I'm going to use a "tamer" guide on a 9' 8 wt rod and have received conflicting advice on placement. I have been told that the tamer should be placed 4" in front of the stripper and is an "extra" guide and have also been told the tamer should be in place of the 2nd guide and spaced as such.
Sure could use some clarification.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike,
It has to be an extra guide to be effective and close enough to the stripper to prevent the line from meeting the rod on the out cast. Four inches is about right but you can also cast without one and see where the line first contacts the rod ahead of the stripper then place it to prevent that from occurring.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

If the tamer was used in place of the 2nd guide then it would no longer be a tamer - it would simply be the standard 2nd guide.

Set up and wrap your guides as normal. spend some time casting it. Then, add in an additional guide, a size or 2 smaller than the butt guide, about 4 inches beyond the stripper. Spend some time casting it. If it seems to help, wrap it down. If not, remove the tape and forget about it.

When using stiffer lines, the tamer won't have as much effect as it does when using lighter and limper lines.

...............

Thanks! That's what I thought but this is uncharted waters for me!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike,

I use these all the time on fly rods, especially the heavier weights, and just do what Tom said. Four inches is usually just right. It is definitely an extra guide that you add after all other guides are selected and set.

Joe

Joe Douglas