First rod

Hie guys, I’m planning to purchase a blank to wrap my very first rod, but I have no idea of what should I buy or where, how to choose components etc, could you please give me some direction

Best regars

CC

joe told me that all of hook and hackles im6 kits now have batson blanks (they make the forecast) ans there is a big sale on now.
just a little tidbit for ya



roger
princess anne, eastern shore of md.

Plus, I believe H&H offers a 20 percent
discount if you order on line, and another
10 percent if it’s your first order.
Impressive! Warm regards, Jim

I built my first one with a Hook & Hackle kit and recommend for a first time build, that’s the way to go. Good company to deal with and great service. .Good luck on your first build.
Crackleback (Bob A)

Hook & Hackle hands down!!
Bob is one great guy and will help you with your selection if just ask him!
I don’t even place “Formal” orders, just email what I want/need and he ships it out the next day!!
I lost a guide for a Forecast Rod I’m building and ordered a full set just to be safe. He is shipping the set Monday and replacing the lost guide too, I know I lost it!! What great service for a 5 buck order!!


I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!

Cactus AKA “Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)”

I too am thinking of building my own rod this winter . I haven’t a clue how but that never stopped me from learning to tie flies and that worked out ok . I really would like to have a Bamboo rod of my own . Is it folly to start on a bamboo rod ? should one start with graphite till they know what the heck they are doing ?

I probably already know the answer . lol

[This message has been edited by Gnu Bee Flyer (edited 30 October 2005).]

I checked out H&H and cannot believe what a good deal they have on kits . I’m gonna start one of theirs .

I was gonna say define very very rich . The temptation was there but reason took over and I let it go . I am just able to stay a tiny bit ahead of almost poor never mind rich .

Thanks to all for ur advice, I think I’ll buy from H&H, have seen their catalog and the prices are very reasonable, well as someone said. another adiction hehehehe I’l let you know what happends.

Best regards

CC

I suppose you have already decided what length, line weight you are going to build based upon the type of fishing you will be doing.
I have been dealing with Hook and Hackle sence before FAOL was a gleam in JC and LF’s eyes. Every transaction was flawless.

Bob at Hook & Hackle has been a great supporter of our program. We are very happy with the way he promotes our products. Be looking for more of the Batson Enterprises - Rainshadow/Forecast products available from him in the future. If anyone ever has any questions in regards to our products please feel free to contact us. One of the great services we provide to everyone is that all of the salesmen at Batson Enterprises - Rainshadow/Forecast are experience rodbuilder.
Thank you to everyone for your support, we are here for the industry.
Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast products
877-875-2381
batson@batsonenterprises.com [url=http://www.batsonenterprises.com:f1f2a]www.batsonenterprises.com[/url:f1f2a]

I frequent most of the popular sites that we sponsor. This is one way we keep up with the custom rodbuilders opinions on our product line. This company started 26 years ago by my father ( Bob Batson ) out of the house as a custom rodbuilder( Phantom Custom Rods in Maui ). I and all of the sales staff here are custom rodbuilders. We are here for the Art of custom rodbuilding, along with our OEM programs & Distributor programs. I do post when folks ask direct questions in regards to our products or if there is a misrepresentation of our products. The Vision Continues - To supply High Quality Rod Blanks & Rod Building Components at reasonable prices and back it up with exceptional customer service.
Thank you to everyone who support our programs…If anyone ever has any questions in regards to our products please feel free to contact us.
Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast product lines
877-875-2381
batson@batsonenterprises.com [url=http://www.batsonenterprises.com:1958d]www.batsonenterprises.com[/url:1958d]


Figured I’d jump on the band wagon (better late than never)…Any way I’ll throw in my support for both. Batson and H&H.
Both are great to deal with. Lots of luck with your 1st build. I know it wont be your last.ha…PS I know its hard to do, but take your time, pull up the great rod building section here on FAOL and enjoy the project. If you run into any problems just ask. Plenty of folks on this site are more than willing to lend suggestions to help you out.

[This message has been edited by Smernsky (edited 03 November 2005).]

I sent Bill an e-mail but I have to post it also. Batson Enterprises make an outstanding product line. I thank them for doing so.

I have been building rods since 1977 and for a while the prices on good blanks got up to close to $300! Now the Forecast is the bottom line blank - I can afford to build as many as I want with no compromise in quality.

The Batson products are now my go-to product line. I have built a few Rainshadow blanks for friends ? they rave about those rods. My latest was an 8 ?? 4wt 4pc I keep in my truck for the local ?Urban Lakes?. I love it ? I will be harassing a few Bluegills with it in the way home from work tonight.



Let No One Walk Alone
><))))‘>------<’((((><
Bill

Just finishing a 9’ 4pc. 5 wt. Forecast from H&H (Bob Replaced my lost guide at no cost!!).
My next one is a 7.5’ 4 pc. 2 4 wt. Forecast from (Guess who?).
I have a hard time finding the “Spine” so on the infamous trip to Cabela’s I purchased a “Spine Finder” and used it on the 4 wt. Well I don’t think I really had a problem. The Batson blanks are so well made there is no Spine!! It appears that they put a great deal of effort and quality control into the manufacture of these “Low End” blanks!

that 2 wt is a hook and hackle rod

[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/Forum4/HTML/001140.html:dbe8e]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/Forum4/HTML/001140.html[/url:dbe8e]

great experience and good company to work with.

I’ll probably never buy another flyrod, building is too easy!!!

[This message has been edited by zzdruid (edited 04 November 2005).]

[This message has been edited by zzdruid (edited 04 November 2005).]

As far as I’m concerned, the Forecast blanks be-lie the VERY overused “you get what you pay for” refrain. Extremely fishable and satisfying blanks at down to earth prices.

Jim

Question for all the folks here especially Bill. I sent an email about a week ago and got a response from Karry regarding your blanks. I was looking for something similar to a 9’ 6wt St Croix Legend Ultra in a multi-piece for Galloup/Linsenman style jerk-strip streamer fishing, without paying the big bucks for it. Asked him what was the closest Batson had and he responded with a recommendation of an RX7 blank (this would be my first build, and as such he did not recommend the more expensive RX8+ or RX7+). I called Bob at H&H and their only kits that have a faster action are the Forecast blanks, or otherwise you spend the big bucks for a Loomis blank. Their IM6 and IM7 blanks are more medium actions apparently, and apparently they do not carry the RX7 blanks?

I would be willing to try the Forecast blanks, but wanted to check with everyone here. Does anyone who does jerk-strip style streamer fishing recommend the Forecast blanks for such fishing? If not, does Batson sell their RX7 blanks in a kit and if so where? From them directly? Thanks.

Jim Flamming, I’ve bought Batson blanks from Dan Craft (541 782-4404) He will also give you personalized service and answer any questions you have.

On the Batson web site they have a locator to find places to buy their blanks. Here’s the link to that:
[url=http://www.batsonenterprises.com/unitedstates.php:54ed6]http://www.batsonenterprises.com/unitedstates.php[/url:54ed6]


Joe

Jim;
If you need any help with your first build give me a shout. Someone just posted that they had viewed the Garcia video which has been back and forth the country many times over the past couple of months! It’s a “Pass on the the next guy” video.
Just finished a 9’ 4 pc. 5 wt. Forecast and starting a 7.5’ 4 pc. 4 wt. Forecast. I find that multible pcs are easier to build.


I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!

Cactus AKA “Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)”