So I am following up an earlier topic on center pin rods. I got a two piece Raven float rod (love the Hydrofloat line by the way) but having used 4 piece fly rods for about 15 years, I can't get over the length of this new monster. I guy at work offered to buy it and I am considering having a 4 piece center pin rod built using a 5-7 weight 12 foot Spey rod. Anybody have any experience with this? Granted, I know this will void the warranty but that is a chance I'll take until someone comes along and builds a 4 piece center pin rod. I did a Google search and there have been a few guys who have done this but it has been years ago and nobody really gave any specifics. I am thinking a light center pin rod to be used for AK rainbows and char, Ronde steelies...mostly for large trout/char and smaller steelhead. Obviously the tapers for Spey and center pin rods are different but I'll bet you can make it work. What do you think?

Dave,

I have built a bunch of spey blanks into pin rods. PM or give me a call if you'd like to discuss specifics, options, details, etc..

Otherwise just go with the Batson/Forecast 11'6" 4pc. 6/7 weight spey blank for your build, you won't be dissapointed.

Thanks for the PMs and your response Joe. I may be giving you a call to get some advice (and order more RVRFSHR product).

I have Batson spey blanks turn pin rods and I have recently been fishing a few sage zaxis blanks which I really like. The 5110 and 7110 are good for small river and boat work. The 5126 and 6126 make great rods that will handle all river conditions. Beulah is thinking about making CP rods out of there spey blanks. We have been trying for 4 years to get rod makers to make 4 piece rods but with the economy everyone is scared to invest the money one something that might not sell. I believe the first company to do this will change the game forever. They just don't seem to want to listen.

My only complaint about my raven IM6 11'6" is that both pieces (it's a two piece) are so long, that I can't even fit it in the trunk of my car. I usually take multiple rods with me when I go on trips, so I am either left with the option of taking it with me when I want to fish using a different method (for example, fly fish), or leaving it in my back seat in plain view. To say the least, I will definitely buy a four piece when someone comes out with one.

Regards,

Andrew

I have had a handful of the Batson blanks tied up. The RX7 spey blanks are pretty nice for float rods, more parabolic than the rx6 blanks. The 13ft 7wt was a nice rod for 8-12lb steelhead but a little too much rod for 3-5lb fish. I would go with the 6wt if you plan on fishing smaller fish and lighter lines. I also used to fish a 12'6 6wt sage spey that was a pretty sweet rod for float fishng, it was the old brown blank spey.