While my main focus on rod building is bass rods I've decided to build an 8wt switch fly rod for some winter steelheading. I have looked at several switch rods at local tackle shops and noted that they all use snake guides. My preference would be for single foot guides to reduce weight. Is there an actual advantage to snakes over single foots or is it more of a traditional thing?

Brian

Bob Meiser employs a carbide boat guide for the stripping guide on all his switch and spey rods.
He says he does it to prevent potential problems with ring failure.
I would think Minima guides would be a good alternative for the running guides.
I look forward to see what others think as I too plan to build a switch rod for surf fishing.

If you are going to use a loop to loop tip system with a sink tip, the connection will go through a snake guide better when loaded because of the shape of the guide. The connection gets hung up on single foot guides sometimes. A snake guide and a single foot use about the same length of wire, just bent differently, so the weight difference is in the wrap. That said, i like to use single foots on fly rods for floating lines.

Greg

Greg,
I've built them both ways. My winter steelhead fishing is on the east coast so frozen guides is an issue. I went with single footers (with ceramic rings) on my first build but had two guides pop rings. My latest build uses two Titan stripping guides and REC double footers for the rest. The REC Recoil guides are VERY light and I like the flexibility in the winter. I use the single foot rod in the fall and the newer, double foot build in the winter. The double foot build also passes loop to loops connections through smoother. This is more useful if you are using a skagit head with a separate running line.

Quinn

Brian,
As Greg pointed out snakes are better at allowing line and connection flow due to the increased opening size and the angular opening.
They're also more durable and less likely to hang-up on other objects.
I believe them to be less abrasive to the fly line.
The weak side is that other wrap and finish weight.


Eugene Moore

Snakes all the way. More durable when busting off ice and loop to loop shooting through. With an 8wt switch weight is not a huige deal at least not the difference there. I have built many many of them and have never had an issue. The one I did with singles came back all bent up (I have sold many rods to the same guy without issue) but busting ice and formed ice with loop to loop shooting is @#$%& on a guide.

Eric

Thanks for the info guys. Snakes it will be

Brian

This is Food For thought for me I don't like two footed snake guides - But - this does make sense The little extra weight with thread and finish sounds like it is worth it

Think i have seen the light

Bill - willierods.com

I used a SiC 16 & 12 strippers, than #6,5, 4 snakes with X Lrg loop tip top on that weight rod with multi tip lines.