I was thinking about building a moderate or moderate/fast 7wt and wondering if the H&H IM6 would be a good choice? Anyone have any experience with this particular blank or would a different model be better suited?I prefer the matte finish but would consider a dark green or brown.
Bryan
This blank line is like any other, there are great blanks in the line and there are dogs. I built an 8 wt 4 pc using the H&H IM6 blank and its a good rod…I like it better than a GL3 of the same weight. No experience with the 7
A couple of others I have cast I didn’t care for too much.
The best blank I have built from that line is the 9’ 3 wt. Sorta Winstonesk in its action, soft tip, stiff butt, able to throw a decent amount of line for a 3 wt or just cast the leader.
HTH
“The only thing worse than getting old is not getting old”
I have two. A 9’9wt and an 8’5wt
Love the nine, good mod-fast action, faster than I expected for an IM6
The five is slower and I consider it a back up rod only.
“The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life”
Bryan,
You might want to look at the Forecast blanks they sell, too. I built a 9’ 4wt 4pc and love it - it has replaced my old Sage RPL. They’re even cheaper than the IM6’s - I did splurge for titanium sf guides but total cost was under $75.00.
Regards,
ScottP
I have an IM6 5wt Winston.
It’s very slow. Almost to slow.
I assumed all IM6 blanks would be about the same. Not true, I guess.
Ken
I fish, therefore, I am… I am confused!!
I have an H&H IM6 3 wt and I love it. It is not a fast rod1 And I think the dark green is very nice looking too.
Ed
P.S. You might want to put these kinda questions in the appropriate section, ie rod building.
The type of graphite used in a blank does not determine whether you get a fast or slow action rod. The rod construction is a a big factor.
Just look at Temple Forks fly rods. They are all made from IM6 graphite, but have a wide range of actions, depending on model, up to very fast as in the TiCr X.
The H&H blanks seem to have a good track record.
He’s not wanting to build a rod, just buy one.
Ken
I fish, therefore, I am… I am confused!!
As I said in my original post, I will be building this rod, not buying one. I do not have any experience with these particular blanks and was looking for some opinions from some who may have built this model.
Bryan
Bryan,
I’m building one right now! It’s a 8’6" 5wt 2 pcs. If you wait a week more I will tell how it fish!
So far the H&H kit is awesome! Today I’ll be wraping the guides.
Malevo
“It is not our differences that divide us; it is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences” Audre Lorde
The 2pc 8’6" 5wt is a great rod. I think you’ll be really happy with it.
Kev
Bryan, I built a two piece 3 wt. H & H IM6 rod and just love it. I’m adjusting more and more to it. I guess my only issue is the top section, for whatever reason, likes to take off on me. It’s probably some flaw in my casting. The other morning it happened a half dozen times. Rather frustrating. It’s a blast for fighting fish. JGW
Bryan,
Why not give the folks at H&H a call? They are very helpful and if you tell them what you are looking to build they will sell you the right blank. I am not trying to be a smart alec, but there is nothing worse than spending all that time and money to find out the rod is a dog. Not to belittle anyone here, these are great folks, but only you know what action/weight/length best fits you. The call is worth the few bucks and the folks there will hook you up with the correct blank for your style.
Eric “nighthawk”
American veteran and proud of it!
nighthawk,
I do need to call H&H and ask a few questions, although I do value the opinions of the people on this board very much.
Hopefully I will get in touch with H&H on Friday and talk with them.
Thanks, Bryan
If you want to know the specks on IM6 call Gary Loomis I work for him when he invented it. Not the Graphite, The name. any old composite can be called IM6 or 7 or 8 as there is no standard or rule for rod blanks.
Rich
I built a few of their IM6 rods and these are my thoughts.
The shorter rods I have (6 1/2, 7 and 7 1/2’ for 2 and 4 wts) are faster acton rods I like better overlinied by 1 line wt.
The 8 1/2’ 5 wt is a very nice rod, 5 wt is the right line and it is the best of the bunch.
9’ 4 wt 4 pc. is very sluggish, tip heavy and I haven’t found a line wt (tried 3 thru 6) that I like on this rod. Probably will donate this rod to some auction.
9’ 8 wt good med fast action rod, fishes well with an 8 wt line.
Good luck!
[This message has been edited by kbobb (edited 28 April 2006).]
The H & H IM6 blanks are RX7 Rainshadow blanks. I have built quite a few 10 ft 8 wt for steelhead that have been well received.