I have read in numerous posts that a rule of thumb for the sizing of the stripper guide in spinning rods is 1/2 the spool diameter. I have generally followed this with good results. I am curious where that rule of thumb originated and how it relates to the distance form the spool face. Understanding of course that test casting is still required and that many variations are possible. some time ago, I built a 13 foot spey rod into a heavy float rod and from conversations with the folks at Hopkins & Holloway, I placed the stripper (high frame size 10) at a distance of 32 inches from the reel stem. The rod casts great, good distance on a float with 1/4 oz. and if I load the rod to its max casting weight (5/8) it casts into the next zip code. This doesn't mean of course that this is the only way to achieve this, but I would like to know where the rule of thumb came from.

Thanks.

Simply put -
The longer the rod, the longer the distance to the first guide.

I originated it. It was a result of studying the best trial and error spinning set ups used with mono and relatively high frame type guides.

It is not ironclad and with very light or very heavy lines you may find that a size a little smaller or a little larger may be best. It is, however, a good place to start, which is what I was attempting to provide beginning rod builders when I arrived at the figure and first wrote about it.

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