I'm about to try building my first fly rod. On the spinning rods I build, I place the guides on the inside of the curved blank (the spine is on the outside of the curve if I am correct).

Are the guides inside or outside of the curve on a typical fly rod? Assuming a 4 piece rod, do you worry about the spine in all four sections or just in the top one or two?

Thanks,

Skip Kerwin

I think the rule is that guides on a spinning and fly rod are located along the same axis, opposite the spine, while guides on a baitcast/spincast rod are aligned along the spine. According to the guide, "Handcrafting a Graphite Flyrod" written by L. A. Garcia, placing the guides opposite the spine gives the rod power during backcast and while fighting the fish. Placing the guides along the spine allows the spine to power the forward cast. Still other builders, professional and hobbyist, may disregard the spine altogether and locate the guides oriented to the curve of the tip top, if any curvature is perceived.

Patrick Vernacchio

it doesn't matter as much as you may think. hard to define "typical." read the FAQ about finding the spine near the top of this web page. there's also a BUNCH of threads about this topic if you conduct a search. i started off mounting guides opposite the effective spine. about a dozen rods later, i now mount guides on the straightest axis.

eric
fresno, ca.

There is no rule whatsoever on rod spine. It has little to no effect on casting accuracy and none with regard to rod twist.

What I would recommend is that you just tape on your guides and try the guides on and opposite the spine. Then try them on and opposite the stiffest axis (straightest axis). See which you prefer.

If you need more power, buy a more powerful blank. There won't be enough difference between the softest and stiffest axis (these are not opposite each other) to really make much difference.

There is no right nor wrong way to do this. Set it up the way you prefer.

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