Blue Blank?

[Streamr]

I'll keep this short and hope for some sympathy from you guys/gals! I am in need of a 5wt, 7' to 8'6" rod blank-not so hard huh? I forgot to mention that it absolutely, positively has to be BLUE! It is for a 12 year old so I hope no further explanation is necessary. Any shade of blue will work and I really need some suggestions. Help?

Thanks in advance,
Streamr

[fishnpreacher]

I think Cabelas has a blue "Matrix" (I think) blank on the back cover of their tackle craft catalog. Matching reel seat to boot.

[mmarkey]

Hook and Hackle brand "Forcast" blanks are blue. Not expensive either

[GonetoSeed]

markey's suggestion is a good one. The new (2004) Forecasts are a dark blue. They finish into a great rod. And, they are priced right. I think this is the last week (thru the 30th) of the H&H blank/kit sale, btw.
http://www.mailordercentral.com/hookhack/departments.asp?dept=728

[Ivan]

If you want to spend the extra bucks. You can go with a powell. talon. t&t, winston, sage or Gatti.

[GonetoSeed]

Ivan - you are right, but he/she would have to be a pretty special 12 year old :) around ny house. The first rods I built for my boys were fiberglass. That way I would actually let them fish the rods without threats of bodily harm if they broke them :)

btw, now they build their own and use any blank they can afford or "borrow" from my stash. It's interesting how they care for their gear now that it's their "sweat equity".

[TangledUp]

Streamr:
Grab a Forecast from H&H - they're all blue. I built one last year and it's faster than my other 3 big-name rods. Love it.

TangledUp

[Ivan]

GTS: Your right I slept the twelve year old piece. All my blue rods are Forecast! For all the reasons that make good sense. Dollars and cents. I'm able to maintain a sizable stable of quality rods using those blanks.