I am planning on building a 9' 7wt fly rod. I have owned a few of the original IMX fly rods in the past and really enjoyed them. Loomis is stating that the new "Slate" blanks are the old IMX blanks with a new paint job. I am a bit sceptical because in the past, I received a GL4 rod for a broken IMX and they felt totally different. I was VERY dissapointed in the performance of the GL4. Any opinions would be appreciated.

I have been told, by someone knowledgeble in the industry, that the new IMX blanks are not the same actions as the old. If that is correct, then Loomis has merely reintroduced the IMX fiber and developed new actions. That is too bad, for the old IMX actions were superior instruments but their replacements (GL3 and GL4) were real dogs. I think you should be skeptical and move very slowly. If you want a series of factory blanks that come close to the old IMX, I suggest you investigate the IM700 fibers and actions from Lamiglas, of if you are satisfied with a house brand blank, look into the Custom Builder III series fron Dale Clemens Custon Tackle.

That's the first time I have ever head anyone call any of the GL3 blanks 'dogs'!

I didn't care for the GL4's but still rank the GL3's as among the greatest rod blanks every built. The all around performance and price has put them in a postition that makes them the blanks that everyone else compares to. They're also pretty darn tough considering the level of performance and I don't think the IMX can take anywhere near the rough handling of the GL3.

Just my opinions.

I like GLoomis rods, but things have changed sence Shimano took over onwership. You can't go by LOOMIS's old blank rateing also materals have changed in the last couple of years this goes for any rod manufacture. So all I can say is look around to find a manufactured rod and see if that is the action you are looking for. Then use a rod to blank conversion chart to get the blank you want.
Bob

I've the GL4 9 weight and I prefer it to the GL3s and IMXs that I've tried. One man's meat another man's poison.

I asked Gary Loomis about the new IMX blanks when I saw him at the Conclave this weekend. He told us that the original IMX had a graphite scrim, but the new ones have a glass scrim. I asked if they had the same tapers as the originals and he said no. Originally he designed the IMX fly rods with a stiff tip to cast weighted flies. Since they are no longer offering GLX blanks, they designed the new IMX blanks to cast more like the GLX than the old IMX.