What would be better for 2 or 3 wt fly rod using 7x tippet--a titanium carbide regular fly loop or a ceramic tip top 6mm or 7mm?

thanks

john kepka

For me it would depend on what the rest of the guides were. If the other guides, except the stripper, were wire I'd use a wire loop tip top. On a rod that light, if I was using ceramics, I wouldn't use a 7mm, a 6mm is more than adequate. To me, it doesn't make any sense to use a tip top that's larger than the adjacent guides, looks goofy and doesn't accomplish anything as far as I can tell.

Just building a 2/3 wt. I put a cerment 7mm on it. That guide is acutally lighter than the wire loop tops because of the stupid way they make the cheaper wire loop tops that I bought (big tube, little hole, heavy). I used REC some single foots and ordered the REC wire loop. It was just so ugly and the wire looked so fine that I chose to go with the extra weight of the cerment. If you want a really light top let me know and I will send you one.

Yeah, it might "look funny" up there, but you would be suprised how little time I spend looking at the tip guide when I am fishing. Looking for it maybe, but not at it.

I have built a few 3 wt fly rods and have always used the Fuji SIC 6mm tiptop. One customer fishes 300 days out of the year (retired and live right by the water) and has had no problems. I built him a 5wt with a 6mm top as well, same story. This comes to personal preference and theories, but I don't use wire guides or snakes on any rod.

I used and REC tip top in a 3 wt I built for my son. I thought that it lacked a bit of "cosmetics." In fact I thought it was just a little on the big side, but I stuck with it because all of the guides were recoil. Now I am building three more rods so I am looking for more ideas. Since I need to order more guides, I want to get it all at once if I need another top.
thanks
john

I am with Gerry on this one. Whatever the other guides are. Just beware that extra weight on the tip of a 2 weight is to be avoided. The REC tip top looks clunky though. The chrome Sage RHCFL is available through Angler's and is completely round. I would use the REC with REC guides and the RHCFL with other wires. Ceramics are tricky because the unbraced tip tops are coated stainless and braced titanium ceramics look even clunkier than the REC.

The REC top may look a little funny , but they are extreamly light and work nice . I just ordered 2 sets of Recoils for a 1wt . and a 4wt .I am going to try the Recoil strippers this time , as I have not used them in the past . They also don't have the pretty lines and shape as a traditional stripper .......but , who cares as long as they work, and I'm sure they are light weight. Just my 2 cents. John

Got Fish ?

John. You might consider a TATSG for a stripper. I just put one on a 0 weight with the #6 REC single foot as the next guide. Neat. I bought some REC casting and spinning strippers but didn't like the look at all.