Hello out there,

I intend to build up a RPLXI 990-3 blank.

The original guide layout (for size and placement) is in my hands, at least as a guide hahaha.

Now, for whatever reason I cannot get rid of the idea to build this rod up with Alconite or SiC guides from top to bottom. But I have no idea if that really makes sense or if I should stay with a more conventional setup, the stand out snakes from H&H for the part between the tip top and the strippers are still in my head.

My questions:

1. How to choose the right sizes of guides. Should be the inner diameter identical between the original guides an the Alconites/Sics?

2. Does any bigger changes in regard of the positioning/placement are to be observed?

3. Does anybody have some tables with the weights of the guides which could be in the game (CFAT, CLAG, CMNAG)?

4. Does a tip top with some side supports wight create soem problems during casting/fishing (like the CFAT for example) ?

5. Please also comment the idea with the stand out snakes.


When I bought the blank everything was absolutely clear to myself, no wI have the feeling I do not know everything...


Thanks in advance for your help.


Regards from teh Baltic Sea,
Ole

I have limited experience, but all of the fly rods I have built for myself use ceramics and I love them. On a 9wt rod, I am betting most will tell you to use ceramics. You can do a search on this forum and find some data on guides weights and recommendations; but I imagine something like LVSG16, BLAG10, BLAG7s (however many) and an FST tip would work great. On a rod that heavy I have heard people recommend a "tamer" guide, say an LVSG12, between the 16 and the 10. I do not think the ID has to be the same as for wire snake guides.

Ole, I just built myself a pair of 10-weight saltwater rods, and since I was a total novice to building fly rods, I built one with snake guides and one with ceramics. It's been fun to compare the two.

My opinion -- and this is just my opinion, remember -- is that when fishing I vastly prefer the ceramic guide setup. The snake guides work OK, but the ceramics just seem to do a better job while the rod is being used.

I don't have enough experience with fly rods to give you any technical advice on ring size or any of that stuff. But I would recommend ceramics. If I ever build another fly rod -- and I certainly hope that I do -- it will be with ceramic guides.

I would use ceramics all the way. A #12 stripper, #10 line tamer 100mm. from the stripper, #10, and either #7's or 8's to the tip to pass the connections used for shooting heads or whatever. I recently built an 8wt. Reddington for salt water and used a #12 CLNAG alconite stripper, #10 CLAG line tamer, #10 CLAG, then #8's to the #4.5 CFAT 8mm. ring tip. The guides passed the connections Mark likes to use for his shooting heads, etc. better than #7's did on testing. He's happy with the rod. Ralph

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