Daughter and I are going to be buildng a couple of 6wts this winter. Mine will be built on a batson rx8 hers an rx7 they will be used primarily for smallmouth and perhaps the occasional small carp. I was thinking a 12, and a 10 for strippers followed by size 2 single foots to the tip. any other suggestions or thoughts?

Take a look at the Minima 4s. I have built a number of 6wts with them and customers are very satisfied. I believe you have selected two good blanks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2013 04:04PM by Phil Erickson.

guide size on a fly rod it would be great to have a very small set ,but I was told by a old time rod builder on thei web site the running guide size has to let your """ KNOT's """ flow throu them
don't want the knot to get caught on them I could be wrong , what ever size you get do look at "" SNAKE "" brand snake guides, the standard size , there feet bend to the rod an on the top 1/3 of the rod it realy makes a differance , when the feet bend to the rod I think , they do cost a little more but well worth the money , most of the retailers handle them , [ retailers to the left ]
the ones that do A lot of FLY rod sales , there TIP TOPS are not bad PS the "" SNAKE "" brand guides feet don't have to be dressed up before installing ,
SID

William Sidney
AK

Lets say your choices come down to Minima's, snake guides, and single foot guides, Are any of the above choices such a poor choice as to make/break the rod? Personally I don't think so. I have built with both single foot and snake guides on the same blank (5/6 wt) and don't see a huge difference. I haven't used minima's. Some here love them and some imply that they could only ruin a fly rod less than 8-9+ weight.

My thoughts? If I didn't have to pass a knot....or worry about damage from transport/rough use.... I'd go single foot....otherwise snakes. If I was after fish I thought would make huge (100 yard type) runs I'd go Minima's.

Could well be more difference in your decison to go 12, 10 on the first two guides.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Troy,

12 10 strippers, 1- #4, #2 single foot fly is what I'd use.

Greg
Aptos, CA

If you stick to fresh water and treat your tackle gently then for practical purposes it doesn't make much difference what guides you use. Fashion consciousness is another matter.