I am working on a 13' seven weight (for a 450-500 grain head) spey rod and bought Fuji clag7 for the running guides, wanting to use Alconites for low cost (versus titanium sic) and small enough to keep the weight down.

Question is does anyone use ceramic guides on spey rods what size do you think is appropriate?

Greg

Greg
Aptos, CA

I used Alconites on my 12 1/2' 8 wt and they work great. I can't remember if but I think I used 7's since I thought 6's were too small for the shooting head and/or knots.

Sorry - but I can't see using ceramics as runners on a spey rod. Especially stainless i/o Ti.

The weight is going to make the rod slower than desirable. And don't forget the size 7(mm) is measured to the outside of the ceramic ring. That makes it smaller than, I think, a REC s/f recoil #3.
Herb

Sorry - but I can't see using ceramics as runners on a spey rod. Especially stainless i/o Ti.

The weight is going to make the rod slower than desirable. And don't forget the size 7(mm) is measured to the outside of the ceramic ring. That makes it smaller than, I think, a REC s/f recoil #3.
Herb

I don't see how that would slow it down much. Yes they are smaller inside diameter than a size three single foot wire guide. About the same as a size two.

Greg

Greg,
I concur with Herb.
The effects of guide train mass are cumulative and build exponentially with distance from the grip.
Use of heavier guides in the lower third won't be noticed but keep the upper third light as possible.

Eugene Moore

The weight of 8 clag7 guides is 1.8 grams, 1/2 grams more than the weight of 8 sf3 wire guides at 1.3 grams, the weight of the spey head is 33 grams. I am more concerned about whether the loops and knots pass through the clag7's easily enough.

You are building a fly rod. !

Strippers can be alcanite, no problems. You might have 3 on this build.

No effect to the lower section of the rod.

The rest of your rod is built with snake guides. Nothing changes.

I don't see the problem of your question.

Paul.

I fish therefore I am.
www.hookeduprods.com

Greg,
I love the "looks" and concept of the Fuji Ti SiC s/f guides as runners - and tried them on a lot of rods - befrore I sold them all. So I tried them on a 10'6" #12 switch rod I was building - tip-top and all. It slowed the rod down immensely. So I went back to the REC s/f recoils and the recoil tip-top. Made a world of difference. Now mine was a 10'6", #12 - yours is a 13', #7. Believe me - it will slow it down.
If you want proof, just tie on the ceramics, if you already have them, and I will lend you some #4 s/f recoils and a recoil tip-top. And, just wiggle the rod.
Herb

Greg,
I love the "looks" and concept of the Fuji Ti SiC s/f guides as runners - and tried them on a lot of rods - befrore I sold them all. So I tried them on a 10'6" #12 switch rod I was building - tip-top and all. It slowed the rod down immensely. So I went back to the REC s/f recoils and the recoil tip-top. Made a world of difference. Now mine was a 10'6", #12 - yours is a 13', #7. Believe me - it will slow it down.
If you want proof, just tie on the ceramics, if you already have them, and I will lend you some #4 s/f recoils and a recoil tip-top. And, just wiggle the rod.
Herb

I am not a huge fan of ceramic on a a spey rod for a number of reasons. Wieght in the upper half is a big one but also there is a lot of room for ring failure. I have moved away from ceramic on my spey and switch rods all together as of late. One popped guide can ruin your trip. Just my .02 but I go 16,12,10 for strippers on a longer rod then 6,5 and 4s up with snakes the rest of the way.

Eric

if you are going snakes why not go single foot wire. Less thread less weight. Even recoils ??

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks for all the suggestions. There were a wide range of opinions, and a couple people that have actually tried ceramics. I'm trying to be open minded. I really wanted to use ceramics but I am starting to be swayed since I really don't have time to experiment I think I have to go with the snakes.

I like the use of ceramic "style" guides because of the benefit of the shape of their guide feet. When using guides with the old "coke bottle" profile guide feet, Forhan locking wraps come into use by reducing (an almost eliminating) the likelihood of guide pullout. Forhan locking wraps used with single foot snakes is a virtual waste of time, since their "straight legged" wire design pulls out much more easily than the ceramic "styles" do. I've pulled out single foot snakes when using a Forhan Locking wrap (and even one side of a double foot snake - conventionally wrapped). If weight is of concern, consider using Minima guides, since they offer the ceramic "style" swelled guide foot that is beneficial for locking wraps - without any actual ceramic ring. They are almost as light as the REC's and considerably lighter than even titanium framed ceramics.

I do use recoils sometimes. I like the double foot guides as there is a TON of twist in spey casting and I feel the double foot guides hold up much better.

Eric, looking through your photos I saw the quick clamp grip clamp. Great idea! I had to get creative with tools on this build since I haven't done a 13.5" grip before. I wish I had seen that clamp idea sooner.

Greg

A long threaded rod will work also.

Bill - willierods.com