I am going to make two fly rods, both 6Wt, one 8'mod/fast and one 9'fast. The info I have is to use #3 and #4 guides. I am not flyfisher, but, man those look small! Is that right, or does anyone else have suggestions on guide size? My appreciation in advance, JC

Jim, that sounds about right. Why don't you try single foot Sic guides instead. Do your static test and mount the guides with tape to see where they will go. I usually use a #12 stripper to start and then go with #8 til the last two or three and then use a#7 or #6. It works for me.

Randy

It sounds right to me also. I know what you mean they do look small. Some prominent builders (like LA Garcia) advocate larger guides on fly rods. But I think they look a little funny. I have always just used Hook and Hackle's size and spacing chart and all of my rods so far have worked great.
Greg

If you're considering using single foot ceramic guides, I would highly recommend using spinning guides instead of fly guides. The feet on the fly guides are about 50% longer than on spinning guides which makes for really long wraps. The other problem with them is the shape of the foot, it's like an arrowhead that quickly decreases in width right at the bend which makes using a locking wrap a nightmare. The spinning guides are only a tiny bit taller, but have shorter feet and the Forhan locking wrap works extremely well.

BTW, Louis Garcia learned about oversized guides from Lefty Kreh. Louis and I both belonged to TU in Denver around 25 years ago and Lefty came to Denver for our annual banquet and @#$%&. He also put on a casting demonstration for some of us and talked extensively about using oversized guides to improve casting distance. With snake guides I think it makes some difference, but now that I've switched to ceramics I've gone the other way and can't notice any decrease in distance with smaller guides.