Hello again,
Not long ago I recounted a tale of woe regarding a broken rod that I may have wrapped too tight versus High sticking by the user. I have come to believe it was probably a combination of the two that caused the failure. At any rate , the parts are here to make the new tip.

I have decided to use heavy wire recoils instead of standard snake guides. I think the recoils flexibility may create less of a fulcrum and protect the blank a little more. I notice the feet are quite a bit longer on the recoils meaning longer wraps(more weight). I am tempted to grind them back but wonder if the longer length is needed to keep from pulling the flexible guide out of the wrap?

Do you guys think the flexible guides provide any advantage in saving a rod that just might be a victim of "high sticking"?

Thanks ... Kip

The type of guides used on the tip section of a fly rod does not have any effect on damage caused by highsticking. The damage is caused by the person fighting the fish on the tip instead of the butt section of the rod. The tip section is made for casting not to "horse" the fish with. Just by using the butt of the rod you can land some very large fish on what is considered ultra light tackle.

I have recoils on all my new flyrods and I think they are 1000% better than snake guides. I am pretty hard on equipment and they take all I dish out. I would not cut the feet back very far. I think they need a good base to be able to flex without doing some odd angles and stuff. If you did cut them back a little, I doubt if it would make much difference in being able to pull one out. They stick pretty well to the blank. I used them on a 2 wt, 3wt, and four 4wts. and no complaints at all. Everyone loved them. I also did not cut down the feet.

Thank you gentlemen for your replies.
I did use Recoil Snakes on the tip section replacement. Left the feet alone as far as length. I I just can't help thinking that a more flexible guide will put less stress on the blank at full flex. My intent was to use them on lighter fly rods, but I really don't like making longer wraps on light rods. Basically just trying them on for size. Thanks again..Kip

I use them on my saltwater rods and like them very much. The only concern I have is that they might cause some brands of fly lines to peel off the coating. This has happened to me with my Airflo Depth Charge line. I think it's more a fault of the line than the guides. Bill