While reading another rod building forum the other day, I found this post by Justin Keithly:

"micros are by far the EASIEST guides to wrap!

instead of fussing with tape, glue, zip ties, whatever - simply start with 6-8 thread wraps then place the tip of the guide foot under the last loop of thread (like you would wrap in a trim band or pull-through loop). The guide foot should be on top of about 2-4 wraps and underneath one wrap. The guides are so light/small the single wrap will hold it in place. Wrap about 6 or 7 more times toward the ring (the tip of the foot will still be sticking out), then gently pull the guide toward the rod tip. the foot will slip past the wraps it was on top off and you will never know you didn't ramp up the guide like you normally do. Continue wraping and finish with a locking wrap as usual and you're done."

I of course just had to try this and was astounded at how easy it was. It will be my procedure from now on.

Thanks for sharing justin.

That was how I did after one fell out when I hit it with my fat finger!

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Thanks for the great tip. These things have been driving me crazy. I mught even try this on the larger guides.
Pat

That's how I've always done the smallest fly rod guides. It should be even easier to do with these even smaller guides.

Someone asked me just this past week how to file/grind the foot edge of these tiny guides. I told them that that they were so fine already, that additional work on the foot edge really isn't necessary.

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I never found any necessity to prep the feet on Fuji 3.5's previously. Now with this method it becomes even less important. In my opinion.

I couldn't imagine that guys were trying to file or grind them. But at least one, was.

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Thanks Bobby and Justin, I will have to use that method. Good Idea.

Prepping is easily done with care - dremel sanding disk and jewelers pliars to hole in good light and white background

The prep necessity has to do with the amount of thread tension when using the tie band method of upramp. Too much tension and the upramp will "squirt" the foot forward and knock it loose when the band is cut.

Silk wraps are coming and prep is required

I just tried the no tie band noted above and prep is not a requirement for that method.

Thanks for posting this up Bobby. Hope it helps with some of the frustrations people are having with these guides. I just fished my first micro-spiralled rod yesterday (opening day of our MI bass season) and its easily my favorite rod in the arsenal. The rod still needs decals and another coat of finish, but hey - its time to fish now, so i had to try it out!

As for guide-prep, I've successfully wrapped single foot guides up to a size 6 with this method and no grinding on the foot. I really like not having to grind the feet, especially when using black frame guides.

Regards,
-Justin

Good to hear this is acceptable. I have done this on some thin wire fly guides when they came loose and thought I was cheating. Yes, this will be how micros are done from now on.

Eddie

I have good luck using guide foot glue on these small guides but this method gives me an alternative. Thanks for sharing.

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

I have used a thread bobbin to tie in place about mid guide...then pull tag through like a mini wrap. The thread band allows me to adjust the guide for straightness...and I cut it with a razor after I have wrapped half-way up the guide.

I'll have to try this other method, too.

Les

Eddie,

None of it is cheating - if you find a method that allows you to get the guide in place and hold it there while you wrap it, and still allows you to make minute adjustments during or after its wrapped, it's fair play. If it works and you can find no downside, use it.

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Anybody want to buy some little ty-raps?

It works great on hook keepers too!

Thanks very much for the tip and information. This site is great.

Another tip for micros, buy a few extra-some will just disappear. In my experience, I find about 50% of those I drop. I don't wind on a white carpet.

An old speaker magnet works well for picking them up - if they're magnetic.

My wife's Chihuahua can find them a lot better than I can but if I let the lost guide go for over an hour or so she has trouble finding them. I guess they lose my scent or something.

I am going to give this a try. It sounds like a clever idea but don't the wraps that you pull the guide out from under end up being loose?