I'm building a musky rod for a buddy. We've decided on a spiral wrap. My question is: can I use fly guides after the spiral is complete? I can't think that the load will be too much for them, especially if I use a locking wrap.

Any input?

I use single footed fly guides on all my musky rods. Size 8 seem to work real well. I have not had any bust out yet due to a big toothy critter.

Gregg

Aaron,

I'm planning to build a spiral guide Musky rod as well. How have you set up your spiral guide spacing? Are you using 3 guides to make the transition (top, 90 degrees, bottom) or 4 guides set 60 degrees apart? How have you determined where the tip-most spiral guide is placed? What spacing do you use between the three or four transition guides?

Hope I'm not being too nosy.

If you like, you can e-mail me directly at ekerwin@wi.rr.com.

Thanks.

Skip Kerwin

Skip,

For the rods I build, I like using 4 guides for the transition. I trry to complet this transition with a spacing between the guides around 12-15 inches, will depend on the blank. I also try to have my 180 degree guide at the point where the blank straightens out when you put a 90 degree bend in the blank. This will vary too if I am using a blank with a fast or extra-fast tip. Also, no problem using fly guides on the tip section, just make sure to use a locking wrap on them.

Mike

I haven't yet set my spacing. I'm actually just about to order it all up. I just wanted to decide on which guides before I ordered. I'll be building as soon as it all arrives.

Good luck!