GLoomis Blanks

[CoopDeville]

Hey guys, I wasn't too sure to get on here and spill the beans, but here I go. I've fly fished my whole entire life with a Loomis in my hands. I'm not too sure i want to fish with anything else. I decided that I want to build me an eight weight. I've never built a rod before and I don't just want to throw something together. I want to do it right.
So here goes my questions, I'd be obliged for you expertise/knowledge/etc.
First and foremost, where can I buy GLoomis rod blanks locally for a GOOD price? (remembering I'm a poor married college kid)
Where can I buy the rest of the components at a good price?
How long does it take to do a good job?
Is it worth building a 9' 8 weight GL3 when I can buy it at Sportsmen's for $210?
Will it be just as good as the factory made rod?
I'm juggling all these questioning and wondering what I should do. Again, any advice would be much appreciatedl.
Tight lines,
Coop
PS my email is coopcougar83@hotmail.com if'n any of ya want to just email.

[cardiac]

I think you'll probably find most of the stuff you'll need at Fish Tech. Don't know about the Loomis blanks though. Try a Sage blank. You'll not go wrong with it either. Also I understand Hook & Hackle in Kaysville has rod building components.

[Ouzel]

does/did carry Loomis blanks as that is where I bought mine along with other rod compoents.

Of course building a rod as vs to buying a finshed one most often begins with the idea of saving money. It later may develope into a desire to build a rod for a special purpose but seldom used.

Everyone has their own reasons but if you are a poor-married-college-guy then buy the rod at Sportsman and use the hours you save not 'rolling your own' to study some extra hours as your GPA is suffering because of time spent of fly fishing :-).

[carpman]

Sorry, Fish Tech doesn't carry any Loomis products. As mentioned, Sage blanks are available and come highly recommended. If you are set on a Loomis (Shimano) blank, maybe check Four Seasons in Heber.


Sorry Loomis fans, I couldn't resist the Shimano jab...........

[Rod]

Coop
Cabelas has GL3 9' 8 wt, for $129.

I would tend to agree with Ouzel though. By the time you buy components, and time spent wrapping (and un-wrapping, and wrapping and un-wrapping...)
$210 from Sportsman's sounds pretty good.

[gware]

We do not carry G Loomis either but can assist with any other parts that you mey need as well as instructions. If your in Utah Valley, come on in or give me a call.

gware
Lone Peak Outdoor Merchants
648 E. State Rd. Suite G
American Fork, Utah
801-756-1468

[Sumner Newman]

Coop
Cabelas has GL3 9' 8 wt, for $129.

I just checked the Cabelas 2004 catalog and the GL3 9' 8 wt. is $290. Is the $129 price a special clear out on the web site, maybe?

FWIW, I had fished one of the old Loomis GL4 rods (9 ft. 6 wt. custom made), for years. Quite liked it. Then I tried a Sage XP 9ft. 5 wt. and have never looked back. I like the Sage twice as much as my old Loomis - of course part of it is that it's one weight lighter, but still . . . I now carry my old GL4 as a spare in case I break my Sage. (Must admit though, that I never have fished the GLX which would be more comparable to the Sage XP.)

[Bigredhoss]

The only thing that I can say is that when I built my first rod I probably didn't do the best job and I realized when I was done that the blank I had bought was a BLEM with a crack. With that said, building rods for me is more for pure enjoyment and satisfaction then it is to save money and have that rod be the the main one I use. I would say that maybe wait until you have the money and time to build it. I would also suggest maybe a fly building class. They are really nice because for the cost of the class they provide all the materials for the rod.

[cheech]

The only thing that I can say is that when I built my first rod I probably didn't do the best job and I realized when I was done that the blank I had bought was a BLEM with a crack. With that said, building rods for me is more for pure enjoyment and satisfaction then it is to save money and have that rod be the the main one I use. I would say that maybe wait until you have the money and time to build it. I would also suggest maybe a fly building class. They are really nice because for the cost of the class they provide all the materials for the rod.

I know Chris does classes every once in a while. You ought to shoot him an email. He does a lot with Thomas and Thomas blanks, which might also be a good substitute for a GLX.

[Rod]

I just checked the Cabelas 2004 catalog and the GL3 9' 8 wt. is $290. Is the $129 price a special clear out on the web site, maybe?

Here is the link http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0011093315911a&navAction=push&navCount=3&indexId=cat410034&podId=0011093&catalogCode=IE&parentId=cat410034&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431&hasJS=true

[newtyer]

Dont look at it as a way to save money. Atleast not with any major label blanks. They are priced as such that you will almost be forced to buy a factory rod. If you dont have time and dont plan on building a lot more afterwards, which gets spendy just like fly tying, then just go buy one.

If you decide to build still try a cheap 15 buck blank to just get familiar with the process. You more than likely wont damage the blank but you might mess up the epoxy. and turn out a less than stellar, stellar first rod. mine was and i have debated tearing off the wraps many times but wont cant bring myself to do it. to sentimental.

oh ya, if you like Gloomis stay with what you like. I dont know of anyone who sells them locally. Plently of online shops.

[CoopDeville]

Hey, thanks ya'll for the advice; it's very much appreciated. If I have any more questions I know who to talk to.
Again, thanks
Coop

[newtyer]

np, what year is your caddy?

[Castinova]

I got a glomis blank at Round Rocks here in Logan. They had some that were last years models and were about $60. I built one and it works and looks great. I don't know if they still have any but you could check. Their website is roundrocks.com. They won't be on the site but you can e-mail them and see if they have any left.
Castinova