I recently posted a question about guides for a salt water 7-wt, and Tom Kirkman replied with his suggestion of 12 (high), 10, and the rest 7's. I will probably go with this configuration, but it brings up the question of using a similar configuration for trout rods (4 or 5 wt.) Since 8's are skipped for the 7-wt, would a 10, 8, and the rest 6's work for a lighter rod (skipping the 7's)?

Jim

Jim

For your 4 and 5 wt I would suggest this guide pattern

Stripper Size 12

Single leg 10 qty 1

Single leg 8 qty1

Single leg 7 out through to tip. or size 6 if you are sure that the line will fly through this smaller guide size


You may prefer a size 6 ring but they are very small. Too small a ceramic will prevent good line shoots in my view. I don't think you neeed two double footed rings on such light rods but if you like the look of them the extra weight would be the square root of &89%$$" all. Asthetically a 12 Stripper followed by a two footed size 10 I am sure would look cool.

There are quite a few options. There is nothing to stop you following your stripper guide with all 6 or 7 running guides. I personally don't like the look but it will perform OK.

You are on the right track and you can always modify if necasary at a later date.


Regards

Mike OLiver

Here is a guide pattern I like and while I don't claim to be a great fly-caster I can cast farther than I like to fish. For 4, 5 or 6 wt. : Fuji Alconite B/CLNAG #12 stripping guide, #10 B/CLAG., #8, and #6's to the tip. In some cases with a #6 as the tip. For 3wt. B/CLAG 10 stripping guide, #8, and #6's to and for the tip. Also, if needed or wanted, a taming guide the same size as the guide next to the stripper 100 mm. /4in. in front of the stripping guide can work well. The only limiting factor is the knot connecting the leader to the flyline or shooting heads. If you can't pass these knots easily through a #6 guide / tip then you need #7's or #8's. These patterns are the ones on my personal fly rods. Ralph

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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2005 04:43PM by Ralph Jones.

Bang on Ralph