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????

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

I had built a 5wt rod. I liked it a lot. Sold it and the person who bought was happy with it as well.

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.

Ditto. I have an 805 I built and it is a fine rod. Some folks just like to talk trash.

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.

If someone badmouths a piecer of equipment i figure they are talking thru their butts.