Hi All.
See on some sites the "standard" 12 and 10 size combination of stripping guides are replaced by sizes 16 and 12 respectively.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of going with a 16 and 12 combination over the 12 and 10 combination?
This is for a 9' 5wt 4 piece fly rod build.

From this would move to sizes 3's, 2,s and 1,s snake eyes for the rest of the rod.

Thanks

Dave,
The best thing to do is to do a wrap with the first combination, do a bunch of test casts and retrieves and then remove the first set of guides and replace with the 2nd set of guides. Then, repeat the test casts and retreives.

If you find a favorable difference, go with the new setup. If not, stay with the former setup.

I suspect that some folks like the larger guides for the type line that they are using, or the type casting that they are doing.

But, test for your self, to see if there is any advantage - or disadvantage with either setup.

12 & 10 are plenty large enough for a 5wt. Larger will only get banged up easier as the stick out from the rod further.

I agree with Phil, 12's and 10's are all you need for a 5wt. I'm not bashing anyone here but I have found over my 18yrs of building fly rods that the REC strippers have a tendency of spreading apart in time. Don't know why but have used them quite a few times and something about the way they are coiled that they do tend to spread a bit in time.

Dave
East Bay Custom Fly Rods

I would not go larger than a 12 even on an 8wt fly rod. If you tape a 16 on that rod it will look like a silver dollar hanging off the rod. For larger spey or switch rods that is fine, to much for a trout rod. You also only need the 12 if you choose, then go to a snake guide.

You might try a high frame spinning style 12 and see how that performs for you.

.............

Thanks for all the good advice!

Tom Kirkman's suggestion is spot on!!

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com

Actually looking at ordering two blanks, a 9' 5wt and a 9' 9wt. Both for FW/SW use.
Looking at the
Fuji BMNAG Concept Alconite Guides for Hvy Spin/Cast
Size j12 and j10 for the 5wt and
Size j16 and j12 for the 9wt.

Are these suitable or would you still go 12 and 10 for the 9wt too?

Does the j in the size mean anything or does it imply a differece from the standard sizing?

Being in South Africa I need to get my order right - shipping costs etc.etc.

Thanks for all assistance thus far.

I personally prefer a larger stripping guide - size 16 on 4wts through 7wts, and then size 20's on 8wts and up. My second guide up is a size 10 when using a 16 for a strip guide, and a size 12 when using a 20 as a strip guide. The greater "stand-off" distance seems to relieve some of the angles associated with double haul casts, but a spinning style guide can achieve this as well. I personally just don't like the looks of a high frame spinning guide on fly rods - but it's just a matter of personal preference.

Torin.