Loomis IMX 9'-4wt. fast action

[TroutTackler]

I have an anonymous friend that is looking to build a new rod. Would the Loomis IMX 9'-4wt. FAST action from Hook & Hackle at $150 be a good deal? Does anyone know of a better deal? Has anyone ever worked with this rod before? Thanks.

[runner]

Hook and Hackle are selling the newer version of the GLoomis IMX I believe. I have an original 9' 4wt GLoomis IMX from Anglers Workshop back in 2000 - The older version and the newer version may not be the same rod - anyway I paid around $100 for the blank and it is my go to rod on the Hooch DH - I use a Orvis 5wt DT when I am throwing lead - wooly buggers and nymphs with sinkers -for dries, I switch to a 444 Cortland 4 wt WF - l cant tell much about any rod when chucking lead, but for a pure dry fly action I really like it.

Mike

[Windknot]

Dan Craft's FT blanks have gotten quite good reviews, and the are under a C note.

http://www.dancraftent.com/loadit.html

His catalog is downloadable on pfd format.

GonetoSeed - Any issues w/Craft? I was going to give a link to Rocky Mt. rodbuilding (they had the best descriptions of DC's blanks, IMHO), but the'y're off Rodbuilding.org sponsor list, and I saw mentions of delivery problems. TIA

Don

[jtysone]

I got my dan craft ft 9'5wt from rocky mnt. You can order from dan crafts web site also. Josh

[GonetoSeed]

To answer the question as I understand H&H's deal, $150 plus the free component kit is a good deal - if the components are of the style and quality you want on the finished rod. The kit Bob is offering is a good one, but personally, I like to pick my own components for example a Struble or REC seat and SF ceramics for a rod this length and weight (and blank price).

btw, as I understand it, the way that Loomis's (Shimano's) blank program is set up the only way you can get a "discount" is the way Bob is bundling the component kit. Unless the blank is being discontinued and is therefore being discounted across all distributors. So if your friend has fished and really likes IMX, $150 is what it's going to cost.

So I think this goes to Windknot's point. There are some other blank options that are very comparable to the IMX at a lower price point which will let you upgrade the components and end up with a better overall rod. Windknot mentioned Dan Craft.
Dan's blanks have an almost cult like following among some rod builders, at least a lot that hang out on rodbuilding.org. imo, Dan's blanks deserve their following.

Here is the link to the descriptions on Rocky Mountain http://www.rockymountainrodbuilding.com/Default.aspx?tabid=60 I will say that dealing directly with Dan is probably best. He is a low volume business and doesn't have the working capital to build a lot of inventory and his blanks, especially the FT and Sig Vs, are in high demand so sometimes his delivery to the customer is dependent on deliveries to him from the factory. Dan is a straight up guy and will be upfront and make good on the delivery. It just might take some time.

Another option is Batson Enterprises' Rainshadow series. A lot of the folks at Batson came from the original Loomis. http://www.batsonenterprises.com/rodblanks.php
There RX8+s are often compared to GLX. They only come in 4 or 5 pc so the price is above the $150 range. However, the H&H XT51 (51 modulus) is actually the original Batson RX8 series, is a great deal and builds into an excellent fast action rod.

I'm not recommending the Dan Craft over the IMX. In fact I haven't built on a new IMX. It's just that after Shimano bought Loomis there was evidence that the quality of the blank program had fallen off (crooked blanks, bad finish, etc). The blanks most often mentioned as best alternative were Dan's. It does appear that Shimano has taken steps to return the blank program to its former status, probably with a lot of encouragement from Gary Loomis - it's still his name on the blank. But once market share is lost it's hard to get back. In some respects tough it doesn't matter. Bob at H&H has some of the best customer service in the business and will make good on replacing any blank that shows up with a defect.