I'm in the process of building a 9', 10-11 wt fly rod, that I'll be using to fish for striped bass and bluefish, almost exclusively from shore (surf and back bay).

I've built other rods before, but this is my first fly rod, and I have a question about wrapping the guides. On all the other surf rods I built, I used an underwrap of Size A thread, and wrapped the guides onto the blank with Size D thread. I really like the way they turned out, as the underwrap created a base that the epoxy could penetrate, and the end result was an extremely stable, and hopefully extremely durable, finish.

My question, then, is should I do this with a fly rod? It will not be abused quite as much as my heavier surf rods, but it will still be used in the same conditions. Will the underwraps make the finished rod more durable? Or will they just add unnecessary weight?

Any thoughts from those more experienced than me are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

It is my opinion that they (underwraps) will add unnecessary weight! Prep the guide feet properly and they'll not be needed.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Chris,

On a rod that powerful, underwraps won't affect the performance at all. Stan is right that if the underside of the guide is prepped properly, an underwrap is not necessary. However, it will add a measure of protection to the blank (and it looks nice). It's your choice, but mine would be to use an underwrap.

Jim

Proper guide feet prep combined with the improved epoxies used in the MFG of rod blanks today have made underwraps virtually unnecessary; save possibly for heavy duty situations as you have described. I used to remove guides from older rods that had actually dented the blank and left an impression. I only see this now on older blanks. Sometimes I will use under wraps on smaller single foot wire fly guides just to add .006" (Size A) height to the low sitting smaller guide rings or wire loops so to avoid the possible friction incurred with line slap.

One trick I learned when using underwraps is to wrap the under wraps 180 degrees to how you are going to wrap the the over wrap, but note I also wrap "A" over "A" size thread. i.e. underwraps start at the guide eye side and then proceed down towards the tapered foot end, then BURNISH WELL, when you overwrap go up the guide foot as yuo normally do.

I justed finished a 10wt fly rod and used no underwraps. Underwraps are a thing of the past for me. I used size A thread to wrap the singlr foot Titan guides on to the blank. I don't think underwraps will add protection to the blank because if you don't prep the guide foot properly the guide foot would cut the wrap. So the whole key is prepping the guide foot.

The underwraps will do nothing but add weight. They do not protect the blank nor make the blank more durable.

..............

I trust all the information here. I just finished a 10/11 fly rod for a customer in Alaska. He demanded that it have underwraps. I whole hearly agree with Mr. Kirkman (I have seen this reply from him before). I muust admit it sure added a great finish look to a big rod. Good luck

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

What should I be doing to prep the underside of the guides?

I have only been grinding the topsides so the thread will climb easily.

Thanks
Trey

Level the bottoms by filing with a chain saw file. Fix the file in a vice and make passes with your guide in the direction of the cut until the bottom appears even and level. I do this prior to filing the top ramp as it may save you a few passes on the top portion and you will be beveling to a slightly different point in many cases.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Trey, make sure when you are done grinding the topsides that a small burr is not left on the underside edge of the guide foot because that is will what eventually work its way into and damage the blank upon flexure. A few quick passes of a fine diamond file is all that is generally needed.

Thanks
Trey