Dry Fly Rod Blank

[flyfish_88]

After attempting to use my current 6wt rods to fish with dry flies this last year and finding it not so enjoyable I have decided that it is time for a lighter rod. I am thinking a 4wt but am having a hard time deciding what blank to use. Any recommendations from the dry fly fisherman out there? I am thinking I will spend between $200-$250 or less on the blank. And am not interested in factory built rods.
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[flygoddess]

4 wt is a great choice. For dry I like glass. Lamiglass is great. Or Orvis Superfine. Or look for a 10 footer. I love my Icon.
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[ChrisTheFish]

Wouldn't hurt to start with a cheaper blank if it's your first go-around. There are some decent blanks that won't break the bank and it would give you the chance to make some mistakes while learning, unless you've already been building.
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[windriver]

Blue Halo sells pretty glass blanks.

Windriver
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[flygoddess]

Good answer, they also offer a choice of S or E glass.
Also maybe look for a half glass, half graphite like so many rods these days. T.L. Johnson makes a beauty.
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[cpierce]

Have you looked at RDP Blanks? I haven't got one, but I have heard good things about them. I am considering getting one myself. I just have to figure out why I really really NEED one. [laugh][laugh][laugh]

[url "http://rdpflyrods.com/blanks.html"]http://rdpflyrods.com/blanks.html[/url]

And this is their warranty:
Warranty: If for any reason you need us to repair a Custom Rod, please ship it to us and include $25.00 for postage & handling. We will repair and ship it back to you, no questions asked. Abuse and shutting in the car door or similar damage is now covered with the $25.00.
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[flygoddess]

NICE! All this talk about building got me looking. Found the Ovis Superfine blanks at a killer price. These are built out of the same stuff as Helios so light as a fetha. Gotta build me a 2.
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[flyfish_88]

This is not my first go round with building rods. I have been over a dozen rods now just haven't built a dry fly rod for myself yet. I found the sage vxp blanks for a pretty decent price. Anyone have a vxp in 3 or 4 wt that cares to chime in?
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[flygoddess]

You want a fast action rod for dries?
They are light and slender, but more a nymph or streamer rod to me.
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[SteelFisher]

I know you said you were not interested in a factory rod but Cabelas has the Redington CT for $75 (half price) and you can strip it down and customize it to your taste. It is a medium action blank that is really nice for dry fly fishing.
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[riverdog]

I'll second the RDP suggestion. I had a 3 pc 5'8" 1 wt rod custom built for me by them. Tremendous little rod, incredible accurate from 10-35 ft, light weight but enough backbone to pop 15-16 inchers out quickly. Of rods that cost up to twice as much it's my favorite rod hands down. I don't have any first hand experience with their longer 4 pc rods however. If you don't use one this time remember them when you realize you "need" [laugh] a small stream rod.
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