dustdog12 wrote:
If so, then I have a little experience with it. I built the 7'8" Sunset Red about a year ago. I've fished it only once, but was pleasantly surprised. It didn't feel very good at first, not being lively at the initial 'waggle.' On the water, though, it was both powerful and accurate at the distances (<40') I fish. I was able to repeatedly put the fly over a good trout feeding right off the bank 30'-35' upstream. The rod roll cast well, and allowed good line control in nymph fishing. It's a lucky rod, too. Its first cast was to put a Prince nymph at the edge of a current. As soon at the fly eddied back toward me, a 12" Brown took it. Your first cast may bring an even bigger fish.
A poor pic:
As for the blank, there are cosmetic issues, especially around the ferrules. I understand that to be common with some budget blanks. I built it to be a 'beater,' so the flaws are ok.
I've not used it since because to me it's a pack rod for remote ponds, and I haven't been able to do any pack-in fishing. When I do, the rod will go along.