Choosing an inexpensive fly rod...

Roger Simon emails me from Michigan with this question.
Can you recommend a "reasonable" flyrod or blank in 9-10 wgt? I'm currently using a St.Croix 7-8 and can't seem to get the 50-70 ft range with this rod.
Great looking website. Rog Simon

Hi Roger.. glad to help.. While I'm not familiar with that rod blank personally... there shouldn't be a problem getting the distance you're looking for from that blank.. At the risk of sounding a bit pompous, I believe a slight change in your casting stroke would make a dramatic change in the distance you can throw. Learning a "power" stroke during the cast and stopping the tip higher at the end of each cast (watching that the flyline is cast in a direction that is parallel to the water) should help.. I've still got my first flyrod, an old fiberglass rod, that though it is a very slow action, 60 feet is easily obtained with it, provided i take the time to allow it to load. I seem to have the same problem in my golf game, distance and accuracy. I purchase new clubs, hoping each will straighten the ball path and gain distance, but without the technical aspects of my golf swing mastered, even the new equipment fails me.. That being said, I have had clients with St Croix, Redington, Temple Fork and even Cabelas make a few that should please you.. One quick note, feel is an important thing and with the wind or slick calm days we have here in the Keys, a faster (stiffer) flyrod helps to transmit the energy at the base of the rod to the tip.. making for a more powerful, longer cast. But taking the time to master the cast technically is paramount. Hope this helps! Best Regards, Barry