Wtb 10ft Or Longer Rod/blank

[jjtroutbum]

Decided that this would be my next useful style of rod probably a 5 or 6 weight would be ideal.

If you don't have one ideas on finding them would be helpful. Seems I can find them from UK online but figured Someone my have one laying around collecting dust

Looking to do this on the Cheap just to keep living up to my screen name ala BUM

JJ

[JobyKSU]

Not sure why I missed this the first time, but I was considering the same so I'll give you my input.

I identified three different approaches:

1) Standard fly rod blanks - Dorber manufactures some nice feeling blanks. 10 ft 2 piece rods in 1,2,3, or 4 weight. I'm pretty fascinated by these blanks, and at some point I'll likely build one. About $60

2) Switch rod blanks - There are a number of good choices out there, and you don't have to break the bank to do it. Batson makes a 10'8" 4 piece 5wt switch blank that is under $90 and that builders have been absolutely amazed at. It's light enough you could build it up as a one-hander, but if you built it as a true switch then you might be able a little bit more versatile for you.

3) Build a true light spey - There are a number of good light spey rods and blanks out there. I went a bit more expensive route, but I got a 12'6" 3/4/5 weight trouter from Meiser. There are a few specific spots that I'd like it for both throwing streamers, long distance indicator nymphing, high sticking, and of course swinging wets at places like Rim Shoals. This option is probably the most costly and time consuming (learning new casting style), but signs point to it becoming more and more popular.

Let us know what decide to do, especially if you have a build report on those Dorber blanks!

[SteveP]

Joby, I am a rod builder of sorts and have been building on the Dorber blanks for a while now and have been really impressed with them for the cost, not to menion the customer support is great I have had noissues and the tiny "problems" I have had were taken care of with a short phone call and a converstation with a gentlman named Steve (good name for such a nice guy )

Couple question I have though... Do you like that Meiser blank??? I have been thinking of grabbing a couple to give a try but the price point is a bit of a draw back for me. Also have you cast one of the batson switch blanks??? I had one in hand but it didn't have a reel or line so I was left to the "wiggle" test and was fairly impressed with it.

Steve

[SteveP]

Joby, I am a rod builder of sorts and have been building on the Dorber blanks for a while now and have been really impressed with them for the cost, not to menion the customer support is great I have had noissues and the tiny "problems" I have had were taken care of with a short phone call and a converstation with a gentlman named Steve (good name for such a nice guy )

Couple question I have though... Do you like that Meiser blank??? I have been thinking of grabbing a couple to give a try but the price point is a bit of a draw back for me. Also have you cast one of the batson switch blanks??? I had one in hand but it didn't have a reel or line so I was left to the "wiggle" test and was fairly impressed with it.

Steve

[JobyKSU]

Couple question I have though... Do you like that Meiser blank??? I have been thinking of grabbing a couple to give a try but the price point is a bit of a draw back for me. Also have you cast one of the batson switch blanks??? I had one in hand but it didn't have a reel or line so I was left to the "wiggle" test and was fairly impressed with it.

Steve

Steve - I'm still quite the amature when it comes to two-handed rods, so take my personal experience with a grain of salt. The Meiser blank seems fantastic. It loads smoothly and has a surprising amount of backbone for a "fairy wand." I could have gotten quality blanks for a bit less somewhere else, but Bob Meiser spent a little over an hour on the phone talking to me about the advantages of this rod vs. that rod - including good recommendations for rods that were from other companies. He's very generous with his time. Further, if you can ever find a used Meiser rod for sale, the price is often nearly that of the new ones. That being said, if I ever get another Meiser, I am definitely having him build it for me. Bob is a true artist and is able to turn rods into something you can hand your wall.

I have not cast the Batson switch, although the 6/7 wt is quickly becoming the sweetheart of switch rod builders. I have built on a couple of Batson blanks, however, and even at twice the price they make fantastic rods. The Batson family is also very accessible if you have any questions or problems. Good reviews combined with good service and low price is hard to beat.

Hope this helps!

[SteveP]

I've been eyeballing a couple of Meiser blanks and think that will be my next personal rod. I have a ton of rods and will most likely hav to try and sneek this one in under the radar... if you know what I mean (wifey and all). I have built a good handfull of the batsons for customers and had one that I used for myslef but had a kid at Bennett talk me out of it last summer. I don't know about the spey blanks and all but I have been kinda curious and all so I'll keep an eye out.

Steve