Finally finished my first rod. I tweaked the guides to better follow the curvature than what is shown in static. It casts well. Now to find some fish to test it on.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Nice job Jeff. I especially like the handle assembly/reel seat..... go find some fish

It's on now all it takes is one and your hooked. Looks good and I'm sure it will perform great.

I have never played with spiral wrapping; is the first guide turned around backwards?

Yes. I read somewhere that this is done on concept guides. Not sure exactly where, I did a ton of reading. I figured it couldn't hurt and with the line moving back and forth with the level wind I didn't want to chance the line rubbing the ramp on the guide.

If the guide is positioned properly, the line shouldn't touch the frame either way.

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

Adam;
The answer to your question is No
Neither the first nor any of the guides need to be turned around backwards

Nice work Jeff, the tiger wrap is awsume and I the cools you have some talent keep it going man it can only get better not that you need to get better.

Looks good for a first one. I think the one thing on turning the guides backwards was more on spinning guides for the first guide form the reel. I have seen this on a few rods, but I have never seen any difference in the orientation of the guides.

Thank you all for your responses. As far as Adams ? I believe he was asking if my guide was turned around, not if it should be turned around. Yes mine is . Should it be? I don't know it's my first build. It seems to work. Tom I agree if placed PROPERLY the line should not touch but being my first build I figured I'd try it.

Nice job Jeff. Nothing beats catching a fish on a rod you built, except for maybe watching someone else catch a fish on a rod you built.