Hi Guys, I am building my first rod and I am having trouble deciding on the blank. Rod will be 9ft 5 weight

Choices so far are St Croix SC111, CTS or Harrison Lorhic; all are between £130 and £150 so price is not the issue.

So the big question which make should I go for? As I have never used any of these I have no idea what the differences are.

Any advice will be greatly received

Thanks

Hi Jeff, well it depends on what you want out of the rod? The SCIII is a moderate blank nice for fishing rivers. I haven't built many of the CTS blanks maybe four or vife and IMHO opinion you can do better allthough they often get raved about.. I have no experience with Harrison well none other then carp blanks...

Jerry

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When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Hi Jeff

What action do you prefer? Mid, mid/tip or tip?

Also, how high up your priorities are things like weight, power reserve, finish etc etc

Regards

Steve

__________________
Steve Parkes

www.atomsix.co.uk

info@atomsix.co.uk

Terenzio silk fly lines

Atomsix furled leaders

previously
www.zenithflyrods.co.uk

Steve, this will be a general use rod for me, I like a 5 weight for both still water and rivers, I suppose middle to tip action . I use a Fenwick Techna AV 5 weight for 90% of my fishing and was told its middle to tip when I purchased and the action does suit me. It’s very light and I can always manage 25 yards if weather is not adverse. So I really want to build a rod with handles pretty much the same.

---------- Post added at 01:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:41 PM ----------

many thanks for info Jerry, and I love the grandfather quote

So after many hours of internet thread and review reading I am going for the Harrison blank, that’s one decision sorted now I am on guides an even bigger minefield. Do I build for looks with snakes or go for single leg Fuji.

I will use this rod a lot and I am sure the Fuji rings are going to last much longer I don’t want to have to redo in a few years’ time.

I must admit I think that Fuji look just plain wrong on a fly rod but at the end of the day I am not going to hang it on a wall to just look at.
I must have spent 15 hours on this rod build so far and I have not ordered anything yet, and I still have to decide on handle, reel fitting and colours

Hi Jef, i don't like to use single leg fuji guides on rods below a seven weight i think they are to heavy... i know a lot of guys do but i tried them all including the titanium fuji's and still thought they were to heavy.. I like snake brand for regular snakes and recoils for single, not the thin wired just the heavy for the recoils.. But being a costum it is your choice and worst case scenario you just take them off and rewrap with something different...

Jerry

__________________
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Hi Jeff

I'm with Jerry on this one. I find the Fujis too heavy even on 7 and 8 weights. Its the tip section they affect the most. On a 5wt rod I would go for either snakes or singles...my preference is for singles, but that me.

Blank wise, lots of people go for the Lohric and they seem to like them.

My best advice is to just get 'stuck in' and build it.

Good luck with it.

Steve

__________________
Steve Parkes

www.atomsix.co.uk

info@atomsix.co.uk

Terenzio silk fly lines

Atomsix furled leaders

previously
www.zenithflyrods.co.uk

Many thanks for the advise

Ok, back to the drawing board, I was going for these Fuji BLAG single leg Fly Guide - Fuji - Rod Guides but will have a re think if you think they are to heavy for a 5 weight.

Can you guys recommend a good maker for single leg snakes, not worried on the price within reason I dont want to spoil the rod for the sake of an extra £20

I have to agree with the above posts.

I think single leg Fuji's on a light rod is the kiss of death, fine for a saltwater 7 or 8 but IMHO they seem to really slow down a 4 or 5 wt blank, I've used H&H (guides & blanks) single leg snakes on a few blanks, cheap and long lasting, of course the fuji's would last for ever, but not for a 5wt.

Happy building, Regs, V

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"Perfection will do"

I would go along with H&H snakes too, I've built a couple of 5 weights with them and they show no signs of wear after more than 5 years of pretty regular use.

Cheers,
--
Bill.