Ok,

So I have stepped out of my normal panfish or bass rods and have picked up a couple of fly blanks for myself and my Mom. I have a Batson RX8XF865-4 and a St. Croix 42F905.2. I am looking for guide suggestions and possible spacing. I do realize that I will have to do a static test but am looking for a starting place. The blanks will be utilized for panfish and possibly trout. I've searched and seen suggestion for the stripper to use one of the following three sizes (16,12 and even 10) then followed by 3's or even 2's. I would like to utilize single foot for the runners and am open to ALL suggestions. I would like to make it the most efficient build that I can.

Thanks
Tom

For the Batson blank look here: [www.rainshadowfishing.com]

For the St Croix look here: [www.stcroixrods.com]

That should get you started

I would go with a 12 and a 10 stripper then 4 4's and 4 3's in the single foot

Greg



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/2012 11:27AM by Greg LaPolla.

Once you have chosen your stripping guide(s) choose a size of running guide that will allow the fly line and the knots between fly line and leader as between fly line and backing. There is no reason to choose more than one size running guide. The choice of type of running guide is up to you. If you like single foot guides uses them If you like the traditional snake guides, then use them. If you use the static distribution test you will easily see how the guides should be spaced--this is not rocket science. Good luck.

Mike Blomme

Greg's outline is fine, but skip the #4's and go directly to seven or eight #3's if you know those are larger enough to pass your line and leader knot. It'll save a bit of weight and give you a straighter line path.

.............

The standard loop fly tops can add a lot of weight in a bad place on a light rod. I like either the REC tops with the aluminum tube, or the titanium tops from Fuji.

I would go with a 12,10, 4, and 2's the rest of the way out. Single foot 2's should pass the knot just fine,

Ron Weber

I'm with Ron's suggestion. A regular fly rod tip top is same size as a size 2 single foot guide.

I greatly appreciate the advice guys! It got me wondering though, since I am not going to be passing a knot through the guides ( the leaders are normally fairly short for the type of work that we do) would I be able to get away with a 2.0 mm micro for the runners? would the micro's offer any advantage?

well, I just tried to get the fly line through some of the 2.0 mm's. NOPE, doesn't fit but it will easily fit into a 2.5 mm. Do you feel I would be loosing anything by using these guides over a single foot snake? would the weigh more than the snake? I would tape a set of each up and do a bit of test casting but I don't have any of the snakes to test with.

Thanks,
Tom

Tom,
We see a lot of ideas on using smaller guides.
Most of them are good.
One thing to consider is not only knots to pass, but does anything ever get picked up from the water on the line while fishing?
This is especially true with thicker fly lines.
It is not only a question of what works test casting, but what works well under actual fishing conditions in your area.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

Ron,

Good point, I have noticed on bass builds if there is heavy duck weed or scum on the water it will get into the guides and can foul them up along with cotton wood fuzz as well. As I am not familiar with snake guide sizing do you feel the single foot snake 3's would be optimal in these conditions or can I go smaller? (I appreciate the help, my Mom was blown away with your shop while she was living down there. She stopped for a visit and was very impressed)

Tom

If a 2 isn't passing your line and/or connections cleanly, try a 3. You want to go as small as you can, but not too small.

................

I hope that I don't sound ignorant here as that is not the intention but are snake guides sized the same as ceramics?

No. A #3 snake will have a lot larger opening than most #3 ceramics will.

..............

Thanks Tom! I will just order the 3's and build em!

Thomas, excuse me but I assumed you were planning on using single foot wire fly guides. A size 2 single foot wire fly guide is about the same i.d. as a #7 or #8 ceramic guide.

Greg,
Thank you!! Can you give a comparison of the snake sizes to ceramic sizes in 1/0 and 2/0?

Here is a table for a specific snake guide BSNG from the Mudhole website.

1/0 - Horizontal I.D. - 4.8
2/0 - Horizontal I.D. - 4.5
1 - Horizontal I.D. - 5.1
2 - Horizontal I.D. - 5.7
3 - Horizontal I.D. - 6.3
4 - Horizontal I.D. - 7.0
5 - Horizontal I.D. - 7.7
6 - Horizontal I.D. - 8.5

Most manufactures have drawings with the sizes.

HTH

Doug



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2012 11:40AM by Doug Lockwood.

greatly appreciate all of the help guys. I have placed the order and the stuff should be here shortly! Am looking to putting them together and getting them on the water.