Iv'e been using a lami model 1000 medium heavy rod for drifting for 6 years now and need to upgrade to a more sensitive rod. Loomis is out of the question I know they make great rods but they are overpriced and there warrenty doesen't sound that great for how much dough you spend. Iv'e heard nothing but great things about rainshadow blanks and have heard a little about allstar. So I guess it boils down to having TH make me a rod from a rainshadow blank or checking out the allstar rods at the closest retailer. Any opinions or comments on this would be great.
Thanks

I got a Th1025c, rainshadow blank, for my dad for christmas and I did a little field sampling with it when he was at work and I have to say I loved it. Feel was good and has enough back bone to control the fish. Also it casted pretty sweet with my abu 5500 on it. Also putting fish on the bank with it was pretty convincing too. I have never tried an Allstar so I can't comment on those but I think I'm going to pick one up sooner or later when I get back from school, because right now I'm a poor college kid who can't afford anything right now But I have no complaints with the Rainshadow pretty dang nice rod, plus a lifetime warranty.

Ed

My understanding is that the Rainshadow blanks are a more sensitive graphite than the All Star rods. I had a 9' medium weight steelhead rod built from a Rainshadow blank for drift fishing and I love it. It's much more sensitive than the Lami rod I had been using. I'm sure that TH builds a great rod but I went local with Little Skookum Custom Rods out of Shelton. I hope this helps.

Ron

The rainshadow blanks are second to none!!!!
And the allstars are a great value for a finished rod!!!
Peace Superfly

RC
John does a good job doesen't he.

Fishhead5

rc, you are right about the TH Custom Rods - they make a great custom rod with excellant workmanship. You can choose any brand of blank you want. The All Star rods are a great value. I have both kinds of blanks and have no complaints at all. Fish on!

I am very interested in the All Star Rods, where can a guy go about locating some. How much would it cost to buy a rainshadow blank and have it made into a basic 8.6ft med fast steely rod with say fuji guides and basic wraps??? Who, and Where, and how long, of a turnaround on the rod? Thanks for any advice.....

I always blame the big Steelhead we let go on the Rain!

Bob D

You can also call Greg's Custom Rods (425-335-1391)in Lake Stevens. He carries rainshadow blanks and can build you anything you want.

Beezer

Fishhead

Yes, John does a good job. After his building for me both a steelhead and a salmon rod from Rainshadow blanks I had him build a salmon rod for a friend as a Christmas gift. I couldn't be more pleased. Great workmanship, and his guarantee is solid.

Fishnjunkie

I haven't fished an All Star rod, although I saw them and handled one. It's been awhile, so don't quote me on this, but I believe it was at Sunbird's in Chehalis. I did a little research and apparently the Rainshadow blank is a superior graphite to the blank used in the AllStar rods. Superfly seems to agree. So I went with Rainshadow and am delighted. My .02.

To answer your question 'who & where', I can recommend John at Little Skookum Custom Rods in Shelton. You can contact him at lscustomrods@hotmail.com. He can answer 'how much' and 'how long' for you. Good luck.

Ron

Greg's Custom Rods in Lake Stevens also teaches a class if you want to try and build one yourself. I did that a few years ago and it was fun. I couldn't make it during the regular class hours, so he let me come in and helped me during the day. Just an idea.
Tom