I am building a 8'-6" 5 weight Rainshadow RX-7. Looking at the guide sizes and spacing chart from Batson it seems that the guides called for are sort of large, 12mm stripper down to (4) size 3 snakes. Does anyone have experience with this blank and guide combination? I will be using REC Recoil or H&H Titanium snakes, if that matters. The reason I am questioning this I was lead to believe that smaller guides closer to the blank lead to a better casting rod (less slop between line/guide/blank) or am I mistaken?

Thanks

Frank

You wouldn't notice that much difference. It's the weight that comes into play. The less weight you have hanging in the rod, the quicker it will react and recover.

If your leader knot will pass them, I'd consider a size 12 stripping guide followed by an 8 and then as many size 2 snakes as it takes to get to the tip.

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Tom,

Thanks for the info, that just seems more logical than extra metal, thread, and finish.

Then again if you use snake guides you are putting on twice the thread and finish. What about single foot .

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,

I appreciate that suggestion, however, I am more traditional in terms of aesthetics and prefer the looks of conventional snake guides on a fly rod. I was looking for alternatives to the Batson recipe for guide sizing, the just seemed too big with all the a 5, 4's and 3's, I am no one to judge the engineering behind that formula, it just looked odd. I can save some wight by using the Recoil guides, but I would prefer to reduce the sizes and go with the H&H Titanium.

Frank

I have built 4 rx7 flyrods now. Batson likes to oversize the guides on their charts. it's not wrong, just their preferance. Winston rods use guides two sizes smaller than Batsons on most of their flyrods. I also go at least one size down than Batson says and on a 8 1/2 five wt i would use one stripper. I just like the low profile look and feel. Casting is not a problem. Toms advise on having the most of the snake guides one size out to the tip works well.

Tom,

Thanks for that info, actually, I was looking at my Winston when the question came to mind.

Yea I have a 8'4 4wt Winston WT. It casts just fine with the smaller guides. I build my flyrods based on the Winston look/feel. I don't get it out much anymore because I really like fishing my builds much more. Just something about it ya know?