Hello everyone, I am about to order materials to build a 12 wt fly rod for tarpon. I built my 9 wts. using a 16 and 12 double footed strippers, a single foot 10, and single foot 8's out to the tip top. Is the same sizing suitable for a 12 wt? What's your input? Any thoughts on the real need for a double type rod grip?

Thanks to everyone who helps make projects come out better for guys like me!

J.C. Smith
Branchport, NY

The same sizes will work find for the 12wt. Whatever is zipping through your 9 weights will zip equally well through your 12 with the same guides. Some will use #10 guides if they must pass really large connections and the 12 weight will handle those with no problem.

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You don't want to use a foregrip on a blank unless the blank is designed for a foregrip.

When you use a fore grip you are concentrating the stress towards the foregrip. If the designer of the blank did not account for that you may be asking for some trouble.

Christian

You can try a few ideas with the foregrip. Extend the cork "x" number of rings to give the angler some extra grip leverage but not so much that he can reach up onto the blank where the taper starts to change. This is very critical as a high reach up on the blank will be a prescription for failure. I have seen some new factory rods lately that have a 6" eva style grip past the 7 1/2 cork grip (Loomis). The rod mfgr may be able to give you some guidance on this. Adding a longer extention butt may be the direction to go. Be aware that long butt extensions catch fly line loops!
As for the guides, get the fly line and mic the largest part of the taper as well as finding out what kind of knots and leader set-up the angler intends to use. That will tip you off to the guide size. I have used size 8 without issue. I have also seen knots tied that need size 10. Also a size 8 alconite has an ID larger than some of the older model hard alum oxide guides size 10's. Drop me an email if you want to discuss further.
Kenneth Prager