Five rivers blanks

[Salmon fisher]

Hi everybody. I'm considering building a fly rod, and I was wondering what you think of the five rivers rod blanks from Dan Craft enterprises. There wasn't much info found from a google search, so I wanted to you if any of you have experience with them. I would probably be looking at a 10ft. 6 or 7 weight blank for the salt.

Thanks,
Peter

[SuperDave]

Never heard of 'em.

SuperDave

[mediger]

I am sure James or one of the other resident experts will be able to give you all the information you would like. I am basically a hack, but I have built on three of Dan's blanks, two Signature V 4wt blanks and a 9' 6wt FT. The 8'4" and 8'9" Sig V blanks are hands down my favorite trout rods (I also have a St Croix LU, Sage VPS, Loomis IMX which is a great rod as well). My only reason for mentioning my other rods is that his rods are as good as any of the best. And his Sig V line just fits my casting style perfectly. A buddy of mine built a 9' 3wt on his five rivers Sig III blank and he loves it. The FT is very fast but can really throw the line and big flies, and this might be the line you should consider if you like faster rods. Dan is a great guy and I have had several long conversations with him over the phone. He is happy to answer any questions you might have. Also, if you haven't yet, go to www.rodbuilding.org and do a search for "five rivers" or "Dan Craft" and you will get more than you probably have time to read. He is very well respected and his blanks are very highly thought of.
If you have any other basic questions feel free to ask. As I said there are some other guys on the board that have quite a bit more expertise than me.
Let me know what you decide. I doubt you will go wrong if decide to give Dan a try.
Take care,
Mike

[Wayne Kohan]

I have a Dan Craft 10' 7 wt that I built last fall for steelheading. Great rod. The straightest blank I have ever built on. Great service. Nothing but great things to say about it. I even did a great job on the rod. Did my first feather inlay.

Wayne

[Jim Fitz]

I have a Dan Craft 10' 7 wt FT that I built last spring for steelheading. Great rod. Might be the straightest blank I have ever built on. Great service. Nothing but great things to say about it. I even did a okay job on the rod. Going to do my second feather inlay on this rod.

I built this with two butts because I had a piece of scrap cork and thought I'd try it out as a switch rod (for some double handed casting) although I haven't really tried that yet. I also built a 3 wt. DC FTL that is blast on smaller streams. I put pictures in my gallery but a blank looks like a blank I guess.

Mediger summed it up. You would be hard pressed to find the experts on www.rodbuilding.org site say anything bad about Dan's blanks. Search on FT (Fast Taper) or FTL (Fast Taper Light) as well. In terms of bang for your buck, these are great blanks.

[James Mello]

What everybody else said.... The big cavet... In general I find the Sig V line to be the cherry of his products. I like the FT, but it really is fast, and is tough to use for finesse style fishing. I would also say his FTL is a *perfect* rod for moderate casting styles that like a slower more lazy presentation.

-- Cheers
-- James

[Salmon fisher]

Thanks for the input everybody. I have another question. It is totally unrelated, but I'm talking about the same rod.

If I build this rod, I will be paying less than I expected for the blank (I was thinking about sage or something before I came across these five rivers rods). So I might pay extra for good components. Heres my question: is it worth it to get the highest grade preformed cork grips possible? I googled it and didn't find any info on different cork grades, so any info you have would be great.

[Nagasaurus]

At a certain point the cork will "feel" the same even with some defects in it since they are so small your hand can't tell--even if your eye can see more of the little imperfections in the natural cork. So IMO if you are looking for something functional then I wouldn't worry about spending the big bucks on the super high grade cork, just get a "good" grip and spend the money on a nice reel seat and fancy guides instead.

Lots of good info at rodbuilding.org, here is one example: http://www.rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,184384,184396#msg-184396.

Cabela's has some "FLOR" grade cork grips on sale for $10 right now you might want to check out.

There is also burl cork and "bamboo" cork out there that looks interesting and may be an option for something different.

[James Mello]

Thanks for the input everybody. I have another question. It is totally unrelated, but I'm talking about the same rod.

If I build this rod, I will be paying less than I expected for the blank (I was thinking about sage or something before I came across these five rivers rods). So I might pay extra for good components. Heres my question: is it worth it to get the highest grade preformed cork grips possible? I googled it and didn't find any info on different cork grades, so any info you have would be great.

For the most part preformed grips will all be around the same quality within a specific price range. For instance one mans $10 "flor" grip will be just about as good as another companies $12.50 "super fine" grip.

The *best* possible grip you can get for your rod is to actually go to a store and purchase individual rings. Inspect them individually for defects, glue, and sand it to your preferred shape.

With that all said, in general nice grips aren't any more durable or functional in any way shape or form. In general when I do use preformed grips (pretty rarely), I just get the standard stuff from Anglers Workshop, Janns Netscraft, etc. They've been fine, but certainly I didn't see any *huge* quality difference between the "flor" and "extra fine" grips they offered.

[Stan Grace]

If you build on your first Dan Craft blank there is a very good chance you will build another and another and another,etc. Great blanks and fairly priced.

[James Mello]

If you build on your first Dan Craft blank there is a very good chance you will build another and another and another,etc. Great blanks and fairly priced.

Good to see you here Stan... I must second that sentiment... good blank, good price, good guy selling them...

[ibaia]

hello,I have a problem, I have a rod five rivers 9 feet it lines 5 3 pcs and another 9 feet linea4 3 pcs and I have broken the tips, I am not able to communicate with they Dan craft. he has somebody their telephone, fax, e-mail, thanks to all, you excuse for my English (I live in spain)

[FLGator]

dancraftent.com

[ibaia]

thank you, fl gator,,,but me wise the web of they Dan, the problem is that I am sending e-mail and he doesn't answer me, not you which it is the problem, for that reason requests help, thank you

[Tyler Speir]

Salmon Fisher-

If you ever make it over to the Redmond area come see me at FethaStyx. I Have a Dan Craft 10' 5wt you can cast and see how you like it along with a bunch of other blanks. We also have all the cork you will ever need in full grips and rings along with reel seats. Send me a PM if you would like anymore info.

Here is a pic of the Dan Craft I just built

[Salmon fisher]

Speir- great lookin rod. I still haven't gotten around to getting the blank ordered, and am now debating whether to get a 9 ft. rod or a 10 ft. one. Maybe you can offer some ideas? It sounds to me that the 9 ft. rod is a rocket, and while the 10 footer is longer, it's action is quite as nice. (just what i have concluded from research.

[hendersonbaylocal]

Speir- great lookin rod. I still haven't gotten around to getting the blank ordered, and am now debating whether to get a 9 ft. rod or a 10 ft. one. Maybe you can offer some ideas? It sounds to me that the 9 ft. rod is a rocket, and while the 10 footer is longer, it's action is quite as nice. (just what i have concluded from research.

The ten footers are plenty fast. You will like either rod.

[Tyler Speir]

Speir- great lookin rod. I still haven't gotten around to getting the blank ordered, and am now debating whether to get a 9 ft. rod or a 10 ft. one. Maybe you can offer some ideas? It sounds to me that the 9 ft. rod is a rocket, and while the 10 footer is longer, it's action is quite as nice. (just what i have concluded from research.


Are you sold on the Dan Craft rod? I work with lots of different blanks all day long, and honestly their are better blanks for less money imo. Don't get me wrong I like the DC blanks but you should think about some other options. I know some people have had a hard time getting in contact with Five Rivers.

As far as a 10' or 9' fast or slow depens on what type of fishing you are looking to do. I like the fast 10' rods for lake fishing. Longer distance in casting, you can throw streamers, and makes for a good bass rod if you are into that. If you are more of a river guy I would not go with the 10' fast blank.

[James Mello]

Are you sold on the Dan Craft rod? I work with lots of different blanks all day long, and honestly their are better blanks for less money imo. Don't get me wrong I like the DC blanks but you should think about some other options. I know some people have had a hard time getting in contact with Five Rivers.

As far as a 10' or 9' fast or slow depens on what type of fishing you are looking to do. I like the fast 10' rods for lake fishing. Longer distance in casting, you can throw streamers, and makes for a good bass rod if you are into that. If you are more of a river guy I would not go with the 10' fast blank.

Which in particular are you talking about? For the price I was under the impression there wasn't a whole lot of options. The Pac Bay stuff I've never been a fan of, but I'm open to hearing new things if you got info! :)

[Salmon fisher]

I'm thinking about a rod mostly for SRCs and resident silvers (6 wt). I'm pretty much sold on the Dan Craft blanks, unless you know of any better ones in the same price range.

[Jake Smulkowski]

I think the Dan Craft blanks are fantastic! Great finish, great fishing tools, and a great guy. At the same price point, I think the Batson RX7 4 pc rods are amazing as well. I'm also curious about what other blanks around $100 could hold a candle to Dan's.

[Tyler Speir]

Check out the Power Matrix blanks made by American Tackle. If you are looking for a powerful blank, they kick ass. I have not casted a better blank for the money, or even close. The 905-4 is just sick. If money was not an option this blank would still be close to the top of my list on blanks. The only down side the the blank for me is the color, im not a big fan of green blanks.

Ill post a pic of the one im working on for myself if you guys want to see it.

[Jake Smulkowski]

I'd love to see a pic or two of that blank...I had considered getting one for a project but hadn't heard too much. I'm curious - does that woven graphite effect go all the way up the butt section on a 2 pc? How about a 4 pc? Is it the two butt sections, or just the one?

[Tyler Speir]

I'd love to see a pic or two of that blank...I had considered getting one for a project but hadn't heard too much. I'm curious - does that woven graphite effect go all the way up the butt section on a 2 pc? How about a 4 pc? Is it the two butt sections, or just the one?


I have only used the 3pc and 4pc blanks. the woven graphite goes up about 2/3rd of the way up the but section. You will like it.

[Tyler Speir]

Its not the best pic of the blank but its all I have right now.