Good Morning all,
I have a couple of quick questions for guide reccomendations. I have some ultra lights that I am going to be building up soon. They are the 2s46ulm St. Croix's and a couple of Pac Bays (five footers, don't remember blank #). I was poking around on Anglers Resource and noticed the high framed ultra light guides they have. I remember seeing something similar to these when I was a kid on some Shakespear rods and was wondering if anyone has used these and what your opinions are on them. I would also like to know if there is any benefit over the standard concept style guides most of us are using now.

Once again thanks to all of you for the time and help and to Tom for providing such and awesome site and magazine.

Thanks,
Tom Kaufmann

If you are talking about the " M " guides, I consider them a little high. Have used them but now stay with the Concept type.

Are you talking about the BMNVAT guides? Have a european match rod with the older double footed versions on it. They work beautifully with no line slap or restriction to speak of up to 8 lb line, used it as my first steelhead float rod. I'd give it a try. Suprising what a size 10 high frame stripping guide will do.

I have built ultra-lights on the blanks you intend to use. I like to start with a #16 Pac-Bay M series guide(This is the same style you were looking at) Followed by a BYAG #10 and then #6 alconite fly guides to the tip. I use a fly guide instead of a normal tip top to cut down on weight. I have also used M series guides on the entire rod. Both set ups work well. I believe the key is matching that first guide to both the reel and the line you intend to use. If the reel spool has a greater diameter or you plan un useing a line above say 4 Lbs. a #20 BYAG might be a beter choice than the #16 M series.

I use the hi-frame guides on all my ultra-lites. The customers love them.

Tight lines,
Art
mrparramoure@yahoo.com

Art,
Do you use the standard type of sizing or do you step down the sizes as in the concept style? Sorry to be such a pain with all of the questions, just would like to make these turn out nice.

Thanks,

Tom Kaufmann
tom059@comcast.net
or
tritontk@yahoo.com

It all depends on your reel. I use TK's "concept system" on almost all my rods now. On my last UL, I used Fuji Alconites. BYAG20J, 12J, 8L, then CLAG 7, then 3 CLAG6's, and the tip, a BFAT 6. This was on a 6 ft rod. With an Abu Cardinal 100U, it cast like a rocket, even outcasting my mate's 7 ft production stick (same guides) and Daiwa Capricorn 1500. To say I was impressed is an understatement.