I am building my brother a 9' 5wt and am in need of some guidance. I am not a fly fisherman so I am at a loss for how to set up his rod. He is a beginner as well so taping up guides and casting probably wont work there is also the added problem that he lives 2 states away. Any advice on guide spacing and how to test for proper spacing would be greatly appreciated.

In my experience most of the blank or finished rod makers have spacing charts on their websites. They would have to work pretty good if this is what they use on their finished rods. I know Batson has some spacing charts. If you can find a chart for your specific blank make that would be even better. What brand blank is it?

See the link below. Go all the way to the bottom you will see a Guide Spacing link. Start there, tweek and move as you see fit with a static test and test casting.

[www.mudhole.com]

Or check the website of the manufacturer. I know Batson & St. Croix have recomendations.

Mike

You didn't say what blank you are using. That will have some influence on where the guides should be placed. If you can't find a chart for that particular blank, try to find a chart for one that has similar action. Batson has the most extensive library of charts i've ever seen. Go to their forum and you can find a chart for about any blank they make.

[www.rainshadowfishing.com]

One interesting excercise is to compare the charts for all the 9' 4 piece 5wts (or any wt rod) for each of their blanks RX6, RX7, RX8, RX7+ and RX8+. You will see that the faster action blanks have the guides grouped closer to the tip.

While you are there, sign up for their newletter. Lots of good info.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2010 03:52PM by Bob Riggins.

John,

9' 5 weight
10 guide
Guide locations from tip 4.0 8.5 13.6 19.5 26.2 33.8 42.5 52.3 63.6 76.4
9 guide
Guide locations from tip 3.8 8.4 13.9 20.3 28.0 37.2 48.0 61.0 76.4

Top three guides #2 Recoil titanium
The 10 guide is a more conservative build while the 9 will provide higher performance at lighter tippet weights 5x or lighter.

Eugene Moore