Finally getting a chance to build a rod for myself and I have chosen a St. Croix SCIV 9ft 10wt. Building it up with a full wells grip, fuji graphite no. 16 seat with attached fighting butt and fuji SiC ti's. Looking for feedback on my guide size selection - double foot V-style 20, dbl foot V 16, dbl foot V 12, and the following fly guides: 10 and 8's out to the tip. Due to our recent weather I haven't had a chance to get out and make some test cast, so I don't have any test data yet, but what is your thoughts on starting out with a 20 instead of a16? My initial thought is that I won't need a 20 ring size but I do like the height of the 20 over the 16, a 16 single foot seems about right and is probably strong enough, but I'm looking for durability since the rod will be used in the salt water on a boat ( my rods seem to take more abuse while running from spot to spot).
Thanks in advance for any info.
Stay warm,
Ken Saums

I built a 10wt 4pc SCV for kings in AK, and in test casting that rod, a double foot #16 didnt cause any line-slap, but still let line pass efficiently. The #20 seemed a little big and bulky for this application. If ring height and durability is what you are looking for, try something like a Pac Bay LCTVSG16.
I also used a Pac Bay channel-lock seat, and had both the 2" and 5" removable fighting butts. The 5" was sure a help when lifting and roll-casting type-V sinking line.
Cheers,
RB

I built a Dan Craft FT 10 wt 10 ft 4 pc as a switch rod and followed the advice of Bob Meiser and used only 8 guides. It will cast a Delta Spey WF 10/11 line 80 feet with no problem. Started out with a guide on each ferrule and used the static guide placement method for the others.

Butt Section: No guides
Section 2: 2
Section 3: 3
Section 4: 3

Guide Spacing: 5 5/8 19 29 1/4 39 1/2 49 59 1/2 74 1/2 87 1/2

Ring Size: 6 6 8 8 8 10 16 20

The 20 seems/looks large but the way it casts why change. I don't know if this is appicable to your 9wt.

Bob







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2005 03:20PM by Bob Crook.