I have a 10ft 6wt Diamondback VSR DGS800 rod that I am trying to determine the original guide spacing as I suspect it's been altered before I came across it. Any insight you can give along to include the original type/size of guides used would be helpful! Thank you

even though they are a discontinued model have you tried to contact Cortland ??
how many sections is it and can you see where the old guides were ??

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

I have a 9 Ft. VSR 5/6 here, I imagine the guide sizes would be the same. You've got a well respected stillwater trout rod there, as is the 9 Ft version.

Without referring to charts and formulas is there any way to just look at a rod under strain to determine ideal guide placements? What would be the critical thing to look for?

Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> Without referring to charts and formulas is there
> any way to just look at a rod under strain to
> determine ideal guide placements? What would be
> the critical thing to look for?

That's what all custom builders should be shooting for - it's the only way to taylor a guide set-up for a particular rod blank. Instructions on what you're looking for when doing a static distribution test are in the online library.

........

So much for my hopes of finding a one-size-fits-all guide placement table - like manufactured rods have. But then if I built out a blank using the manufacturer's guide placements I would be building a copy of a manufactured rod, ignoring how and what the rod will be used for, guide selection, guide spacing, and type of line flowing through the guides. Unless the custom rod's buyer wants to use the rod only for decoration or bragging I imagine he or she would specify line type and #test of line, target species, fishing method [bobber?] rod components: grip and reel seat, etc.

It's worse than you think - many manufacturers still use the guide spacing chart published by Fenwick way back in the 1970's, with no tweaking or tuning for their specific models. There can never be a "one size fits all" guide placement table until there is a "one size fits all" blank.

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

Chris,
I respect your effort. But for what purpose?

You have a rod, that you want to use, sell or hang on a wall. If you take the rod and it doesn't cast the way that you want it to cast, cut the guides off, and reposition the guides, or tie on a new set that suits you.

But, if you are a historic restorer of fine objects, and want the rod for a perfect display model, by all means continue the search.

Good luck