I'm about to build an Anglers Roost 11' 5/6 wt switch rod. It's a medium action, 4-pce blank. I've looked at several options for guide spacing, some which include a stripping guide on the bottom section, others placing the bottom guide on the 2nd section. Really looking for a starting point, to get me to the point of doing a static test to dial them in.
Just wondering if anyone here has built on this blank, and can recommend guide spacing, etc

Make sure you find straight axis to start. I don't know if you have built a switch so get all your first stuff done first. ie; grip, tip, wrap ferrules. Then I hold rod horizontal and wiggle rod side to side (letting the rod flex on its own between 2 fingers) to find the point where the tip flex and butt section flex intersect. You can find this by placing a piece of tape like a flag on the point where you think you have it then wiggle again. once the tape does not move mark that spot and that point dose not move. Your guide placement will be adjusted to that point. Standard practice for me is start at tip and space down. I start with a 4" space from tip then work down the rod increasing by 1 inch some time (most times) you will adjusting by 1/4 -1/8 inch. The last guide (or first stripper should be 18 20" from grip top. 11' rod 12 guides + tip top. Mark all your guide placement then tape on guides and do your static.I like for that size rod at least 2 strippers at butt .
This is my build practice I'm sure others do it their way. I have had no complaints about my builds. This was how I was taught and it seems to work fine. Master Chief Ladd (Ret. USN) taught me only if I agreed to teach someone else.

Dave Loren
East Bay Custom Fly Rods

Rick,
If you provide the distance from the reel seat to the tip I can give you some locations.
The number of guides anticipated is also helpful. You could choose 11 or 12 it will make a small difference.

Gene Moore

Much appreciated Dave and Gene.

Dave, I had not heard of that method before, but am hearing more and more about finding a straight axis rather than locating the spine. Thanks for your explanation....I will give it a try on this build.

Gene, My o/all grip length will be 17 1/2", with the top of the reel seat at 125" from the tip. The end of the 1st ferrule is at 100" from the tip. I'm thinking of 12 guides, plus tip. Any help with guide locations would be appreciated.

Thanks again, guys...Sorry for the seemingly late response. I had replied earlier, but just noticed it didn't go through.

Rick

Rick,


12 guide
3.8 ; 8.0 ; 12.7 ; 18.0 ; 23.8 ; 30.3 ; 37.6 ; 45.7 ; 54.7 ; 64.7 ; 75.9 ; 88.4

11 guide
3.9 ; 8.3 ; 13.3 ; 19.0 ; 25.5 ; 32.9 ; 41.3 ; 50.9 ; 61.8 ; 74.2 ; 88.4

The placement may be varied to better fit with the connection ferrules of the blank

Gene,

Thank you for working this out for me. Looking forward to putting it together.

Rick