I'm building a rod for a TU fundraiser - 9 ft 4 pc, 4 wgt Orvis T3 mid-flex blank. A couple questions -- if any of you folks have advice/counsel, I'd really appreciate it.

I have guide placement from flyfisherman.com chart for a 9 ft, 4 pc, 4 wgt (thanks Jim Benenson for answer to Rafael) that places guides just above the female ferrules (tip over). I'm using titanium single foot guides -- I assume I should wrap the female ferrule first and then wrap the SFs on just above the ferrule wrap to ensure good splitting strength ? (rather than finish the SF guide wrap above and leave maybe a 1/4" of the ferrule un-reinforced) ?

The ferrule fits on this blank leaves about 1/2" length of stepped-down thickness on the male joint outside the female joint when inserted -- it's about .010" reduction. I don't like the aesthetics of this, has anyone else wrapped this reduction to build up this thickness to match the female ferrule ? If so, do you like the look or should I leave it unfilled ?

Appreciate any advice/opinions. Thanks

Tony,
Just include the guide wrap into the ferrule wrap. I usually just make one consecutive wrap as long as the distance to the guide isnt more than an inch. Also, have you done static guide placement? If not you should od that before you begin wrapping as not all 4wts or any 2 blanks for that matter made the same. You may find that your SGP doesnt quite match up with the spacing recs. and thats fine because basic guide placements are generalizations in my opinion. ALL blanks should be static tested. It helps you get one step closer to building a fantastic fishing tool.
Just my $.02
Kyle