I have a rod I built in a hurry to fish one weekend. Didn't have time for finish. That was 5 or so years ago. Nothing but good old Gudebrod A nylon holding the guides on. I have to adjust one that gets knocked out of alignment now and then. It really needs rewrapped because the thread is starting to get stained and has some mildew on it. I 100% believe the thread is what holds the guides.

Scott..slap some CP on it and you,ll get another year out of it..lol.

Getting back to Mark M’s original question, a guide wrap is simply a modified composite laminate structure. Over 95% of the strength of any composite laminate is afforded by the fibers employed, be they CF, Aramid, FG or in the case of our guide wraps the thread. A matrix of epoxy is employed to keep the fibers aligned and from moving to allow the fibers to do their job, but add very little to the overall strength. Both are required to produce a structurally sound, permanent laminate; without the epoxy, the threads will loosen and the tag ends pop-out, while without the thread, the epoxy will not be nearly as strong. Can either be used alone? Yes. Will they be as strong and permanent by themselves? No.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I think thread is used because it's highly effective, plus easy and cheap to use. And it's probably the relative cheapness that wins in the end. Even a $1000 fly rod has maybe $1 worth of thread on it at the most.

Without being an engineer, but having stayed in a Holiday Inn recently, I think it's the thread that supplies 90% of the strength to the rod/guide junction. Plus, even if the thread strength is say 2 pounds (I think it's higher) the 20 wraps of it provide a lot of strength. The epoxy is just there to keep the thread locked in place.

I did replace the guides recently on a Korea built fly rod, and while they do use thread, the covering was not epoxy. It's much harder, thinner, and more brittle. Held up fine for the 10 years I've fished that rod whatever it is.

Drew