I chose to build a 9' 7# rod for my 1st winter project rod. I have been looking at the following blanks: H&H(Pac BAy)vs. St. Croix SC4 vs. Rainshadow IM6. How do they compare action wise? Which one might roll cast the best. I would be using the rod primarily for casting and swinging steelhead flies and roll casting large indicators and three or four small split shot. Any comments appreciated.

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My apologies for not using my name on the previous posts. Jason, the rod I am replacing is a 10' 6# rod. I had elbow problems using the longer rod, why? I don't know. When I went to my shorter 9' rods, the problem goes away!

I cannot compare them very well as I have only used the St.Croix SCIV in that length and line weight. Personally I feel it is one of the very best fly rods I have ever cast or fished with. Really outstanding.

I am sure the others are good as well, but as far as which one might suit your personal tastes is hard to say. I am sure you'll get some more responses as the day wears on.

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I think a more fair comparison with the SCIV would be Rainshadow's Xcel blanks rather than the IM6. I think Pac Bay has a new series of blanks in addition to the IM6 line as well.

I really don't think you can go wrong choosing between a St. Croix SCIV, a Rainshadow XCel, or even trying one of the Lamiglas Esprit. It would be hard to recommend one over the other since rod action choice is such a personal thing.

If roll casting is your game, don't laugh - but think of a double handed rod. It will be far less tiring to fish than trying to force long roll casts all day with a single handed rod (especially if you use weighted flies or sink tips). I believe you can find some models in the 7wt range, but I don't think they are cheap.

My own personal steelhead rod is build on a Sage RPL blank. Not only is it very light in the hand, it's got power while casting and is strong when fighting a fish. These blanks are now offered as the VPS series and are, in my opinion, a great buy.

Then again, I sold a 9' 6wt IM6 PacBay rod that I thought was heavy and fatiguing to someone who said it was the best steelhead rod he had ever fished. Go figure. It is all very subjective.

Bob