I am building an XST1084F spiral wrap rod for summer steelhead dift fishing. Instead of ALPS SS316 guides I would like to try Fuji guides this time. Keeping in mind that there will be no knots passing through the guides and icing is not a concern what would be the best line of Fuji guides for such build? I want it to be as lightweight as possible of course, so single foot micro (nano?) guides for the runners/bumper and a double footer for the stripper is what I am planning to do.

Roman,
Don't get too concerned about putting very small guides on a rod on the idea that very small guides are going to make it a better rod.

As Mr. Kirkman has said many times before - use the right guide for the right rod, for the right application.

Remember, depending on where you fish, stuff may end up on the line. If the guide size interferes with the line moving through the guide, it is likely that the guide is the incorrect size for the application.

Just one example of a reason to use the right guide for the right application.

If you want light weight - why not use PAC bay minima guides? Very light and long wearing and quite inexpensive.

If in doubt, tape on the guides that you are thinking about using and do some test casting and retreiving. Too many folks get all hung up on casting, when retreiving the line cleanly is a big part of the rod equation.
If you don't like a set of guides, then tape on a different set, and continue until you find the guide set that works for you to meet your needs and expectations.


Good luck
Roger

Thanks Roger! That is exactly the sort of insight I am looking for. I am familiar with the ALPS guides but never used any others. Fuji sounds like something that I need to be familiar with, but I don't really see something similar to ALPS minis in the Fuji lineup. It's either too bulky, or too tall, or too shiny, or too expensive :) I will definitely look at the minimas.

The feeling I got from reading the posts on this forum is that the runner guides need to be as small and light as possible, but not smaller. I do own a couple of rods with size 4 tiptop/runner guides, so maybe going as small as size 3 will work just as well if not better, I can try to tape size 3 minis and do some casting/retrieving as you suggest.

I have a HS1023F. I used fuji alconites. The runners are blag's...I think #4's, maybe 6's. It was built for a spinning reel. 4's are about as small as my eyes/hands can handle at this point.

IMHO the smaller guides do make it a better rod.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

More, smaller guides in the top two thirds reduce weight. Less weight adds sensitivity, recovery (speed) and power.