H & H IM6 Blanks

[fulano]

Hook and Hackle is discounting their IM6 blanks 40% right now. I went through the process of selection on their site for a 8'6" 5 wt. rod building kit, complete with all the glues and a rod case. Retails for $138 before the discount so the total is $82.00. This seems like too good of a deal to pass up but I don't know what the IM6 rod compares to. Has anybody casted these rods or fished with them much. If I can get the blank only for the same 40% discount am I better off going that way and purchasing the parts and pieces separately?

This is probably not a fair question but does the rod compare to a St Croix Legend Ultra, a Scott A-2, a Loomis GL3 type rod. Based on the retail price that H&H sells the finished rods for, I would guess it is in the same class as these rods. Does the IM6 label indicate a certain modulus of graphite and is it considered a quality building material?

[cheech]

I just built a 904 and a 906. I think these are GREAT blanks. I, however, am fairly easily pleased. If you try to compare the blanks too much, you might never be happy. I see it as a new adventure each time. I usually build a rod, and just get used to it afterward. I know that some of you may call me nuts for that mentality, but it works for me. I say get the whole kit. You won't find a better deal anywhere.

cheech

[fulano]

Thanks for the feedback.

Did you get the Green finish or the black matt finish and how does the one that you got look?

[cheech]

Fulano Tal,

I got the green finish. They are VERY nice looking. Kind of winstonish green.

[Ouzel]

ask H & H for comparison info?

There are so many ways to roll a blank even from the same material that it is difficult to get apples and apples. When the cloth fiber mix is changed you are not only in a different ballpark but you've changed zip codes.

Have you fly fished before? What type of flex do you like? Do you plan to fish mostly lakes or streams and rivers? Big rivers? Maybe a 6 wt. would be better. For rivers like the Provo, Weber, Ogden etc. a 8' 6" - 5 wt. would get it done but a 9' or 9' 6" would help a bit and also get your line a little high to get over the bushes in back.

Like buying a vehicle, there are a lot of options and opinions but since it's your money you ought to first decide how and where you think you will use the equipment.

[newtyer]

Buy it, its probably worth it. Its either a pac bay or rainshadow blank. both are great.

[cheech]

Buy it, its probably worth it. Its either a pac bay or rainshadow blank. both are great.

Bob swears that it's different from the rainshadow, but I can't see any difference. You are probably right there.

[Curtis Fry]

I can't tell the difference either. I built a PacBay 6 wt a couple months back and it's a nice rod.

[klinkhammer]

I just built an IM6 4 weight and they told me that at 44 million modulus it compared with loomis GL3 and the St. Croix SC3 blanks. I really like it and you can't beat the price.

[Ouzel]

How much and where does it flex? Is it fast/slow? Does it bend down into the handle or mainly at the tip?

What, what, what?

[klinkhammer]

It is a fast rod and is fairly stiff and really light. The flex is pretty balanced, but seems to be in the tip of the rod on my four weight.

[Ouzel]

Thank you for the info but I prefer the other end of the spectrum, especially for light rods.