rod builders,

i have read that

"Fly rods shoot line best with the guides mounted exactly opposite the spine."

if this is so, what is the best method to achieve this?

for example join a two piece blank apply pressure to tip to create a bow. China mark the INSIDE of this bow and mount the guides on the OUTSIDE (opposite side) of the bow/china marks?

in other words is the oppisite side of the spline the back side of the curve? or visa versa?

thanks for bearing with a newbie query.

confused...

mforrest

marc

check the FAQ near the top of the first rodbuilding.org page. it'll explain what you can do. if any further questions, post again.

eric
fresno, ca.

Not necessarily so.

See my extensive quote from last August of an interview in RodMaker.

[www.rodbuilding.org]


To Spine vs. Not To Spine is a good debate with no real conclusions; just a lot of opinions. That's my take on it so far. I'm going to disregard the spine and go for the straight blank on my next fly rod.

My understanding of the spine and guide placement goes like this;

The position in which the rod rests while flexed is the direction it will bend with least resistance. The opposite side is the direction of most resistance.

If you want to create a softer action when fighting fish, place the guides on the inside of the natural curve, to stiffen a rods fighting action, place the guides opposite the natural curve.

With casting in mind, if you want the most power in your forward cast the guides ought to be placed on the soft side of the curve. The idea being that the rod loads up (resists bending at the beginning of your forward cast) thus building more power leading to faster line speed. At the rest stage of a forward cast the rod more easily follows the line direction allowing presumably for less friction and greater distance.

Placing guides on the other side of the curve would reverse the scenario and create more power etc. on the backcast.

Not quite true - the softest and stiffest axis are not 180 degrees apart. Well, in some rare cases they are, but more often they're not.

The difference between the softest and stiffest axis on any blank is minimal - just .1 or .2 at most on the ERN scale.

If you want more power - move to a more powerful blank. If you desire less power, move to a less powerful blank.


.............

Thanks all for the replies,

i think i have a much better understanding now.

mforrest