I prefer ceramic tip tops to wire fly tops and only had one rod with a wire top, my PacBay Traditional 2wt. I just replaced the wire top with a Fuji Alconite #6 ceramic top and it makes a huge difference in the feel of the rod. The line slides through the guides much smoother with the ceramic top!

I didn't want to re-wrap the tip wrap. However, since I apply flex coat onto the tip top tube on all of my rods I had to somehow remove the finish off the tip top without damaging the wrap. So, I carefully sliced off the finish from the tip top with a razor (being careful not to slice into the wrap), heated the top, and slid it right off. I cleaned the tip of the rod, sanded it lightly, and installed the new top with flex coat tip top cement. Now, I wanted to apply a thin coat of finish to the wrap and onto the tip, so I lightly sanded the wrap and applied a thin coat of helsman spar urethane. It looks slightly textured, as urethane usually does compared to the other flex coated wraps, but it is not easily noticed. It was a simple repair which took all of 15 minutes.

I can't wait to get this rod on the water again. I'm gonna love my new and improved 2 wt!

Lou

Even before I made the switch to all ceramics for my running guides I was already using ceramic tip tops. It really does make the line move easier and smoother and they don't wear out!

You can use a regular ceramic fly guide as a tip to get a really light tip instead of a tube type tip. tie it on with a Forhan security wrap. I've done this with 2-6wt. rods and not had a tip come off yet. Looks different. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

I also forgot to mention that I do use ceramic running guides on most of my rods, with the exception of the short, light rods where I use single foot wire guides. This was the only rod that had single foot wire guides and a wire top.

Lou