So I am going to be building my first fly rod. I apologize if any of these questions have already been hashed out. But the research I've done has been a little inconclusive. I'm planning on buying the mud hole turnkey kit for a MHX 9ft 5wt 2 piece rod. The kit comes with snake guides and I am wanting to use rec single foot guides, just a personal preference. I read the article for the "new guide" concept of immediately jumping to smallest guide instead of stepping down guide sizes. From what I read I was considering using one size 10 stripping guide, size 4 or 6 single foot, then 7 size 2 single foot guides and then the tip top. Does this seem reasonable? I know a lot of this is based on personal preference. I'm just seeking a little advice to make sure I'm not way off base here. Thanks in advance for any help. It's much appreciated.

Yes it is reasonable and makes perfect sense. Of course the final test is to tape up the set of guides and go out and cast the rod a little bit. Once you do that you will know if it will work of not. I think you are going to find that your suggested set will work very well. But please try it for yourself.

I think you are on the right page. I would also suggest you look at using a single foot stripping guide. I have been building on the American Tackle Bushido Fly blanks for about 6 months now.. They are remarkable blanks. I have been using single foot size 10 Titanium Titan fly guides (NIRLF-10) , as my strippers on the 5 and 4 Wt rods, and Size 8 Titanium Titans (NIRLF-8)s on the 3 Wt rods. I go to size 1 running guides, progressing quickly to the small running guides as quickly as possible. I have been building primarily 3 Wt. and 4 Wt. fly rods, but have used the same set ups on 5 Wt rods. With whatever set up you go, Tape and test the guide set up as Ken suggested. This is always good advice.