Is there any disadvantage to using light wire snake guides instead of regular wire snake guides for most fly rod building applications? I would think durability might be an issue, but in 25 years of fly fishing, I've only ever had one snake guide fail. also, I'm not interested in single foots or ceramics for this one, but would really appreciate experienced thoughts on light vs regular snakes. The rod will be a 13' 7 wt double hander. Thanks in advance for the input.

They'll be more prone to damage from falls, bumps, bangs, etc., but that's about it. If you give the rod reasonable care there's no real reason not to use them.

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I've found no failure using titanium light wire guides.
They are however tougher on the fly line under strain while playing a fish.
I still manage over a year on a line and use cheap lines. The better lines may last longer especially those with harder coatings.

more expensive?


eric
fresno, ca.

Call Johnny at Anglers Roost, they are not more expensive.
To answer the question, my experience is the same as Eugene's. If you are fishing a long fluorocarbon leader though and you get a fish up to you, you want to keep the leader out of the guides because I guess the heat they can generate is more than that of the standard ones and it can break off. I haven't had that problem with mono.