I am currently building a 6'6" 2wt (my second rod) for a friend and have a few #10 and #8 Single foot SIC guides. I was thinking of using the #10 as the stripper but then I thought about using the #8 as the second guide instead of the #3 or #4 single foot wire guide. Will this be overkill or would this be something that could reasonably be done and add to casting characteristics of this rod? I was thinking #10, #8, 3,2,2,1,1 and the sic tip top.

This is pretty important to me as it will be his primary rod on our amazing little spring creeks. Thanks for all your help as always your information has proven to be extremely valuable to me.

Honestly, on a rod that small, you might find that the 8 would be plenty big enough for the stripper. I would test cast it both ways, then go with the best casting option between the 8 and the 10 single foot. Again, with the second guide, just play with it a little. There's absolutely no reason you couldn't go directly from a sz. 8 stripper right into your sz. 3 wire guide.

As strong as the modern single foot guides are, there's really no reason to bother with double-foot guides until you get up to 8 or 9 wt. (maybe not even then). Personally, I've not used a double-foot guide in ages. That includes casting, spinning and fly guides. About the only reason to consider using them is if your rod will be banged around a lot going in and out of a rod locker. There's hardly any fishing pressure that could damage a single foot fly guide.

To increase casting performance reduce weight. No need for the "3 - 2 - 2 - 1 - 1" just go from the 10 to the 8 to the 1's on out. Skip the larger and heavier guides (only slightly heavier, but your's a very light rod).


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Jason,

I used a #8 SF fly guide for my stripper, then 3-2-1's out to the tip. I think it casts great, very accurate and will shoot lots of line too.


Mark

Jason,

I've built quite a few 6' 6" 2 wts. for customers.

I use all single foot guides. Two #6 SIC single foot 'fly' style for the stripper/line tamers and then the smallest single foot wire I can find for the rest, including one wrapped on as a tip guide.

The one I built for me, I used all #6 SICs and it casts incredibly well. If I'd of had the 5.5s in stock, I'd have used them instead.

On a rod such as this, I think smaller is always preferable for ALL the guides.

Good Luck!

Buddy