I just ordered a Ben's of Holland 4wt 7ft 6 fiberglass blank. I'm trying to decide what guides sizes and this is what I'm thinking so far.

10mm
3
2
1/0
1/0
1/0
1/0
1/0
1/0
1/0
small tip top

Any advice? I've heard you don't need to have all the step down sizes as it just adds weight so I was thinking going down in size pretty quickly and just using the small 1/0 as the running guides. Thoughts?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2021 11:00PM by Daren Molina.

As long as you know the 1/0 will pass your required line and any related connections easily, you'll be fine. You could even drop the number 2 and go right from the 3 to the 1/0's. Gradual guide size reduction is for the human eye, not the rod nor the line. They don't care and won't be affected.

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I built a CTSquartzCrysal 3 weight, 7'6" rod using a snake guide kit from CTS. The rod casts, and performs beatifully. Take a look at their site. Also, Herb Leaderman. on rodbuilding . org, is a great resource for CTS products. The guide kits take the guess work out of the equation. You will need to be able to give the tip, and butt diameter for you blank.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

I’ll second Tom K’s recommendation. I’ve built a gang of glass blanks in that length and line weight using that guide train. I’d also recommend Snake Brand Universals for the snake guides.

Daren,

I build a lot of fly rods, and rarely go down to size 1/0. I feel the difference in the size of the tip and a 1/0 guide is too dramatic. Plus the weight difference in a 1/0 and size 1 is not significant. If I were building the rod, I would start with the 12/6 Microwave Stripper from American Tackle, then use a 4, two 3's, three 2's and 1's the rest of the way.