Hi,

I have done a thorough search on guide sizes, and every post has different guide sizes / opinions on the same rods.

I will be following the notion of using one size guide (not including stripers / tamers) all the way through to the tip.

For instance, I have seen recommendations on a #4 from size 1 SF, all the way through to the tip from the stripers, and a selection of 2,3,4,5 SF sizes all the way to the tip from the stripers.

I would just like to know what the smallest size SF wire guides I can use on a flyrod in 4 and 8 wieghts, after the two stripper/taming guides.

The largest / thickest fly line will be a 5wt WF Floater on the #4, and a 9 wt WF Floater on the #8. I mainly use a nail knot on the 4 and 8, and sometimes a loop to loop on the 8 as well.



Thanks,

Richard

Good starting place is to go to say St Croixs site and check there sizes

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Bill,

I'm not looking for a guide spacing / sizing chart, as I already have most of that figured.

I am just after the smallest size guide that I can use on these flyrods.

Thanks again,

Richard

#4 - REC s/f 3 (Heavy wire) down to 1 (thin wire or heavy wire)
#8 - REC s/f (heavy wire) 4 or 5 down to 3
Make sure you use the REC Recoil tip-top. The lightest tip-top going and will inprove performance.
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2010 07:53AM by Herb Ladenheim.

Check any knots line to leader to make sure they pass thought well
Not every ones knots are the same.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2010 09:03AM by bill boettcher.

I'd try a 2 on the 4-weight and perhaps a 3 on the 8-weight. Either should easily pass those lines and a nail knot should pass easily during a mornings rigging. I assume you won't be winding the nail knot back onto the reel until the end of the trip. Generally, my nail knot (line to leader connection) never comes back inside the tiptop until I'm done for the day.

...........

I think Tom is right on the money.

I've run size #2 SF guides for rods from 4 weight thru 8 weight. However I prefer to run double foot snakes on rods 7 weight or over. The nature of the opening prevents problems with knots or loop connectors.

Eugene Moore

Richard,
Do yourself a favor. Do some testing.
Just tape on some fairly large guide for the buld of the rod, and then start putting smaller and smaller guides on the last one or two guides.
See if you come to a point that for YOUR line, and for YOUR knots, you get to a point that stops or slows your casts. If you go as small as you can and find no difference, stay there with those guides and start working back up the rod.

You can always take others recommendations, but every person uses different line, uses different knots, and has different techniques.

Most of the general recommendations are on the generous side to accomodate the bulk of all users. However, you may find that you need to stay larger, or that you can go much smaller for your particular techniques.

You should be able to do some testing in the back yard - even in the middle of winter and get a very good idea what works for your particular case.

All of the recommendations previously listed will work well .. It is up to you to decide if those recommendations are best for you, or if you should try something different.

Good luck
Roger

Hi Guys,

As I am in Australia and buying online from the USA, I can't really try the guides to see what works.

I'll just order a few different sizes and see how I go.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Richard