I'm planning for an 8'6" 5wt fly rod and thinking guide sizes 12, 10, 8, 6 running. Can I get away with anything smaller for ringed running guides? Leaning towards titanium frame guides. I'm not opposed to RECs either I've used them on long float rods.

why do you want smaller?? The prime consideration in making a fly rod is how well the line will flow through the guides. Smaller will not necessarily be better.

Because of their geometry two foot snake guides will accommodate larger diameter fly lines than ring guides of "equal" size. The best guide choice depends upon whether fashion or function is the first priority of the builder.

take a look at Minima ( 4s ) guides A lot of builders are using them on fly rods

Bill - willierods.com

For a 5 Wt rod, it doesn't buy you much to use ceramic insert guides as the running guides. There is a weight penalty and it will be noticeable on a 5 Wt. Just my opinion of course. I use them on occasion for 7 Wt and up but mostly I find the double foot snake guides are about the best component for fly rod running guides. You can use minima #4's but I personally don't care for them as they bend to easily for me and the line tends to hang up more with SF guides.

With DF snakes, you can go down to a size 2 on a 5 Wt easily.

Terry

Talk to Tom K about them he uses them

Why is it that when builders don't like a guide -- They bend easily _

I herd that about Titan guides also

Bill - willierods.com

Save the time and trouble and put on snake guides.

In a nut shell - they simply work very well and it is tough to have anything lighter.

Here's some additional information that might help.

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I agree on the df snake guides, but I go even smaller on my 9' 5wt: #8 Fuji TLNSG stripping guide, then one #2 Snake Brand "Universal" snake, then all # 1/0's out to the tip.
These easily pass both my nail knots as well as the Eagle Claw Leader Links (though if you're using loop connections you might want to go a little larger). No trouble shooting line and making longer casts when needed. No constriction whatsoever. Frankly, I don't see any reason to go larger than the size of the tip-top loop.

I'm a bit late with this, but here is how I do an 8'6" 5wt.

I use ceramic strippers and double foot snake guides.

I would use 9 guides plus a stripper and tip top. On an 8'6" there is no need for more than 1 stripper. I would use a #10 stripper, followed bu a #4 snake, then a #3 snake, then a # 2 snake followed by 6 #1 snakes. The newest concept in fly rods is to get down to a #1 guide as quickly as possible. There is no reason to stay larger on a rod of this size and weight. After all, the only line you " shoot" through the guides is the fly line itself, no knots involved so # 1s are very adequate. Plus they look better and save a bit of weight.

Hope this helps.

John A.

"Here's some additional information that might help. ............. "


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