I'm building a 5 weight fly rod to be used in very cold, icy conditions. I'll use traditional (double foot) snake guides.

I'm thinking of maybe using slightly larger guides than I would if conditions weren't icy. Is that necessary? What's the smallest size snake guide you would use?

Icing?
At least a sz 3 snake.
And a "large loop" tip top.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

I agree on size 3 (I use them on my 8wt for salmon/steelhead) though they will look a bit funny on a 5wt.
I tried single foots first but rewrapped with snakes due to icing issues.

Dave may I suggest you think about recoil guides. I really like them in ice and prefer the black as it is better if any sun at all. But the flick of a thumb if ice does happen to build up sends it flying without damage. I do prefer single foot but that's a preference

David,
I build a lot of ice rods that are used in all weather conditions by fellows who seldom use a shelter. They will often fish in very hostile conditions with the temperatures as low as -20F or -30F.

I have tried many different guide sets for these particular clients. I have finally settled on a very tough reinforced guide set, where no guide or tip is any smaller than a size 10.

When these particular clients have their guides turn into a total block of ice, they simply take the rod and beat it against the ice until all of the ice has been knocked loose from their rods and their guides. For the type and style fishing that they do, they do not want to have to baby their rods, and worry about guides bending or breaking in these very extreme conditions that they fish.

So, as I said earlier, no guide smaller than a size 10. When I dropped down to size 8 for a couple of rods, they sent them back and asked that they be redone with the size 10 to minimize the icing problem.

Granted, these are extreme fishermen, fishing in extreme conditions; but one builds what the client wants and builds the tool to do the job that is needed for the client.

Be safe

Second Billy's recommendation of REC recoil guides - the lightweight variety. They are very flexible and will return to their original shape when deformed. I suggest you put a forhan wrap or two on both legs of each snake guide. The flexibility of the guides is an asset to removing ice but may allow one leg of a snake guide to "back out" from beneath its thread wrap, an event which will heat up the air in the vicinity on the coldest day.

Second Billy's recommendation of REC recoil guides - the lightweight variety. They are very flexible and will return to their original shape when deformed. I suggest you put a forhan wrap or two on both legs of each snake guide. The flexibility of the guides is an asset to removing ice but may allow one leg of a snake guide to "back out" from beneath its thread wrap, an event which will heat up the air in the vicinity on the coldest day.

Roger,

I just had a visual of a bunch of fur-clad ice fishermen, jumping up and down on the ice, beating their ice rods against the ice, saying "Me want FISH!"....

Thanks for that...lol.

Chris

Chris,
What makes you think that they don't say that?

That is what a lot were saying about the Acid Wrap ??

sounds like a few Neanderthals ?? LOL

Bill - willierods.com

I think if you guys are getting ice on your guides you're fishing W A A A Y too far north. :-)

Michael,
Any time one is fishing through 4 feet of ice, there is a REALLY good chance that you are going to be getting ice on the guides.

Be safe

I know, Roger, just kidding.

In addition to using huge guides a fly fisherman should be sure to use a cold-weather fly line when fishing through the ice.

There are also things to spray on the rod and guides like Pam ya it sounds crazy but shoure helps

Bill - willierods.com