Forecast blanks

[robast]

Has anyone used a Batson Forecast blank? I noticed H&H had a great deal this weekend on their Forecast kits and thought I might make one if they fish well.

Rob

[thewaker]

Great, affordable, very worthy rods IMHO. I built the 11'6" spey and have a 12'6 that was built for me. I like um and they don't break the bank.

Mark

[Tyler Speir]

Good blanks and good people.

[LG Mix]

I too have built the 12'6" and 11'6" spey rods. As my two handed casting has improved (a little) I really like the 12'6" with a 550 grain Skagit line. I'm still sorting out the 11'6". I've read a lot of good things about these on price/performance.
-- Larry

[Bert Kinghorn]

I too have built the 12'6" and 11'6" spey rods. As my two handed casting has improved (a little) I really like the 12'6" with a 550 grain Skagit line. I'm still sorting out the 11'6". I've read a lot of good things about these on price/performance.
-- Larry

In contrast to Larry, I found the 11'6" to be an absolute gem, with performance dropping in the rest of the series as they increase in size. All are a remarkable value considering their very low price point, though. Do a search on "Forecast" and you will find much discusion on WFF about these rods. The 11'6," being quite short requires a very compact casting stroke.

The Batsons just came out with a new Rainshadow line of two-handed blanks. While more expensive, the ones I have cast are excellent rods.

Tyler could not be more right. The Batsons are REALLY, REALLY GOOD people!

[LG Mix]

Let me clarify. After building the 12'6" in early 2006, I read that the 11'6" was the best of the line and so in early 2007 built one. I am not an accomplished spey caster and have spent more time, especially this year pursuing winter steelhead, casting the 12'6". It is not that I prefer the bigger rod, it is just that I'm more familiar with it. I actually have high expectations for the 11'6". Either of these rods is a definite improvement over my one-handed 9' 8 wt and an economical ticket into spey casting.
-- Larry

[Salmo_g]

I made a 8 1/2' 5 wt from a Rainshadow blank a few years ago and liked it. So when I heard about their Forecast Spey blanks, I made one of the 11 1/2' ones. Liked it so well I made a second one, but used a fancier reel seat, added one more guide, and changed the fore and rear grip lengths.

[hendersonbaylocal]

The 6/7 spey is sick.