I am going to place an order tomorrow for a 9' 5wt. PacBay quick line blank. I have never seen one of these, but have heard they were very good. I would really like to hear from anyone that has built one of these. I am going to use wire single foot guides except for the stripper and maybe the next guide up. These will be a ceramic guide of some sort. I am looking for guide size and placement suggestions for this rod.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

They're very nice blanks. I have one but have not built it yet. For me, it'd be Minima guides all the way. Probably 12, 8 and then 5's on out.

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Tom:

Sorry for being so dumb, but I have never seen the Minima guides. I did a quick search on Google. These appear to be a single foot guide. Would you use a single foot stripper as well, or go to a double foot? Can't figure out the difference between the Minima 3 and Minima 4. I have built lots of fly rods, but this is all new ground for me.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

I've built an 8wt Quickline. It's a nice blank that is better than it's price would indicate. The gloss black finish is really nice.

I would reconsider the ceramic guides. Keep the rod light. Consider REC single foot running guides, to minimize weight and because they are excellent, nice guides, and perfect on a 5wt fly rod.

Tom
It seem you like that Minima 4 as running guide.
I use it for my Spinning and Casting rods and really like them.
What are for you pro and con versus single foot wire guide (say PB SF guide or REC) ?

I think they weight more than SF Wire guide so you soul have a good reason.
I'm going to use Minima 4 as stripper (lighter than ceramic) to see of they worl for me.
But I'm not yet ready to try them as running, so I like to ear from who use them.
I tried in the past ceramic single foot, way to heavy for me.

Tanks.

Any weight difference between those guides is negligible. The Minima 4's have rings that are flanged on both sides. I typically use double foot stripping guide, another double foot for the transition guide, and then all single foot runners. You could use single foots all the way out if you wanted, the line doesn't care.

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I placed my order today. 9’ 5wt Quick Line blank, and minima 4 guides. I didn’t like the looks of the Pac Bay Model MTV Minima tip top, so went with the Model P. I really liked the looks of their Model MT, but they don’t make it in the Minima 4. The question that I have is why do these companies make guides down to size 4 or smaller, but don’t seem to make a matching tip top, or did I miss something? I am really excited about starting this build. I can see it in my mind, and I haven’t been able to do that for the last couple of builds. Very simple Black a silver from butt to tip top.

I want to thank the people at Anglers Workshop for putting up with me. They are working on their new web page, and I lost my paper copy of their catalog. They were very patient while working through getting this order placed. Great custom service.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho