philB Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hi I have an inclination to build myself a float rod. Problem I have is a) difficulty in acquiring blanks knowing if the blank is the right one for the job c) ensuring the hardware and handle will fit and do the job My problems start right at the beginning. I feel sure what is termed a 'steelhead' rod in the States is the same as a 'stickfloat' rod here in the UK but I am not sure, can anyone confirm this. A 'stick float rod is usually between 13' and 15' but do go to 17', are light and usually have a fast tip action. If they are the same how do I decide which is a real good quality blank from a mediocre blank when I am unable to see and feel it. Can anyone recommend an outlet for this type of carbon blank that will also supply the hardware and handle, a one stop shop as it were. Here is a link to what I would consider is a pretty good description of a stick float rod and fishing in the UK. Anglers' Net - The UK Online Fishing Magazine - Stick Float Secrets philB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hi Phil, I checked most of my regular sites to see if I could find you a source and wasn't able to find you an exact match, a. Bass Pro has a G-Loomis Steelhead Float Rod in 11', 11' 4", and 13' 4" lengths as a finished rod for $310.00 to $370.00; but not as blank or kit. b. Mud Hole is one of the larger rod building parts houses and I didn't find any thing in the form of a kit in the size range you had listed. I'm hoping that one of the rod building regulars can jump in and help you get a good build list compiled. Are you wanting to buy it from a vender in the States? Maybe someone like MTfishingrods has even built a few for a customer.http://www.tackleunderground.com/forum/members/mtfishingrods.html' rel="external nofollow"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philB Posted June 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hi Bruce This is my last inquiry about rod blanks as I have almost come to the conclusion that it is just not worth the hassle and risk to make your own . There is 1 manufacturer of rod blanks in the UK, no you did not read that wrong, just 1. This makes the blanks very expensive but on the other hand I can go and see them in real life and could guarantee the right blank which in reality I could not when buying online. I have a suspicion that nearly all the rod blanks are made in China anyway and bought in bulk by manufacturers which leaves the guy like me who only wants 1 or 2 blanks high and dry. The term steelhead float rod is also a strange one, as far as I can tell that type of rod is more or less the same as what we term a stickfloat rod, they fulfill the same purpose and that is to suspend a natural bait under a float in flowing water. If that is the case why does Gloomis market a 'Steelhead float rod' with a line weight ???? Is it a float rod or fly rod, I do not know. I have fancied making myself some rods for a while now but I'm having trouble justifying to myself the cost as rods are so cheap now it costs nearly as much to make as buy. Thanks for your reply and I hope you are keeping well. philB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark berrisford Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hi Phil there are at least 2 i think Harrison and North Western,as you say though i'd imagine most rod's are made in the far east to keep cost's down which makes making them yourself seem very expensive Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philB Posted June 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 Hi Mark I had forgotten North Western. Not sure North Western do float rod blanks but Harrison's do which is ok if you want to pay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted June 22, 2008 Report Share Posted June 22, 2008 The term steelhead float rod is also a strange one, as far as I can tell that type of rod is more or less the same as what we term a stickfloat rod, they fulfill the same purpose and that is to suspend a natural bait under a float in flowing water. If that is the case why does Gloomis market a 'Steelhead float rod' with a line weight ???? Is it a float rod or fly rod, I do not know. Well Phil, That particular rod is designed as a spinning rod, not a fly a fly rod. I know there are rod blanks made is the U.S., St. Croix rods are made in Park Falls, Wisconsin. There is a place on their web site that takes customer questions. St. Croix Fishing Rods - Spinning, Casting, Saltwater, Fly As a teenager, my father and I used to travel to Michigan and tried the steelhead fishing. Sometimes, we'd engage in the flyfishing only season on limited streams; other times we'd go after them with a supple Headon spinning rod about 6 or 7 feet long. I think most of the float fishing I remember was done by my Grandfather's generation. He used to have a place on a flowage in WI with a slow gental curent and he'd put long cane poles with maybe 20 or 30 feet of line and a float with a minnow or leech as bait for pike or what ever would come by. I'd still wait to see what one of the regular rod builders has to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 Phil, I am in no way a rod builder but watch the products that the guys on rodbuildingforum put out. I wish I had the patitence and talent to make one myself (actually the guts to even try LOL) A lot of them go through Mud Hole Custom www.mudhole.com Many of them use MudHole for blanks and the above website might help, if not you could always call and tell them what you're looking for and they might be able to help you out. The guys always say they have great customer service and it might be worth a shot. Good Luck Fatman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delw Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 I was able to buy a 13 foot blank (actually size was a tad bigger than 12'6"), its the old school yellow fenwick steel head Blank when I live in washington state. there was a fly fishing shop and rod building shop ran but the owner of fenwick, right across the street from the sea-tac mall. I believe he had these brought in custom maybe?? when I say old school I am serious it was in 1977-78 and it was a woodworking class project in middle school. Still have the rod too sitting up in the attic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 most steelhead rods (we see just about every type here in MI) are built as spinning rods on a fly-rod blank. They are sometimes called "noodle" rods because of the length. Batson/Rainshadow (batsonenterprises.com) makes nice blanks at good prices and would be worth a look. I have a buddy who makes steelhead rods specifically - given the avg size of fish you see, line weight/type and application (float in your case) i can probably tell you which rainshadow or other blank would be ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
