welcome.

The NFC Gamma Alpha is a nice moderate rod for small streams. Only $60.00 with black Friday code. Can’t speak to the others in the lightweights. The NFC glass 4wt is also nice. But it is a definitely a 4.

I completely agree with Tim. I built the gamma alpha in a 8’ 3 weight and it is spectacular. You would not be disappointed.

I built my 3 weight on a 7' 9" Rainshadow Revelation blank. I really enjoy fishing it.

CTS Vintage 7'6" #4 3 pc.
Built one for Chico Fernandez.
Love it.
Herb
CTS

Steve finlayson Wrote:
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> Sage seems very
> expensive and not sure its worth it.
>
> Any suggestions are most welcome.


I think Sage and the other luxury makers from back in the ‘80’s and 90’s were, and are still top rods. The problem I see is that when they were ahead of more mass produced offerings in technology, they adopted luxury branding strategies. It was an era of ego, and brand names and logos created lots of cachet. They are still tied to this legacy in my opinion. Money is thrown into luxury brand image in marketing, shows, causes, and events. When this paradigm came to be they were so far in front of value-priced makers, that the more money they threw around, the more they could charge. It now seems more like a Louis Vuitton business model, than one that reflects that high modulus graphite, strong resins, good taper design, and quality construction is now available for much less.

A few years ago I built the Classic series 8' 3wt moderate action fly blank - a sweet rod. I think the Gamma Alpha has a similar feel. Finesse, however with decent backbone. With the current sale, as Tim Scott pointed out, it can't be beaten for the price.

Tim/Michal
I found the Gamma/Alpha 3 wt on the NFC website, but can't find anything about materials of construction etc. NFC has great technology/materials but its difficult to figure out how and from what material a particular blank is made, I had this problem with salmon rods I build a few years ago. Used the wrong blanks for downrigger rods and they broke under pressure. NFC was great about it, pointed me at the right blanks and replaced the broken ones with the correct blanks at no charge. Can't say enough good about how they handled it.

Regarding the Gamma/alpha 3 wt blank. It is expensive so I think I'll wait for the next sale, in the mean time I'll contact them about the detail on materials etc.

Thanks for the responses.

SGF

I think it can be had for $60 right now on the Black Friday sale

If you want a good cheap 3wt for small stream applications, the Moonlit Fiberglass 3wt is hard to beat. I built one as a cheap beater rod and it has now become my most used. But if you dont mind spending more money, im sure there are great rods out there. Ive heard nothing but good thing about the CTS Vintage.

Did I mention the NFC Classic series 8' 3wt blank?

I am with Herb on this one. Those CTS Vintage series blanks are phenomenal. Perfect blank for small stream trout (and excel in tight cover.) I haven't tried any of the NFCs in that weight. The Rainshadow, Revelation is a bit fast for my liking for small stream stuff and I don't care for the way it roll casts in tight cover, although it is a great budget build if you have open canopy.