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Ben’s of Holland 703-5
Post 20 Apr 2022, 19:27 • #1 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
Here’s my first go at a BOH pack rod.

I really like the action of this blank with a 406 DT3 line. Balances perfectly with this click/pawl Redington CT 3/4. Can’t wait to get it on the water.

It easily hides in a plastic tube in my daypack.
This will be my go-to hiking and biking rod.

I’m not thrilled with the inscription but c’est le vie.









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Post 20 Apr 2022, 19:45 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/31/15
Posts: 1238
Location: Northern Rockies
Another fantastic build! And I disagree—the inscription looks nice.


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Post 20 Apr 2022, 21:07 • #3 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/11/13
Posts: 774
Location: US-CA
Nice work a really good looking build. I agree the inscription looks good


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Post 20 Apr 2022, 21:44 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
Well, thanks.


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Post 21 Apr 2022, 08:33 • #5 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/11/17
Posts: 436
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Great build. Gorgeous rod.


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Post 21 Apr 2022, 09:03 • #6 
Sport
Joined: 04/10/17
Posts: 44
Location: US-CO
Love the color of that blank and very cool sock! Did you make that yourself?

Takes me a couple time to get script to my liking some times... particularly on unsanded blanks where the ridges feel like I'm writing on small mountains.


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Post 21 Apr 2022, 10:39 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
Very nice! I like the inscription too. On unsanded blanks I have done a coat of epoxy in the signature area first to make it level. Scuffed it up a bit with 600 grit sandpaper, done the inscription, and then another coat of epoxy.


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Post 21 Apr 2022, 11:39 • #8 
Master Guide
Joined: 08/23/19
Posts: 371
Location: North Central Oregon
Beautiful build. Hope u will enjoy that rod as much as I do my 7'5" BOH.

Bruce


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Post 22 Apr 2022, 08:12 • #9 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
Thanks for the kind words.

Really love these rod bags.
Check out seller named copperjohn on eBay.
His takes the orders and his wife makes them.

Custom length with leather hang tag,
choose your number of pockets, several color options, quick turnaround, made in USA.

Excellent communication and customer service. Highly recommend.


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Post 22 Apr 2022, 11:27 • #10 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/26/21
Posts: 383
Location: North West Georgia
Super cool rod Guad. Ive been curious about that blank. Id love to hear your casting impressions. How does it do with big wulff style flies? Dry droppers? I know most any rod CAN cast that kind of stuff (especially with the right leader), but Ive been curious about how large of a fly this rod will cast well. Im sure it will make an excellent pack rod.


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Post 22 Apr 2022, 13:57 • #11 
Master Guide
Joined: 12/11/20
Posts: 378
Location: Dallas, TX
Love it. That 5-piece looks like a perfect travel / pack rod.


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Post 22 Apr 2022, 19:27 • #12 
Guide
Joined: 02/06/16
Posts: 328
Location: US
I’d like to hear about how that blank fishes as well. Is it a true 3wt?


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Post 09 May 2022, 21:32 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
So I made it out to a little known casting pond this evening to finally put this rod thru it’s paces.

With company curiously looking on, I tried various rigs that I’ll be using for trout later this summer, including royal wulffs with a nymph dropper, a Chubby Chernobyl- dropper combo, size 10 BH woolly buggers and lastly just for fun some warm water poppers.

In summary, this 3 wt rod handled all of the above really well.

The wind was a little gusty at times and the gusts would certainly interfere with the casting because, well, it’s a 3 wt, but aside from the wind this rod handles everything impressively well.

When the wind was still, 30-50 ft casts were pretty easy and felt good even with a chubby chernobyl - BH hares ear dropper.

It seemed to like it best when I let the backcast extend ALL the way out and then accelerate smoothly at first and then more quickly to the sudden stop with a little haul thrown in on the forward stroke. Nice extension of the line in the air with a 5-6 ft leader and then a nice soft landing on the surface.

All in all, this is a beautifully tapered blank and I’m looking forward to using it to go after trout.

I highly recommend trying one out for yourself.

Ben, if you’re out there checking in from Holland, thanks for building a fantastic blank buddy.




* Even the little guys put a really nice bend in this blank.









Last edited by Guadalupe Bass on 11 May 2022, 08:15, edited 2 times in total.

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Post 10 May 2022, 09:24 • #14 
Guide
Joined: 03/03/22
Posts: 131
Location: NJ
Outstanding!


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Post 11 May 2022, 08:33 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 1760
Location: SJC
Beautiful work ! Sounds like a great blank.


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Post 11 May 2022, 08:36 • #16 
Guide
Joined: 03/21/22
Posts: 172
Location: US-PA
Beautiful rod. Looks like you put it through its paces as well. Nice fish.


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Post 11 May 2022, 09:40 • #17 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/26/21
Posts: 383
Location: North West Georgia
Very interesting. Ive been eyeballing that blank but was afraid it might not work well for the larger flies I like to fish. I think you have sold me! Thanks for the fishing/casting review.


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Post 11 May 2022, 18:14 • #18 
Master Guide
Joined: 11/11/13
Posts: 774
Location: US-CA
Nice outing with your 3 wt. I’ll bet those bass were really fun on that rod.


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Post 12 May 2022, 06:36 • #19 
Guide
Joined: 06/15/20
Posts: 260
Location: Toledo, Ohio, USA.
very nice build and I love the Redington CT reel paired with it.


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Post 13 May 2022, 12:15 • #20 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/11/14
Posts: 1784
Location: urban Colorado
beautiful, that rod will fish ;-)


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Post 22 Jun 2022, 10:59 • #21 
Guide
Joined: 02/06/16
Posts: 328
Location: US
Just to bring this one back up, this rod landed in my quiver yesterday and took it out this AM for a test drive. Tried with a 406 WF 3wt & 4wt as well as a Rio Gold WF 3wt. I liked it best with the Rio, which is the same line I use in my Western Glass 863. Not a slow rod like my Yomogi, but medium, and smooth. Ben knew what he was doing with this taper. I can see it as a point and shooter under some overhanging cover. I like it.


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Post 21 Jul 2022, 10:46 • #22 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 1847
Location: Michigan
Looks like it works great!


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Post 21 Jul 2022, 17:35 • #23 
Guide
Joined: 05/02/13
Posts: 213
Location: Almonte, ON, Canada
I like it


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Post 21 Jul 2022, 19:48 • #24 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/12/16
Posts: 4093
Location: USA-CO
Very well done indeed, including the inscription. Thanks for showing!


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