8' 5wt 3pc fiberglass flyrod . 8 guides plus Stripper and Tip Top . Just getting the guides set but looks weird to me . What say ye ?

9 guides plus a tiptop should allow for enough stress distribution, provided you have good spacing. Just keep noodling around with it. What you show there isn't bad. Can't say if it could be better without having the rod in front of me.

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

Tom I left one guide off because it fell on a joint . It actually has 7 guides now . I just took it out and casted it but with 4wt windcutter line
and it's windy but was able to lay out 45 ft pretty easily with it . I cant get any more distance as my yard isn't big enough .

I built a 4pc 4wt glass not long ago and it has 9 guides . Would I be better lay this 3pc up like the 4pc and go from there on static ?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/2019 05:40PM by ron zimmerman.

If you have a guide that falls on a ferrule, that's okay. So much the better actually. You don't want to use too many guides but assuming you are using modern, lightweight guide types, try adding one and see what you think. Keep the wraps short and finish light. You should be okay.

If I had to err on the side of one too many or one too few guides, I'd go with one too many.

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

Tom , I am using the new snake brand round blank guides . I have one more so I'll go back to the original layout . Thank you .

the guides are some of the best out there , RON

William Sidney
AK

Ron

You are spot on correct using static stress test to determine guide locations. And using a brightly colored line or backing makes the task easier. However, try loading the rod to 90 degrees with a second line attached directly to the tip top and minimal pressure on the line through the guides.

Donald , that isn't my static test it's the way I line up the guides . I do see how it looks like one tho . When I get them all lined up I go back and do it the right way .
Thanks for spotting a possible a potentially bad test tho .

If it were my rod, I would add 2 more guides and adjust the spacing accordingly on the rod near the tip.

Take care