I'm awaiting arrival of a forecast 4wt fly rod blank - can't WAIT ! Will be my first fly rod build, second rod build overall. Would you recommend single foot ceramic type fly guides, or will they be too heavy for a 4wt rod? I understand the desire to keep the line away from the blank, and would prefer to use these guides if possible - probably Fuji Alconites, although I'm also kicking around Amtak Titans. Also, I have gleaned some info from other posts that makes me want to go (sizing) 10, 8, then 6's on out to the tip (probably 9 guides total, 8'6" rod) Does that sound reasonable? Any suggestions? Thanks a ton!

Rich - I would use SF ceramics and set it up temp just as you have listed. Then static test for any final adjustments.

I just finished a 9' 4wt Forecast(dk blue 2005) with single foot alconites as you described.
I used double foot 10 & 8 CLNAG's as the strippers, and CLAG 6's the rest of the way.
Wrapped with Blue Dun (used CP) and white ncp trimbands.
RB

If you got the money, check out the Titans from American Tackle. Light as a feather A little overkill maybe but nice

Hi Rich! I've built a number of Forecast 4wts up with sf ceramics. As big of a fan as I am of these guides, however, most times I've ended up feeling the guides slightly overpwered (i.e. over-weighted) the tip half of the blank. This seemed more true on the 2pc-ers than the 3 and 4, but on all of them I've decided to stick with REC Recoil, H&H sf standoffs, or Forecast TiCh plated wire guides for 4wts and down on this blank series. If you're interested, I'd be happy to work up a "guide set" price on any of the above...we're halfway through adding guide sets to our site but unfortunately only have the ceramics up so far.

Anyway, enjoy the build, and the rod! I know you will--they're great sticks.

I like single foot ceramics. I like the titanium framed SIC fuji's because they are light. But they are expensive. So what I do when I build a rod for myself is to mix guide types. Weight at the tip is more important than elsewhere.

I would use either a REC recoil tip or a Alconite tip and then use REC recoil guides for the first 3 or 4 from the top and then use the Alconite single foots the rest of the way. You could use a single foot for the stripper too on that light a rod. Bottom line is to work out some way to save weight at the tiptop and towards the tip of the rod without spending more than you need to. The worst choice would be to use a standard wire loop tiptop, because they are generally heavier than even the alconite tops.

8.5' 4wt is an ideal size for most trout fishing, in my opinion.

I am just finishing a 2/3 wt made this way, except that I used titanium SIC instead of alconite and it casts very well. The ceramics get the line running smooth and it breezes through the recoil wire guides near the top just fine.

How about the Batson or Amtak single foot fly guides - how do these compare in weight to the alconite? Basically, I'm not sure if I'll keep this rod or sell it (or give it to a relative, etc.) - so I want to stay with one model guide for aesthetics. I have decided on probably ceramic - so I am looking for the lightest ceramic I can get without breaking the bank! Titans are still a possibility as well. What about the ti-plated metal guides from Batson, etc - do they cast as well as a ceramic?

Thanks for all the help - you guys are great!