I have built several fly rods for customers with nothing but satisfaction from the customer however when it comes to guide sizes there are so many opinions. Is there any experienced fly rod builders out there that can give me some opinions?

Thank You

Dave

Sage's site has guide spacing and guide recommendations for their different models. The higher end rods you'll notice have one size smaller upper blank guides than their others. I've used this site to start from and found my own way by trial and error later on. The only real difference on most rods is I go smaller faster than listed usually. I don't use their spacing charts. Really depends on what line(s) the rod's going to throw, shooting heads, loop connections, etc.

David , the sizes of guides you choose should be done to accomidate the sizes of the knots and lines that will be used on the perticular rod you are building .Running guides should be able to pass the line , and any knots incorperated in the line system (shooting heads, line to backing). The strippers usualy remain the standard sizes , I prefer 12 , 10 , on smaller rods , 16 , 12 ,sf10, on larger wieght rods. On larger wt rods , I usualy sep down the runners after the strippers quickly , as Spencer stated , and I like to use the smalles and lightest $ will allow. Good luck , have fun , JD

On freshwater rods, I try to make my running guides no larger than 6mm. On saltwater rods, I consider using 7mm running guides if I'm going to have to pass knots of any sort. I've not found any knots that won't pass through a sz. 7 guide.

Like the other posts mentioned, I drop from strippers to running guides almost immediately. And, I play with the size of my strippers, test casting to find the smallest stripper that will get the job done.