philB Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Hi all I am usually hanging round the hard baits section but thought I would come and annoy you guys for a change Rod building has always appealed to me but we have problems obtaining blanks here in the UK. Also a problem is the type of blank. I am talking float rods here and also float rods up to 15' in length. Take a look at the Hardy rods in the link and you will see from the description what I mean. I own a 15' Marksman and would love to attempt my own build if I could get hold of blanks easy. Is this rod the same as a steelhead float rod ??? Hardy rods,hardy marksman,hardy float rods,hardy marksman rods,discount hardy rods,hardy feeder rods,hardy specimen rods,hardy avon rods,hardy match rods,hardy barbel rods,hardy tench rods,float rods,feeder rods,avon rods,barbel rods,carp rods philB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diemai Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 @ PhilB Don't know , whether this would be of any help to you , since both sites don't seem to have an English translation ! CMW - Angelger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philB Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Thanks Diemai CJW gets my vote. I really like the model on the home page, perfectly formed smooth lines and I would imagine a nice medium to fast action. The rods arn't bad either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTfishingrods Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Well ummmmm Phill I hate to admit this but I actually had to do a bit of research on this. I honestly have never built a steelhead float rod, and did not know whether that would be the same as one or not. But hey I guess we are always learning right? Heres what I found out. Yes. It looks to me to be the same as or very very close to a steelhead float rod. I compared it to this link here. G.Loomis Steelhead Float Rods As for where to find rod blanks for you I am still looking. I will post more later. I believe I had a source that sold there but need to find it. Lost it in my computer crash a few months back but it will turn up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philB Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thanks MT. I looked at the link and the rods although first class I am sure are typical of what are termed Steelhead float rods, they tend to be shorter by a foot or three and I suspect are really fly rod blanks in disguise. I have often attempted to solve this dilemma and as yet have not come up with a solution. The average length of a 'Stick float rod' (UK terminology) would be 13' but they are available up to 17'. The Loomis rods fall short somewhat. I am sure though that the type of fishing this rod caters for is carried out on most rivers in most countries, maybe a little variation but the same principals will apply I am sure. The UK is awash with rods of this type so manufacturers are producing the blanks but where and whom ?? Perhaps bulk purchase from China, who knows. philB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTfishingrods Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) I have found some that are up to 13 foot long. St Croix made them and they were considerably lower priced than the others. I dont think they are so much a Fly Rod though as they are advertising a slow action. The length has to be (I am assuming) to get the line above the tube or boat that you are in and to aid in casting such as a fly rod but a Fly Rod generally has a fast to moderate fast action to be able to controll the line. This wont help you find a blank but here is a custom builders web site that looks to have some knowledge on float rods and actually has them up to 17 feet. http://www.customfishingtackle.com/custom_float_rods.htm Edited March 5, 2009 by MTfishingrods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philB Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks for the link MT. Really interesting tackle they sell on that site. It was almost like looking at a UK based retailer. All I have to do now is find where they get their blanks from . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 (edited) Raven Float Rods http://www.raventackle.com/float_rods.htm Pete Edited April 2, 2009 by hazmail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
