Hey guys I am building myself a RX8-909 and have been struggling with the correct guide size to use.
The rod will be used with a floating line and heavy streamers.
I was going to use a #16 and #12 stripping guide but am unsure on what size running guides.
I want to use single foot guides , what size would you recommend?

It's going to depend on the connections you plan on using. You'll want to go as small as you can without impeding the flow of any knots or loop to loop connections. To be safe, many won't go below a size 8 in a ceramic single foot. It might be possible to drop to 6's, but again, will depend on your connections.

You won't need any in-between sizes from the 12 (or 10) to the running guides.

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

Dear Paul,
You are correct with the #16 and #12.
Previously I would have said #4 for runners. But I experimented with #3's on a 10wt rod and it worked great.
Also - previously I would have agreed with you re single foot guides for weight considerations. But after building a fly rod for one of the all time greats of fly fishing - I now only use snakes at his suggestion. He feels that they shoot line better. He also will not use a rod unless it has a ceramic stripper.

So - again I experimented with snakes and found the build is lighter even with the two wraps because the wraps are shorter and have a lower profile than SF guides that stand higher and require a Forhan Lock.

I also have found that I now like the Snakebrand universal snakes over the REC - even at a slight weight disadvantage.
5 REC #3 snakes weigh 0.1 grams less than Snakebrand's #3's.
Regards,
Herb

I have built a few fly rods an I am very happy with the Snake brand universal guides , they are some of the best if not the best , no prep for the feet ,

William Sidney
AK

Hi William,
"No-Prep" is what they advertise - but I find that size "00" nylon does not climb nor sit well on the tip of the feet. Size "A" is OK though. I use "00" thread on all my running guides for lightness. Half the thickness as "A" so final profile much lower. So I prep the feet to needle sharpness.
I went as far as having Mike send me un-chromed guides that I prepped and then he chromed them. Wish I did more than 200 because he won't do it again. Too much of a problem for him.
Herb

Thank you all for the replies,
I appreciate the info on the snake guides, I have them on all my 5wt rod but this is the first heavier (9wt) rod I have built and thought it was a better way to go from what I read?
My 5wt rod has a transition of snake guides from 4 down to 2 after the strippers so what size would you recommend for a 9wt?

Take a look at the PacBay Minima guides. A size 6 will have the same opening at most ceramic #8's and they weigh less than snake guides for the same size opening.

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

Like as Tom says-- But get the minima 4's

Bill - willierods.com

OK thanks for all the info guys.
The single foots I found are PB Minimas, I have some #5 and some #4 so I will try these and see how thy work.

as far as snake brand guides there are nothing perfect out there, is there any guide out there better then the snake brand, if there is do let me know as I will look into getting some for my next FLY rod build , As I only use "" A "" size thread thread I don't have the trouble with them , still looking for a better guide in the snake series , but till then I still think they are the best I have seen or used , BILL

William Sidney
AK

The Pac Bay Minimas work well on fly rods but what you have may be just a tad small, again depending upon the connections you use. I tend to go no smaller than #6's on the higher weight fly rods. They have about the same opening as a ceramic at least one size larger.

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

Awesome, thanks for your help Tom and all that replied

Paul: I suggest you actually get a 10wt. floating line and attach a leader with a #50 butt section to the fly line with either a nail knot or a loop-to-loop connection. Then actually pass the line-to-leader connection through the guide train of a rod with the same size guides as those you hope to use. See if the connection actually passes through the guide train to your satisfaction. Experiments are more reliable than theories.
I once built a 9 wt. rod with guides which were too small. The leader connection would pass through the guides, but when a good fish was about to be landed the leader-line connection would catch in a guide and the tippet would break when a fish bolted. I had to cut off all the running guides, buy larger replacements, wrap and epoxy them.

Good tip thanks Phil, I will try that.