I am looking at doing my first build. I want to build a fly rod for steelhead fishing. I would like it to be a 10' 7 or 8 wt rod. I would also like to have the option of a removable fighting butt. My idea is using this rod for indicator fishing and also swinging streamers like a switch rod. This could also pull double duty as a smallmouth rod. Any recommendations on a rod blank that is moderate priced for a first build.??

REVF1007-2SB Summer Run Steelhead / Steelhead 10’0” 7wt. 2 .382 5 2.6 Rainshadow Revelation blank, there is also an 8wt, both a little over $100 at sponsers on left. I would definitely prefer 4 piece, but didn't find one yet. I expect others more expert in fly will suggest one.

[www.mudhole.com]

Not sure what you consider moderate priced, but for fly blanks, especially 4 piece 10 foot, this may be about as good as it gets. MHX blanks are quite highly regarded by most builders.

You'll find the parts needed for removable fighting butts on Mudhole, also. Probably many options.

there these 4 choices from Anglers workshop sponsor on the upper left of the page

PBT2F1008 10'0'' Moderate 2 8 4.5 0.47 2.29 73.50 >2 piece
[www.anglersworkshop.com]



PBT2F10083 10'0'' Mod-Fast 3 8 4 0.44 2.29 29.99. > 3 piece
[www.anglersworkshop.com]


PBFAF10084 10'0" - 4 8 4.5 0.43 2.6 104.36 >4 piece
[www.anglersworkshop.com]


PBAF10384 10'3" Fast 4 8wt 4 0.6 2.51 91.26 >4 piece
[www.anglersworkshop.com]

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Mike D. gave some great advice. The Batson clan lives in steelhead country and fish them all the time. You can probably get away with a 7 wt. in the midwest where water flows are much lighter, take the rod to Alaska, or the West Coast and you'll want the 8 wt. The Clouser rods designed for smallmouth are all 8 wts.
As far as removable fighting butts go, a permanent one is no hindrance, helps protect your reel, and I've yet to meet someone who has a removable butt that hasn't lost part of it in short order. Hopefully it will be the button cover that you put in the reel seat when you remove the butt, then you can just leave the butt in permanently after that.

Scott, I built one of the 10ft., 8wt. 2-piece Revelation blanks into a Michigan handle spinning rod a few months ago and it's a great blank.. I've also built on their discontinued 9'6" RX7 in 7wt. and 8wt. Both are appropriate, but there have been a lot of double digit fish taken this year, so I would recommend the 8wt.

If you do much traveling, the 4pc option is best, especially for air travel. I concur on the 8wt recommendation, with either the Batson or MHX blanks, both are excellent choices.

I would definitely not overlook the 10'3" PacBay Arctos

Thanks guys for all the advice. I don't travel too much but I fish small to larger rivers on the west coast of Michigan. I like the idea of a 2 inch fighting butt for basic fishing, but also add in a 5 inch butt at times for a heavier line or larger fish.

""cost"" more sections the higher the cost , more man hrs involved in its making, I think could be wrong

William Sidney
AK

Don't forget to look at the TFO blanks, especially the BVK. They rank high with the Yellowstone Angler's in their 8 wt shootout.

I am partial to the MHX Fly and fits the bill well for a number of techniques. If you go removable fighting butt my recommendation is buy an extra, they get grow legs and walk off, often.

glue the butt in an don;t worry about loosing it ,

William Sidney
AK