Reply With QuoteThanks Kevin, I have e-mailed them. Also looking at Gatti blanks, made in Italy. Claimed to be the best blank in the world! (If you believe their website)
Steelhead
Neil, another option for you could be CTS. Absolutely fantastic blanks, made in New Zealand, and extremely well rated by custom builders worldwide. I have fished them side-by-side with the name rods from well-known international brands, and the CTS rods are at least as good. They have endless options and will even customise a blank to your specification.Originally Posted by NeilRowe
I think that their Maxim range would suit your requirements nicely. The blank will cost you about NZ$200 plus freight (FX rate is about 5.50 at the moment)
http://www.ctsfishing.com/index.htm
Steelhead
Thanks Kevin, I have e-mailed them. Also looking at Gatti blanks, made in Italy. Claimed to be the best blank in the world! (If you believe their website)
Hookjaw
For those of you who think I am always running down Americans or USA sourced rods, perhaps I have given the wrong impression.
Many American rods are very good indeed. The only thing I have against them is the UK price which is astronomical.
I do in fact own a Sage rod, a XP 9 1/2 foot 6 weight which actually throws a 7 weight line (Snowbee XS) better than a 6. That alone tells you a story about Sage's line ratings.
Americans over the years have done a great deal to eliminate the mystique of fly fishing and bring it within the reach of the ordinary man and that is good. However they have also created an elite, who go around with Sage fly rods, $400 reels etc.
"3,000 Bucks on the Hoof", as one American angling writer put it.
It seems that fly fishing is following the type of hype being put out in the sport of golf, and by crikey you should read the utter bullshit that is spoken of in that industry.
It reminds me of the famous golfer Lee Trevino who was giving a golfing talk to a group of young aspirant yuppy type executives.
"So what is the secret of a good golf shot?" he asked the group.
"The grip" said one of them.
So Trevino took an old decrepit club in ONE hand and hit a ball 250 yards dead straight.
Trevino repeated the question
"The latest set of High Tech Clubs"
Trevino passed around the ancient club he had just used for the shot/
Trevino again repeated the question
"The Stance" shouts one of the yuppies.
Trevino stands on one leg and belts the ball 250 meters.
After asking for the secret several more times, Trevino finally tells the group what it was.
I am sure those of you who play golf do too.
Hookjaw
Gatti Blanks made in Italy??
They are very good blanks.
Steelhead
Yes agreed, first class blanks, but if I'm not mistaken, don't come any lighter than 5 wt. Please corrct me if I'm wrong
Steelhead
Incorrect. I built a Gatti FRC 8'0 3wt last year as my river rod. Both Neil and Mike have tried it. What did you guys think honestly? I think it's a sweet rod, ruined only by the crappy silkscreened logo on the blank. If they can't silkscreen properly, they should just leave it off.
Steelhead
Chaps
I received an e-mail from CTS with an attached pdf catalogue. Very interesting. Prices are good (as Kevin stated) but, for the new breed of Cape stream fishermen (who struggle to control drag due to lip currents and "high stick" all the time or who practice dubious tactics such as czech nymphing), they make a 10' 3 wt and even 11' 3 wt.
For the rest of us mortals they certainly have a comprehensive range of trout rod blanks - they even do a 0wt, the only company besides Sage that do this AFAIK.
Steelhead
Steelhead
Me? I never tried your rod. You're confusing me with someone else
Steelhead
On its way via e-mail
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks