I admit my hands shook more than usual while wrapping a MicroWave 18 stripping guide on a 10 weight fly rod. It just looked wrong. [www.rodbuilding.org]

But not to worry, it really, truly works. The lawn tarpon were impressed by the test casts, and I'm seriously warming to its appearance.

Seriously, it is a very viable stripping guide option for 8 to 10 weight fly rods.

About time somebody tested it and gave it a thumbs up , thanks for doing it and commenting about it.

Was there any benefit?

Thank you Donald. This is how we advance in our technology, by pushing the limits and acting on non-conventional ideas. I don't even care if works, but it is a step in the right direction. Really not sure why it would not work. Rapid reduction and suppression of the wave formation in the line will no doubt make a better performing rod.

Phil

At the moment I call it a push on the benefit front. I would have used a couple REC Ti strippers on a 10 weight. I've no idea if there is a net weight reduction or gain. The impact of any net weight gain or loss should be minimal considering the guide's location. The rod cast OK and as well as a 9' 9 weight which is my go to rod for the few occasions I have to fish the surf. But, I am not a divine gift to fly casting, and a more competent caster might or might not find fault. There is less than $5 cost difference between a couple appropriately sized Recoil double foot strippers vs a MicroWave 18 and s snake in place of a second stripping guide.

I am waiting for a report from the recipients of the rod (friends residing in FL) who frequently target red fish, snook, and tarpon.

Is there a commanding reason to use the MicroWave 18? Maybe, maybe not. Is there a casting distance benefit? Not for me. Is there a difference between casting to lawn tarpon vs casting from a pitching deck to the real thing? There sure is, and line management is no issue out on the lawn. It's different story on that pitching deck, and the MicroWave might or might not really shine there. Is there as yet a known or suspected problem? There is not.

The only negative I thus far see, and it's really minor, is a fellow will need to take a few extra seconds to clean all the guide's nooks and crannies to get all the nasty salt water flushed away.

Thank you Donald! If there is a casting benefit, I believe it may be when "shooting" many coils of line.

This is an interesting subject for a non-fly guy like me. Hopefully there are many replies and opinions for me to follow!!!

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

Thank you for the amazing review Donald... we thought the same thing during our many years of testing.

_______________________________
God Bless, Don Morse

800-516-1750 ext. 1207 / don@americantackle.us

Rod Building..... It's What We Do.

IMO - albeit without experience with it - all you have accomplished is reducing the size of the stripping guide to the "inner" ring. Since a fly line has a linear flow vs line coming off a spinning reel , the mechanics don't make sense to me.
You're also giving up on the non-corrosion properties of nickle/titanium alloy.
I'm sure it works - but just reduce the stripping guide size to a #12 from a #20 and you've done the same thing.
Herb

This works quite well when you are building combination fly/spin pack rods.

Herb, you,ll be glad to hear someone is thinking of adding another ring, the TRCG(three ring circus guide)..lol.

Oh, Ben.

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

your right Mark but i have a low silliness threshold..i,m working on it..but i still have these lapses..lol.

Ben, does the TRCG have a Big Top?

Ha! now cut that out..no more clowning around..lol.