I'm into only my second rod build, a fibreglass fly rod, and wanting to experiment
I'm using white silk thread and no CP to give a transparent wrap. my question is about how much I have to whip the guide feet.

Is it okay to start at the top of the foot and leave the end of the guide foot unwrapped? I realise I'd need to extend the epoxy beyond the foot but wanted to minimise wrap and epoxy. Have any of you done this and will it cause problems?

Thank you in advance

Use Permagloss and you don't even need thread. Just open a window.

I have heard of leaving the end of the feet unwrapped. But start at the area near the foot and go uphill.

You can also wrap the bottom - leave a gap - and wrap the top of the foot. That would be more secure.
Herb

Thanks for the tips gents, much appreciated

John

John,
Of course you can put a guide on a rod, if you want using no thread at all.

But, just out of curiosity - what are you hoping to achieve by only wrapping 1/2 of the guide foot on the rod?

Be safe

Hi Roger, Good question, and frankly I'm not sure I know! I'm a total novice that likes to experiment. I was playing around with wraps and liked the look of a smaller wrap and once it's finished it's all but invisible so wondered if I needed to wrap the whole foot. In my defense, when messing around, I've wrapped more than half the foot and guess it's more like 80%, just leaving a 'big toe' exposed.

John Walker (Wales, UK)

Hope you don't have any trouble with a guide coming loose ??

Bill - willierods.com

John,
One potential issue that you might have with a guide that is partially wrapped and that is getting the foot to be waterproof. You don't want moisture wicking under the guide foot or thread that could cause long term issues.

Be safe

I really do not like your idea of half wrapping a guide foot. You are using white silk thread, this will make the wrap disappear any way. Why compromise the functionality of a wrap, which in short is to hold the guide firmly in place when casting and playing a fish. If you want less weight, less epoxy and a smaller wrap use single foot guides that what they are made for.
Norm

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Someone please help me give credit where it's due. I believe this was called a high heel wrap. Its on a rod I did years ago but I can't remember who did it first. This is covered in permagloss John. It has stood up to a lot of abuse through the years and is still going.

Thank you gents for your advice and feedback. I've lots still to learn!