If anyone can help me out, I'd really appreciate it. I have an 8 wt fly rod which I wrapped about 5 years ago. Recently I noticed the guide rings in the two strippers were cracked and sharp as razors. Before removing the guides I further noticed that the blank has a small nick in it – immediately adjacent and below one of the wraps.

So where do I replace the double-foot stripping guide in relation to the nick? Above? Below? Or with the nick centered between the two guide feet? Intuition tells me to center the nick.

I think I came across this once on this board before, but my search skills yielded no catch!

If it were me, I would put the nick under at least a part of one of the guide feet where some part of thread/finish can cover it. That will give you somwhat of a splint that can provide a bit more reinforcement than if you located the nick someplace else, even centered between the feet.

I agree with Mick
Good Wraps Bob

Mick, I liked your idea enough to try it using the lower foot in that manner. The wraps are on the drying motor. Thanks.

You may also try a 00 silk under wrap. then lay the guide over the center and do a over wrap with A or 00 silk thread.
Good Wraps Bob

Like Mick McComesky said, the best bet is to place the nick under or along the SOLE of the guide FOOT, thus using the foot as a stiff splint. If the nick is directly in-between the HEELS of the guide feet, then some flexion will occur. Probably the most flexion would occur if the nick were placed between two adjacent guides, and thus increase the chance of a long-term fatigue failure.

Since this nick is nearer the rod-butt than the rod-tip of an 8-wt fly rod, there is less flexion in this section of the rod blank anyway. However, Fly rods probably get more casting flex-fatigue than other styles of rod blanks.

Chances are, Jay, if this nick has been there that long and not been a problem, it will last another 5 years, or more. ... Good Luck, Cliff Hall, FL-USA.