I'm building a 9' #9 fly rod (Sage XP, 4-piece) and had a question regarding guide sizes and placement. I was planning the following:

TSVSG 16, TSVSG 12, TLSG 8's to the tip

When I place the guides on the blank and have the blank in a straight, neutral position, the line rests on the bottom of the 16 and the first 8 but runs through the center of the 12. It does not hit the bottom of the 12 until a load has been put on the rod. I was wondering if this is a risk. Tried sliding the 12 back but then the gap to the first 8 seems too big. If I move the 8 the I just create the problem further up the blank. If I replace the 12 with a TSVSG 10, then it lines up better. Anybody ever go from a 16 straight to a 10, does it matter? I wanted to stick with the 16 to get the height of that guide.

Any help appreciated, even if it's just to say I'm missing the point on how to place guides!

Thanks,
Brian

Brian,
Use the Static Guide Placement Instructions in the library. To simplify the method, guides are placed by putting more guides on than you will actually need and then adjusting them rearwards(towards the butt) as you flex the blank. It might seem intimidating the first time you use it but as you work the guides rearwards, removing the extra guides as you go, you'll see that the line will start to match the flex of the blank. The system works well but if you still have questions do a search on "static guide placement" as this topic has been covered here many times and you will probably find answers to your questions.
Good Luck!
Lynn
Santa Rosa, CA

What I am about to say is heresy...

On a fly rod, no matter how much you tweak the guides, you won't make a huge difference in performance... unless you tweak them so bad you hurt the performance.

Let's say you use the static placement test and can increase the casting distance 10%. That adds 8 feet to an 80 foot cast. Do you really need the 8 feet? How often do you catch a fish that was cast at your maximum distance?

And truthfully, I really don't think you can improve 10% no matter what you do on a fly rod. Maybe a baitcaster or spinner, but not fly.

Why not go with the Sage chart (which we know gives good performance) and not risk messing it up?

Not much to worry about but use the 10 if it seems better to you. There is absolutely no reason you have to try and use all the guides made nor in any particular order.

Use whatever gives you the straightest and best line path.

.........

Thanks for the input guys, appreciated.

Brian