I'm building a NFC FAF 1008-4. How do I figure out the correct guide sizes to use. I have the spacing but what about guide size? It will be a fly rod for steelhead.

Thanks

Rick

Lots of information on guide sizes on this site if you do a little searching. Technically, the guides only need to be large enough to easily allow you line -- and knots -- to pass through them.

Typically, for an 8 weight rod, many would say use two double foot stripping guides, maybe a 16 and a 12, and then go to traditional snake guides. Some taper the snake guides, but there is no real reason to do that, unless you like the aeshetics. You want the smallest guide to be able to smoothly pass the largest knots or loops in your line.

Yes, the diameter of the largest knots in your leader-line train dictates the smallest diameter guides you can use. If you use a braided monofilament loop to connect your fly line to the butt of your leader with a "loop-to-loop" arrangement you can minimize the size of the guides on your rod.