I've been researching online prior to starting my first fly rod build and noticed that quite a few of the high end commercially available rods have a trim band wrap at the base of the tip top . Is this needed for a functional reason or is it just bling ? I will be attempting a 9 ft 5wt .
Thanks
Ron

Ron,
No need for trim band. Just adds weight in a place that you do not want it.
I place a very narrow "ring" of thread finish around the tip top barrel.
Herb

Herb Ladenheim Wrote:
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> Ron,
> No need for trim band. Just adds weight in a
> place that you do not want it.
> I place a very narrow "ring" of thread finish
> around the tip top barrel.
> Herb

Thanks Herb . I assume the narrow "ring" you mention is at the ferrule . I couldn't imagine why a trim band under the tip top guide would be needed but there it was on several "high end" rods . Go figure :) Thanks again .
Ron

Ron,
If the only tip-top available is too large for the rod's tip - some builders will put thread UNDER to tip top barrel as a bushing.
Rarely the case with a fly rod.
I place my ring of finish at the end of the tip-top barrel. About 1/16" - 1/8" wide
Herb

It is bling in terms of function.

It is aesthetic in terms of looks to you.

That's my take.

You can always change it later if you wish.

Herb Ladenheim Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
.
> I place my ring of finish at the end of the
> tip-top barrel. About 1/16" - 1/8" wide
> Herb

Herb,
Is this 1/16'-1/8" thread trim just for tradition or aesthetics as Mr. Cline suggest ? As usual , I'm confused . Your first statement suggested there was nothing needed ( if the tip top fit ) ??
Ron

Les Cline Wrote:
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> It is bling in terms of function.
>
> It is aesthetic in terms of looks to you.
>
> That's my take.
>
> You can always change it later if you wish.

I appreciate your reply . I hadn't planned to put on a tip top trim band unless it improved the function . I'm not much on bling particularly much past the fore grip . I am sort of big on tradition though . Thanks .
Ron

Ron,
Has nothing to do with tip-top fit. Fly rods are easy to fit. The epoxy ring is just that - a small dab of thread epoxy around the back end of the tip-top barrel - no thread - just thread epoxy.
Herb

Herb Ladenheim Wrote:
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> Ron,
> Has nothing to do with tip-top fit. Fly rods are
> easy to fit. The epoxy ring is just that - a small
> dab of thread epoxy around the back end of the
> tip-top barrel - no thread - just thread epoxy.
> Herb

Now that makes a great deal of sense . I learn something useful here every day . Thank you .
Ron

I'm usually 9+ ft. away and waving the rod back and forth, these old eyes wouldn't know the difference.

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
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> I'm usually 9+ ft. away and waving the rod back
> and forth, these old eyes wouldn't know the
> difference.

Young man , you probably shouldn't talk about eye problems for several more years :) Ain't it a hoot how some youngsters can see like a hawk and care less about the details and , when you get a little older and can't count the fingers on your hand , the little details matter the most :) Just ain't fair .

My grandson can't walk into my rod room without sunglasses and I'm running out of magnification, and I still swear I'm missing a minute gap. Seriously, my wife has already had both eyes done for cataracks and I will have to have the right eye done soon, they told me I was eligible 5+ years ago. Don't know how much closer I can get my nose to the work without knocking it off my face. KL-H and match guides are getting dangerous.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2022 01:55PM by Spencer Phipps.

Ronald,

I always add a band of thread butting up to the tip top and have the thread finish extend up and over the tip top tube by a tiny bit. This does two things:

- Makes the tip top consistent with the other guides
- The thread finish will help keep the tip top secure should the epoxy get melted, like in a hot rear window (I use ferrule cement)

If the guide wraps have a small trim band, I also add the trim band to the tip top wrap.

The added weight, as noted by Herb, is insignificant in my opinion, I cannot tell the difference when I fish the rod.

I do this to all my rods, regardless of format or purpose (Fly, Spinning, Casting, Jigging, Rail Rod, Ice, etc.). I like the consistent appearance, it provides a more finished look in my opinion.

Rich

Richard Bowers Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ronald,
>
> I always add a band of thread butting up to the
> tip top and have the thread finish extend up and
> over the tip top tube by a tiny bit. This does
> two things:
>
> - Makes the tip top consistent with the other
> guides
> - The thread finish will help keep the tip top
> secure should the epoxy get melted, like in a hot
> rear window (I use ferrule cement)
> Rich

I had not thought of adding a tiny fine line of epoxy at the base of the tip top but agree that it could add a small measure of security . I'm new to all this and , from the very first day , it has been drilled into my head that you shouldn't add anything forward of the fore grip that you didn't have to but I can see your point about consistency . Thanks .
Ron