After reading all the posts about using ceramic guides on flyrods I'm going to get it a try. I will be using Fuji alconites, but I refuse to use a s/f ceramic for a tiptop. It seems that my only other option is a BFAT alconite tiptop. My concern is that this animal looks to be a little on the heavy side with a extra metal supports. If so will this alter the natural action of the blank? By the way I will be building on a 8' 6" 3wt.

Don; Check out the BMKL04R from Swampland if you can stand a 4 ring top, no braces.

"Lite" frame tip tops from Fuji, American Tackle, Batson or Pac Bay. There are also the fly ceramic tip tops (AmTak and Pac Bay) that are tube and ceramic in frame only, unbraced. You'd be sursprised how light the BFAT tip is, and you can also choose the tip in SiC (FST) or titanium frames with SiC (TFST). AmTak also offers the NHLT tip, although this isn't titanium as yet.

Action is built in and cannot be changed by components. Weight, however, does affect "speed" which is the reaction and recovery rate of the blank.

You are talking about a minimal difference. It will have some effect, but not enough to ruin or change anything greatly.

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

Thanks guys

Don Lukehart

You're going to like it. I just finished a 9' 5wt with the fuji tlsg's for my father in law. He commented on how smooth it is when casting. He loves it so far.

Don,

An old codger by the name of Thom Rivell, who taught me the basics some years ago was actually ahead of his time. He once wrapped a flyrod blank complettely with thread and finished. I don't remember the blank specs but ir started out as a fast, stiffer fly rod. When he was done the thing was like a noodle. Now mind you that the action of the blank was still the same since he did not change the blank at all. What changed was the constant load of wight on the blank. You would have had to exert more force just to move the rod and make it do what you want it to do.
He did this to illustrate to his customers who wanted longer waraps on their fly rods what too much thread and finish could do to the percieved action of the rod. Extreme? Yes. Effective demonstration? Very much so.

The moral is to keep your wraps small, your guides light and the force you exert on the blank when casting is used more efficiently. Your choice of tip top probably will not cause much, if any difference so go for what you like, but keep them light, your wraps tight and don't overfinish. you will be a happy camper .