I've read somewhere to place the stripper guide 32" or so from the fly rod reel seat. I'm building a 4 pc 5wt for son and this measurement means no guide on the first piece, only the reel seat will be here. I don't even know what question to ask, I've learned so much here. Is it common to not have a guide on the first piece of a 4 pc fly rod?

With one hand on the grip, reach up with the other. The stripper should be just beyond your reach. This is so you can strip line in efficiently. Many fly rod builds have no guides on the forst section, not a problem!

Awesome! TY Phil

Awesome! TY Phil

Put the butt guide 32 inches from the butt of the rod. Again, put the butt (stripping) guide 32 inches from the butt of the rod. One last time, put the guide 32 inches from the butt of the rod.

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Thank you Mr K. I almost got it....smiley here

Does it matter if there is a fighting butt? or no fighting butt? still 32"?

32 inches from the rear of what would otherwise be the rod butt. Do not measure from what would be the end of a removable fighting butt.

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I have been entertaining the thought of building my first fly rod as well and wondering of the stripper placement. Tom, is 2’8” or 82mm close enough? lol

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

Stan,
As Tom said. 32". The world will not end if it is at 33". Just not less than 32".
To make it simple - measure 32-33" from end of blank - make your mark - that is where the ring of the stripper will be.

It doesn't matter if you install a FB or not if you do the above.
Herb

Great site gents. TY

Mark, put it at 2' 8". Not 82 mm. That will be way too short. 2' 9" will be way too long. :-)

I always try to follow the blank manufacturers suggestions. I would hope they know best about the blanks they are building and where the guides will be most effective.

How long is the rod? It depends on the length of the rod. Nothing is set in stone.

5wt 9'

On a fly rod, it does NOT depend upon the rods over all length! The stripper still needs to beyond your reach, so you can access the line to strip in whether for casting or fighting a fish.

Phil is right-it is about the ergonomics of handling the rod and line. Get the stripper right and go from there with the other guides. I'd like detail on what determined the magic universal 32 inch dimension recommendation. I've probably heard it before, but don't remember the basis.

The 32" makes sense. My last 2 fly builds, both 9', were built with specs from blank mfr's website. The guide spacing was given with spacing starting from the tip. Stripper guide suggested at 79 5/16". 108 - 79 5/16" = 28.75..

Now that I'm thinking about this, and being right handed, any stripping is done through my right index finger while holding the rod. So, my longest strip would be from right index finger at the handle to as far to the left as I can strip with left hand.

Does 32" aid in double hauling?

LOL!

Ok, will do.