I'm building a 9' 5 wt. fly rod. What do you think of my proposed guide selection?

My idea:
12, 5, 4, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 plus a tip top.

I appreciate all of your thoughts.

Why are you using so many different guide sizes?

Why not do this: 12 - 8 (stripping and transition guide) and then all #2's out to the tip. This will create a line path that is actually straighter and at less weight than what you have listed above.

This might be helpful to you:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

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Thanks, Tom. Good article and point well taken. Would I need 9 guides plus a tip top?

Is the standard rule of thumb 1 guide per foot of blank and a tip top?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2012 11:07PM by Bruce Tomaselli.

My guess is you'll need either 9 or 10 guides plus a tiptop. I'd try to do it with 9 and check it with a static distribution test. If you can't get it right with 9, add one more and try again. I doubt it would take any more than 10 at the most.

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