I'm getting ready to build an 9' 8 wt fly rod for bonefish, and I want to use REC snake guides. I'm not sure if I should use the light saltwater or the heavy duty saltwater guides for the rod. I also would like opinions on strippers. I've never built an 8wt. Do I need two strippers? I was considering the Fuji SIC guidde, but could use the RECoil stripper. I welcome your opinions.

Fran
My partner and I have been building saltwater fly rods for the last 30 years. And during this time we have used every conceivable combination of guide type and size. Through observation and experimentation we no long recommend the use of snake guides on fly rods intended for use in saltwater. I would recommend you use Fuji models TISVGG SIZE 20, 12, 10, as strippers then model TIGG sizes 10,8,8,7,7,7, then a TILGT tip top. My next choice would be Fuji model TSVG size 20,12,10, then model TSG sizes 10,8,8,7,7,7 then TLST tip top. If you must use the Titan guides. Use titanium framed guides only with ceramic rings. I repeat NO SNAKE GUIDES!!!

Michael,

Care to elaborate on your observations that lead to this conclusion?

Armand

Yes I will. Saltwater fly fishing and and fresh water fly fishing are no where alike. So why build the rods the same? I have caught upwards of 4,000 to 5,000 Little Tunny on flies in my lifetime. When I was using snake guides I was having to change guides at least two times a season because the guides would groove even the Ti coated ones. After I switched over to ceramics that problem ended. I always had corrosion problems with snake guides also. Here is a problem with snake guides you have to see to believe if you get into an extended fight with a tuna or other fish where the fight is straight up and down the snake guides will strip the coating off of the fly line it's happened to me and it's happened to others but not since I changed over to ceramics.

Michael, I appreciate your input on the guide issue, and will take it to heart. But I'm not clear on your number of strippers. Are you recommending three strippers? Again, this is a rod for Bonefish, not tuna.

Yes, 3 stripper guides. A 20, 12, then a 10. Followed by single footed ceramic fly guides. Welcome to the world for saltwater fly fishing and the Twenty First Century.

Michael A Taylor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, 3 stripper guides. A 20, 12, then a 10.
> Followed by single footed ceramic fly guides.
> Welcome to the world for saltwater fly fishing and
> the Twenty First Century.


Hi Michael.
I'm preparing to build some 9 & 10 rods for saltwater flyfishing and needed some info on REC's v Fujis , luckily I found this site which is a mine of information!
Having read through lots of threads yours is exactly the info I was looking for,and although I have previously used REC's without any problems I will follow your advice and go for the TSG's ( I'm hoping to use the 10 wts for Albies later this year and have switched to power pro backing.....hence the search for something more durable).
A couple of questions for you if I may :
You recommend the TSG's ( I'd like to use your 1st choice of T1GG's but I think they aren't worth the cost of the divorce should my wife see the bill.....) rather than the TLS Concept.....would this be because the TLS lie lower on the rod?
Your strippers are size 20,12 and 10....why not a 16,12 & 10?
Lastly,do you think a size 7 TSG is large enough for a 10 wt......or would you suggest an 8?
Hope you don't mind me asking,I recognise someone who knows what they're talking about!
Many thanks
Jeff (a newby,to this forum, from the U.K.)