I am building my third rod and would like to know what would be the preferred spacing and number of guides using single foot Pac Bay chrome guides on a 9 foot Pac Bay 7 weight blank. Any information will be appreciated.

Ben

I'd think about 9 or 10 and a top. But you'd have to make the static stress test thing to know for sure. You then space them out progressively and run a line through them and flex the blank. Shift the guides around to eliminate any jumps or flat spots in the line. You want the line to follow roughly the same curve as the blank. That's the best way to do it that I know of.

Agree with the above post, but don't limit the number of guides if more is needed. Now days, with the singlefoots being so light it weight and only requiring half the thread and finish, more guides does not neccessarily mean more weight. The benefit is like what William said in getting the line to "follow" the curve of the blank. The idea is keep the line as close to the blank as you can without the line ever slapping it during casting. I usually stress test a flyrod in two ways. Place the guides stress test and adjust with the guides on bottom. Then turn the rod 180 degrees and stress with guides on top. This does two things for me 1) a little easier to identify "flat spots" in the flow of the line and 2) similates "sort of" what the line is doing as you begin the forward motion and "load" the rod during casting. I don't know if this is needed, but for me it makes sense, it is kind of a seceondary "check" and makes sense. Some of the more experienced may have an opinion on this and add their thoughts. Go with them if something I said is not right.
Again, like William said, on a 9 foot rod, MOST likely (not definite) it will 9-10 guides.. This does not include the tiptop. Guide spacing to me is the most critical part of the building process, I spend ALOT of time stressing and casting to ensure proper placement. Remeber performance is #1, looks #2, well, at least in my book. If using concept guides it could go up to 11 or 12 guides. It all depends on the testing. Hope this helps
Elrod

Ben emailed me asking what I use to temporarily hold guides in place will testing. Following is my response. I know many already use this technique, but thought would be good to share with all.

"I use rubber surgical tubing and cut it to make 1/8" "little rubberbands". You can purchase this from Clemens Tackle or if you know someone in the medical profession, get them to grab a few different sizes. Clemens offers in three different sizes, I use the two smaller ones. Just roll them all on the blank before you put the tiptop on, then roll them onto the guide feet. That way it is very easy to reposition, don't have to mess with the tape thing, on and off, on and off. Leave them on as you begin to wrap each guide, to hold in place, then once you have wrapped up onto the foot enough for the thread to hold it, take a razor or scissors and cut the band off. Works perfect.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Elrod"