Hi,

I am trying to find the guide spacing and guide sizes for a 4 wt, 9ft fast 4 piece flyrod.

Is guide spacing and guide size subjective to one's opinion, on where they should put the guides and what size, or is there a tried and proven formula?

Also with regard to Snakes Vs Single, which from what I have read recently, seems very personal in choice.

Would I be better off using single foot on the #4, so as not to hinder the action of the blank?

Weight considerations alone don't bother me, and it will be used purely for saltwater fishing.


P.S. I have searched for days on the forum for the guide spacings, but couldn't find them, so if I have missed them somewhere, sorry for a repeat post?

Thanks,

Richard

9 guides distance from tip

3.9 8.4 13.9 20.3 28.0 37.2 48.1 61.0 76.4

My preference for a 4 weight is single foots. Titanium #2 for top 3 guides, Followed by #3 next 3 guides, followed by a #4 guide, #10 double foot alox, #12 double foot alox.

What are you chasing in SW with a 4 weight ??
Pretty light with all the other big nasties that may pop up.

Good fishing
Gene

Hi Gene,

Are these measurements in inches? (I'm from Australia - using mm and cm measurements - will have to convert).

Also is the measurement from ring to ring or from guide foot to guide foot?

The fish I will be targeting are what we call sand whiting and mullet (google search will show you what they look like).

They rarely grow over 1 pound if your lucky - average about 1/4 pound, and a #4 weight can be overkill at times. They would be better suited to a #2 or #3 but the wind is a major factor.

They are mainly found in our estuaries and rivers.

Thanks for the info.

Richard

Hello Richard,

The reason you don't find many guide spacing listings is that many of us on the board use the Static Guide Placement method, detailed in this article from the Library:

[www.rodbuilding.org]
(note that, again, all measurements in the above article are in inches)

Walt

You will save weight and get a much straighter and smoother line path with just 3 guide sizes. One for the stripping guide, a smaller one for the intermediate and then all the same size for the running guides. This makes a real difference.


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

Hi Walt,

Thanks, I did see that article briefly, but I was probably looking for a diagram with layouts - that's probably why I didn't read it properly.


Hi Tom,

What size/style guides would you recommend for this rod?


Thanks,

Richard

Richard,
The spacing is in inches as are most of my spreadsheets.
Dimensions are ring to ring.
Whiting and mullet I am familar with but never tried them on a fly rod. They should be quite entertaining with a lot of fast action.
I did catch shad quite often and they were great fun on light tackle.

Good fishing
Gene

When in dough I go to St Croix's site and check out there spacing charts. Just a starting point. Then static test.

Bill - willierods.com

Looks like I will be doing the static test.

Thanks again,

Richard

Two things I do on fly rods. First the top on one that light I place the first guide from top at no more then 4". Then the butt or stripper guide , Hold the rod as if casting, grab the rod as if to grab line, about an inch or two father up I will place the but or stripper guide. tape the butt guide on and see how it feels.

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks Bill.