Fly Blank “Wish List”
10-foot, for a 4-line (ERN 4.5-5), high-sticking, nymph/wet-fly blank? It's on the list...
We have been working on getting what we call the “keystone” fly blank—the 905—locked in, and are probably a week away from it. We have the power dead-on, we just want to see a slightly faster action (CCS 66/67-ish) Once we have the pattern set, the other fly blanks in the catalog will come more and more quickly.
But…we are also setting up a “wish list” of fly blanks not shown in the catalog. Some of you have already e-mailed us with your requests, and we say to keep those mails coming. We are holding the master wish list, and it is our plan to work on that list once we know the catalog blanks are off and rolling (and baking).
How about putting some Gary Loomis magic into a line of fiberglass blanks?
It’s not the biggest market these days,but it has seen a resurgence recently, and a lot of fly fishers are finding the delicate line placement and fish playing abilities of fiberglass rods to be quite refreshing. Kerry Burkheimer is rolling a new line for Tom Morgan and I would love to see what Gary can do with them!
Buzz—I still have my first fiberglass fly rod from my early angling days, a little 6-footer. A lot of brookies and little bows fell to that rod. You have a favorite length/line rating/action (or better yet, can you provide CCS values)?
A 10′ 5 or 6wt for float-tube/boat fishing and close range river fishing (high sticking and roll casting).
Guess we are talking ERN/AA around 6.0/67 for the 5wt.
I guess these kind of rods will have to come after you have nailed the 9′ range.
Best,
Grunde
Grunde—There are some 10-footers already lurking here, but they are a bit on the “strong” side (ERN at about 7.5-9.0). A bit much, but I do like the 10-foot class for lighter use, too, so the 1004 and 1005 on the list for sure. Brad and I have been hitting AA 67/68 (with good overall power) with no problems (I have a few other sticks in the AA70+ range and some down as low as AA62), so I think what you’re after will not be too much to ask!
Grunde,
Are there any plans for 9’6″ or 10′ in 9 wt range?
Best,
Paul
I’m also interested in a 9’6″ or 10′ but in an 8 wt. Will these blanks have the light feel and swing weight of the old glx? I would love to build one up for steelhead.
thanks,
Chris
Paul, Chris—I am a fan of the 10-foot for an 8 (and the 10 for a 7, and the 10 for a…). I’ll add your blanks to the wish list.
Jason,
The favorite that I have (and one similar to that which I would love to make available to my customers) is a 7′ 3wt Winston. Mine specs out at only 18 cents which makes an ERN of 1.6 (no wonder it loads so easily!). The action angle is 55.
That being said, Fiberglass in the heavier line ratings would be fantastic. It is very difficult to find any above 5wt. I have clients who would love a 7 or 8wt 7′ or 7.5′.
All of the CCS data I can find for fiberglass shows that they spec out with an ERN that is on average 60.5% of the marked line weight.
Average AA is 61.8.
If you do roll some of these for testing purposes, I volunteer to drive up and be a guinea pig.
Buzz
Ripon, CA
would love to see the old 9′9″ 5 wt come back, and it would be great to have a 9 1/2′ 9 wt!
p.s. i’m with buzz on the glass, especiall in the heavier weights. love throwing them for stripers!
I’m all for seeing a 9’6″ 9wt.(preferably 4 piece) in the saltwater series for throwing leadcore.
@Buzz, Dennis and Doug—Thanks for the input! It is truly appreciated, and the wish-list is growing. I have requests for everything from 6-foot glass through 16-foot doubles. Production blanks really are nearing production. We have decided to have another look at a couple of alternate mandrels, which of course meant we had to do a few runs of butt and tips and then fuss over everything, but we’ll be taping guides on the good pieces tomorrow and Friday and hopefully there will be blanks to build on not long after…
I sure would like to see a bass-legal (7’11″) series of fly rod blanks. Thanks for asking!
Hi Jason
Are there any trout fishing rods 4 class? 8.6-9 ft?
Best regards,Alexandr
lol,Green LED Fishing Lights will helpful for your fishing.
I, like Buzz, would love to see a 3wt in the 7′ to 7’6″ range for tighter streams and creeks.