Hi Dudley,

Sorry for the delayed response to your questions, but I am dealing with a personal family issue so I have not been on-line much.

I would definitely recommend that you go into Cotes and wiggle a few blanks. I found the blanks that worked for me through trial and error ordering on the web, but nothing beats actually feeling what a blanks flex characteristics are like.

I would start with the 2 and 3 power blanks for an 8/9 wt. The SPG842 or 843 would most likely hit the mark for a 7' 8 or 9wt, if I had to guess. Glad others are trying these blanks as they are really fun to build.

Jim, thanks again for writing the article and bringing these blanks to others attention.

Lou