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Post 27 May 2015, 19:23 • #1 
Inactive
Joined: 08/22/14
Posts: 187
Location: US-IL
Ok.. By now most of you know I am new to glass and building.. I was just speaking to a very reputable rod builder. He says theses rods have a "Extremely low CPM, poor return rate, very poor quality control, never straight. Plus they're just another $10 import blank".

I thought different.. I heard so many good things about them...

I have a 7wt to build, I was told to return it..

Thoughts????


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Post 27 May 2015, 22:09 • #2 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/11/13
Posts: 774
Location: US-CA
Hello, a while back I assembled a BH 8' 5 wt. The action was not for me, the tip was just too soft but the quality of the blank was very high. The ferrules fit great, the finish on the blank's surface was excellent and the blank was very straight.


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Post 27 May 2015, 22:30 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3081
Location: Orygun
I absolutely LOVE my 7wt. Awesome awesome rod. I do wish I would have just purchased the blank and had it built up (I don't build) as I'm not a big fan of the reel seat (I'm sure I'll have it swapped out at some point in the future), but as far as everything else goes, it's a damn fine rod. I use mine for anything from surf perch to steelhead and it handles everything very very well.


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Post 27 May 2015, 22:31 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/05/14
Posts: 438
Location: US-OK
I've built three, one had a color blem and they happily swapped it out, I was pleased with the rods.


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Post 28 May 2015, 06:23 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
A sour grape or a successful competitor or both are probably responsible for that report. Just factor it in to the research you do here. Don't let one guy destroy your confidence in your choice. He probably wants to sell you something, but badmouthing something else is not a good way to do it. If you did not buy the blank from him but asked his opinion of it, that isn't a good way to get a reliable opinion. If you were spending some money on components from him, you might get a different opinion.

The rod may not be the right one for you, but there is really only one way to find out. You have the blank, evidently, so temp-wrap(or tape) at the ferrules, even temp-wrap some guides and see what you think. Look it over for faults. As to straightness, you could look for any unusual corkscrew twists, or pronounced twists when flexed, but realize that most blanks will have a gradual curve in one plane.


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Post 28 May 2015, 06:56 • #6 
Inactive
Joined: 08/22/14
Posts: 187
Location: US-IL
i am curious to see if leiderman,greywolf or chform will chime in... according to the guy i was talking to.. NO successful builder will touch these rods.

myself.. i really like the rod.. but since i am new to all of this, i wanted to get other opnions, from guys who have been doing this longer than me.


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Post 28 May 2015, 06:58 • #7 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/05/14
Posts: 689
Location: North Alabama
I own the 7wt and it is my favorite rod by far! its not slow like the 3 or 5wt ( which make great dry fly sticks). I like the 7wt so much im buying a blank to build. Its so versatile and handles huge flies down to nymphs.


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Post 28 May 2015, 07:00 • #8 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/05/14
Posts: 689
Location: North Alabama
I know chform and shane have built them up. I don't know why someone would say that?! nothing wrong with the blanks at all.


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Post 28 May 2015, 07:19 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
Gosh, you know, that is not a "cheap" blank in terms of price, so you can expect good warranty/service if there is a defect. Their website gives good details, including suggested guide-spacing, so you are getting some value added from the vendor. And it is a seven weight, 8 1/2'. This makes it simple, since that configuration is the fiberglass wheelhouse. As in rods of the heyday, it was hard to make a really bad 7 weight blank, routine to make a good one that was useful at minimum, and of course a challenge to make one considered outstanding by experienced anglers. But the 8 1/2' 7 weight is to 'glass what the 9' 5 or 6 weight is to graphite. Entirely routine to make a good one--and not costly, either--with the basic technology long proven. Assuming Blue Halo does some QC on receiving each lot of blanks, I just don't see how you can go wrong, unless the configuration is totally unsuited to your intended use. You have to start somewhere. Go ahead, and don't let someone else destroy your enjoyment of your choice.


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Post 28 May 2015, 08:00 • #10 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/05/14
Posts: 689
Location: North Alabama
spot on whirlpool!


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Post 28 May 2015, 08:07 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/14
Posts: 1367
Location: Pleasant Garden, North Carolina
I know Shane had built at least one, he did a blog post on it. Very easy to find with Google. Though he certainly made it his own in more ways than many folks would even think to consider, I don't recall him having anything negative to say about the blank or the QC from Blue Halo.


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Post 28 May 2015, 08:09 • #12 
Inactive
Joined: 08/22/14
Posts: 187
Location: US-IL
i agree with all of you... i never heard any bad thing about the rods untill last night.. once i get my rod build i will et back to you all.


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Post 28 May 2015, 08:11 • #13 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3081
Location: Orygun
glass guy wrote:
myself.. i really like the rod..


I think that this is the only opinion that should matter here...


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Post 28 May 2015, 08:22 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/09/09
Posts: 2796
Location: US-NM
My friend has the 3wt. And loves it....aurelio


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Post 28 May 2015, 08:57 • #15 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/12/14
Posts: 451
Location: Austin, TX
glass guy wrote:
i am curious to see if leiderman,greywolf or chform will chime in... according to the guy i was talking to.. NO successful builder will touch these rods.


http://finetackle.blogspot.com/search?q=blue+halo

Always be wary of someone who makes claims that are easily invalidated...


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Post 28 May 2015, 10:13 • #16 
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Joined: 08/22/14
Posts: 187
Location: US-IL
good find! shifty


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Post 28 May 2015, 14:07 • #17 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/05/11
Posts: 702
Location: US-FL
I had built a 5wt rod. I liked it a lot. Sold it and the person who bought was happy with it as well.


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Post 28 May 2015, 15:42 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/05/10
Posts: 5229
Location: Mid Hudson Valley of New York
Glass guy, I've never handled a Blue Halo blank so can't comment on them but it seems there are a good number of favorable reviews from those who own or are familiar with the blanks/rods. If you are satisfied with the blank you received build it and fish it - only you will know if it suits your preference.


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Post 30 May 2015, 22:20 • #19 
Sport
Joined: 04/14/12
Posts: 73
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
I built the 5 weight last summer and fished it more than my other 'glass rods- quality is fine and it is a hoot tossing dry flies. I find my Steffens ( I now have 4) more versatile, but on a calm day the slow action BH is hard to beat for pure fiberglass fun. I have fished the heck out of mine from NC to Colorado w/ no problems.


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Post 06 Jun 2015, 21:00 • #20 
Guide
Joined: 01/22/10
Posts: 112
Location: Montana
Shifty242 wrote:
glass guy wrote:
i am curious to see if leiderman,greywolf or chform will chime in... according to the guy i was talking to.. NO successful builder will touch these rods.


http://finetackle.blogspot.com/search?q=blue+halo

Always be wary of someone who makes claims that are easily invalidated...


I'd have to go with Christian on this one. I have a Blue Halo built by Shane, an 8' 5/6 wt. beauty. It casts beautifully and is a great rod on those days when wind may or may not be a factor. Why someone would be that negative about a rod you obviously like is beyond me. If you think it's a good rod you will fish better with it - end of story.

Tom


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Post 06 Jun 2015, 21:34 • #21 
Guide
Joined: 08/04/11
Posts: 253
Location: Loveland, OH
Ditto. I have an 805 I built and it is a fine rod. Some folks just like to talk trash.


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Post 10 Jul 2015, 16:00 • #22 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/09/09
Posts: 2796
Location: US-NM
I got to cast my friends 3wt. And it was just ok.......aurelio


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Post 12 Jul 2015, 14:37 • #23 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/28/07
Posts: 1006
Location: US-TX
I like my 2nd gen 3 wt a lot. It has a nice soft tip with a mid flex action and a good amount of power in the butt section.


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Post 24 Jul 2015, 21:49 • #24 
Guide
Joined: 10/10/13
Posts: 263
Location: Cal-Ore-Vada
I built a 3 weight for my friend. The blank was very clean and of exceptional quality.


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Post 26 Jul 2015, 14:42 • #25 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/29/06
Posts: 4413
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon
If someone badmouths a piecer of equipment i figure they are talking thru their butts.


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