Be interested in hearing folks thoughts on bloke rods and/or blanks. Looking to build a rod as a wee project and after looking around at blanks there seems to be names I've heard of (sage/epic/Winston) at about 400 pound a pop and then lots of brands I haven't from 0-100. The only name I know in this bracket is the bloke blanks and I see they sell them through eBay and have seen one the length and wt I want (10' 4wt) at about 70 quid.
So if anyone's got a bloke rod I'd love to here what you think, cheers
Andy
The blokes I have seen are stiff. That's not a pun but they have been non-fishing rods in my view. I would contact him and ask as I have bought some rod building supplies from him and he's been very accommodating.
P
I have no direct expierence of Bloke rods. Also not experience of Harrison rod blanks but have heard they make reasonable rods, might make a good option for a lower cost test project:
https://www.guidesnblanks.com/p/harrison_fly_rod_blanks (https://www.guidesnblanks.com/p/harrison_fly_rod_blanks)
Cheers robbie, that's a name I've come across but have no real reference for. I'll have a look.
Paul I've messaged the guy mick bell through eBay, he reckons the blank is middle to tip which would be fine for what I want.....It's a definite maybe! I'll keep looking though in case something jumps out at me.
Harrison blanks have a good name. Sportfish use these for their own brand rods. I have an 8ft 3wt on a Harrison blank and pretty soft but that you would expect for a wee rod for burns.
Andy, It's a 10' 5# bloke rod I use for most of my loch fishing and I'll have been using it any of the times we have fished together. I like it a lot but I'd agree it is a wee bit stiffer than you would probably want just for pulling wets. No where near as stiff as the 6# and 7# bloke rods which are real poker's that I'd guess are meant for lures etc.
You are welcome to give it a try if you are up this way or i'll take it with me next time I'm down south.
I had a #5 and a #6 in the Bloke range. I broke one but I still have the other. I keep it in reserve as I have better rods.
I find the Blokes stiff and clunky. Useable and cast well but mot really what I like for fishing with.
I also have two Harrison rods. Not fly rods but coarse rods. I love them. They are great rods to play a fish on with a degree of "feel" I have never gound in any other rod. I have also cast one of their fly rods and it had a lovely smoothness about it.
Bloke blanks are imported from the far east and Harrison's are rolled by Steve Harrison in the UK. Of the two I know which I would go for, but your problem is you will struggle to find anyone who has a Harrison for a trial cast.
It's an xl50 if that rings any bells with you John/Alex? That's interesting I thought he made the blanks Alex, I'll have a look and see what the Harrison's come in at and lengths, weights etc
I'm not in any hurry whatsoever, plenty to keep me busy so I'll keep an eye on eBay for anything that pops up too
It is the XL50 Blokes I have Andy. Can give you a chuck with one if you like.
Aye sounds good, no great rush like I say but I'm off the next month or so :lol:
Hi Andy i have the xl50 in a 9 foot 6wt it is stiff I have used it from a boat for sea trout,rainbows and even Mackerel in salt water off Orkney not a rod for Dry fly but the 10 foot 4wt might be a different animal cheers J
I have a Bloke XL50 9ft 4 wt 4 pce. & it is a good rod, I use it for rivers. Andy if you want to try it let me know. Think Fred rates it as well
Tight Lines
The trout rods section on the Bloke site for the xl50 range lists rod actions for each model. Everything from soft to very fast.
Quote from: johnsd on October 03, 2018, 12:58:12 AM
Hi Andy i have the xl50 in a 9 foot 6wt it is stiff
Got that one too John. Very powerful have used it for everything from wee troots to big shoulder dislocating Kahawai
I'd say go for a 4 weight though for typical Scottish fishing
Quote from: Lochan_load on October 02, 2018, 11:45:21 PM
It's an xl50 if that rings any bells with you John/Alex? That's interesting I thought he made the blanks Alex, I'll have a look and see what the Harrison's come in at and lengths, weights etc
I'm not in any hurry whatsoever, plenty to keep me busy so I'll keep an eye on eBay for anything that pops up too
The one I have is an XL50.
This is the place you want to go for your fittings.
https://www.guidesnblanks.com/
Have not used them but Harrison blanks seem well thought of. Bloke blanks I believe are Chinese sourced
Tight Lines
Thanks for the replies folks, sorry I was a bit slow in responding I was away landing a rather fine 8lber with the wife :lol:
Think I'm leaning towards the Harrison, had a trawl about and have only read universally good things about their rods and fly blanks, very tempted by the bloke but more mixed reviews here and elsewhere......I'm sure I would do the bloke and like it but got to base the decision on something and do like the idea the Harrison is produced here and by real specialists.
I've been on there alan, good range of stuff 👍🏻
Congratulations Andy. Hope all went well. Sounds like a great result :D :D
Thanks Vaughan, didn't really go well but the end result was worth it :D
Spot of paternity leave needed :) Good timing for the end of the season. :D
I have a Harrison 10ft 5wt and it's a brilliant rod. Not sure about bloke at all. Happy to trial.
Quote from: Lochan_load on October 05, 2018, 06:58:40 PM
Thanks for the replies folks, sorry I was a bit slow in responding I was away landing a rather fine 8lber with the wife :lol:
Congratulations Andy - cock or a hen? :D
For the time and effort that I expect is needed to build your own rod I'd be going for the Harrison as well. I've no experience of them but anything I've heard about them has been good.
:lol: a lovely little hen!
I'd never heard of them John but that's why I put the post up, as always the forum knows best!
Paul not sure there's a rod you don't own :lol: think it's a 10' 5 wt I'll do, if it's not a hassle bring it along when we meet up.
No problem I'll bring both. Congratulations on all fronts
Congratulations Andy :D
Cheers for the well wishes guys! Back to business.....my new wet fly rod arrived this morning :lol:
Blank looks excellent.
[attachimg=1]
You got me thinking that this may be a good winter project, any suggestions for the accessories (handle, eyes).
I may try putting a #6 if I can find a decent mid action blank
Andy,
If you want a loan of the electric rotation tool etc just let me know.
That would be magic paul, I've been looking at them but wasn't sure about buying one in case I don't want to do it again. Was just going to make a simple turner and hand do it but that would be a bonus, if I like doing it I'll buy one. Cheers
Johnny I got my components here, a supplier on Etsy who's stuff looked nice.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TaniwhaRodworks
Got the blank from meadow fishery who sell a lot of rod building stuff and seem pretty good. There's rodsandblanks as well.
I've looked at a lot of YouTube stuff that's been helpful, I'll post up some links at some point.
Somehow I missed this thread.
Congratulations Andy on both new arrivals.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of both and please send my regards to your better half.
Billy