Hi Guys,

I am currently building an 8'6" 4weight (will probably handle a 5 as well) on a 36t/40t graphite blank with a medium fast (very responsive) action. I have placed the first guide, which is a single footer, 5 inches from the tip. I know that a lot of companies and builders like to place it 4 inches from the tip. Is the extra inch going to make a big difference to the strength of the tip or make it more prone to break? The rod is pretty sweet the way it is currently set up and I would rather not alter it if possible.

Thanks in advance,

Ben

That sounds like a long way but if the static test looks good, you are probably OK. On a light short rod, I'd place it more like 4.25 or even 4. With the greater distance you do increase the load on the terminal section fibers, no way around that.

I'm curious, how many guides total are you using on the rod?

Drew

4 1/2" with 10 guides on that particular blank is how I would build it

Ron Weber

It depends on the action angle of the rod. If it's a fast action blank (~68 degree AA), then I would suggest moving to guide up closer to the tip. If it's a moderate action blank (~58-62 degree AA) then 5 inches should be fine. More of the mid-butt section will begin to deflect sooner with a Moderate action blank than with a fast action blank of equivalent power. My faster action flyrods have a greater more pronounced concentration of guides in the tip section(s) than in the mid-butt sections.

4 wt I would go 3 1/2 - 4" If it is to far you will find out on a Nice Fish ???

Bill - willierods.com

Ben,
Generally I place my first gude approx 64 times the tip dia allowing the blank to dictate placement.
I'll go up to 80 times the tip dia but normally not less than 64 times.

Many thanks for the feedback guys.
I rejigged the guides and moved the first guide up to 4.25. The taper is unusual on this blank in that it is a little thicker than you would expect in the tip (4.5) but the rod is quite light. I have a spare tip in case anyway. I went to wrap it and after inspecting the first guide, found that my spool of gudebrod chestnut thread was fuzzy. It is a shame as it would have looked nice on this rod. Anyway I test cast the finished product yesterday. It doesn't like a five weight but absolutely loves the four. Casts beautifully to 45 feet and I can get it just past 60 with a double haul but still accurate at 25. I got lucky on this one as it was a slightly blemished import I picked up for $25. Worst part is I can't replicate the build.

Thanks again,

Ben

bill boettcher Wrote:
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> 4 wt I would go 3 1/2 - 4" If it is to far you
> will find out on a Nice Fish ???


Not sure if it really needs to be that close. When I catch a fish on my GLX 3wt, the first 12"-18" of the rod is pointed straight at the fish.

Trust, but verify - Ronald Reagan

Yes
But how many fisherman get excided and pull the rod up Maybe to high then oops

Bill - willierods.com