TFO Deer Creek Switch Blanks

[Rick Sharp]

Does TFO or any shops sell these in just a blank, I'm looking to build a lighter weight switch for trout and cast one of these rods, it felt really good, so good that I now want one. Prefer to build my own rods.

[dalton]

I spoke to the mid-atlantic TFO rep at a fly fishing show recently and asked him about the DC blanks (both switch and spey). His only answer was "not yet", but he didn't completely confirm that they will be available. They have somewhat recently begun expanding their selection single hand blanks, and also offer component kits identical to what comes on each grade of factory rod--the blanks sold with the component kits are about $20 cheaper than the factory rods (a point I make to say that they use high end components and that you can't build it cheaper than the Koreans).

[LyNcH]

You can build a sage z-axis 5110, it's a lighter rod than the TFO. It'll still cost you about $380 to build it.

You can build yourself a Beulah 4/5 switch for about $280 with a sock an tube.

As you know, the rewards of building your own rod is far greater than saving $20.

[YerPalJim]

Give Bob Meiser a call. The TFO blanks are based on his switch rod. They should be the same taper but Bob's blanks are multi-modulus graphite vs. TFO's single modulus rods. This translates to a smother casting more forgiving rod. Plus the meiz switch blanks are just a shade more than $150. Pretty cheap for what you get. This is all based on a conversation I had w/ Bob about a year ago and my experience with the 4 wt switch so my info may be a little off. Best to get your answers straight from the horse's mouth.

--Koa

[dalton]

Originally Posted by LyNcH

You can build a sage z-axis 5110, it's a lighter rod than the TFO. It'll still cost you about $380 to build it.

You can build yourself a Beulah 4/5 switch for about $280 with a sock an tube.

As you know, the rewards of building your own rod is far greater than saving $20.

I probably should have been more clear with $20 comment. With a rod like the Sage Z-Axis, you can build it yourself for about half of retail with comparable components. With the Beulah, you are still saving $100 or so. These both seem like deals compared with the TFO, you likely have almost the full retail price of the factory rod to build it (when/if the blank becomes available). If the original poster thinks that the TFO is better, then its probably worth it.

It looks like the best suggestion so far is to talk to Meiser to see if he has a comparable blank.

[Jim Fitz]

Do what YerPalJim said. I have RB Meiser 5/6 highlander switch rod and love it.

[Rick Sharp]

Originally Posted by Jim Fitz

Do what YerPalJim said. I have RB Meiser 5/6 highlander switch rod and love it.

I looked at the website and noticed several weights for the highlander, do you feel the 5/6 is perfect for trout or would it be prudent to go one size lighter?
Thanks
Rick

[Ol Rich]

Call Bob Meiser.

Rich

[Jim Fitz]

Rick - I bought this rod as a balance between something for summer steelhead but also for trout on larger rivers like the yak. It works great for spey casting a nymph set up although most of its time as been swinging SH flies - mainly by my teenage son while I use something larger. They say switch rods are trickier to learn than with a "regular" length spey rod but that was not true with this rod (I use it with an Elixar line) at least not for me. I showed my son how to cast it and he takes and says, "like this" and snaps out a 70' cast.

If I would going to use it exclusively for trout, I would go with something lighter (4/5) but that is just me. In retrospect, I wish I had a 4/5 AND a 6/8 or 7/9. Someday.

[flytyer]

Contact Meiser. He sells the TFO made Deer Creek blanks under a different series name. If I remember correctly without going to his web site, they are around $200.00

[Riverborn75]

I think Bob calls them "clearwater" blanks. Poppy used to sell them as well.