I've seen a trend toward adding an extra stripper guide on heavier flyrods. That makes for three, sometimes four strippers on a rod, the first two looking about four inches apart. I'm building a 10 weight. Can anyone offer some commentary on the matter?

Fly line can tend to overshoot the standard second stripping guide. Having two close together helps to get the line moving in the "proper direction".

I first saw this trick used by a few Outer Banks fly fishermen way back in the early 1970's. there may have been others using it even before that. It appears to be coming back around and many are finding that it is beneficial.

The best thing you can do is to set up your rod in the normal manner and do some test casting. Then add on the additional stripper and test cast some more. You'll soon know if you are receiving any benefit from it.

Finally, I would not be surprised to see some enterprising component manufacturer develop a single specialty stripping guide that does the same job as these two do now. Just depends on how far the custom builders go in selling this worthwhile concept to the fishermen.

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I recently finished a Loomis F1089-4 where I used the 3rd stripper. I tested it first in the conventional 2 stripper configuration and than added the 3rd. It appears to keep the line off the rod better allowing the line to flow smoother between the stripping guides thus giving you the ability to shot more line. Looks different until you get used to it. Everyone that has cast this rod likes the way it feels and casts. When I get a chance I am going to add the 3rd stripper to a 7wt I built last year so I guess I am a convert to this 3rd stripping guide.

Richard

Maybe a different approach. First the extra guide is to stop the line from vibrating as it passes through the guides. Rather than trying to set in concrete the exact spacing test cast the rod with different set-ups and when the line goes through the guides without looking like it is moving you have it. The 100 mm will work on many rods but some require a third guide to completely stabilize the line. Move the guides around until the line flows through the guides without looking like it is movong.

I have always built my heavier rods with three stripping guides but, I'm a bit confused.
I'll explain myself this way. I am getting ready to build a nine foot, nine weight. My guide configuration is: 16, 12, 12, 6, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 5. I would folow the typical guide spacing but add another 16 within four inces of the first. Thius would make for :16, 16, 12, 12, 6, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 5. Correct?
Or is the recommendation just a third stripping guide like I already have but moving the 12 within four inches of the 16?
I hope I explained this right. I think I may have just confused myself.

Mark

You would an additional #12 about 3 or 4 inches past your single #16 stripper. The rest of the spacing remains unchanged.

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