Over the years I must of built at least 50 fly rods. All my builds have been with snake guides. Working on another fly build and was thinking about the single foot guides. Hoping for some pro's and con's single foot vs snake's. My feeling is the single ft with an insert is going to add weight that would change the dynamics of the blanks action. Maybe i'm over thinking it, who knows. Input is welcome.

Fishing is not a matter of life or death, it's much more important than that

Modern ceramics have very thin rings - you won't change much. But there is also the alternative of something like the PacBay Minima single foots with stainless rings. Good compromise. Several companies offer similar guides these days.

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John,
Don’t forget to factor-in the additional weight of thread and epoxy required for a “lightweight” double-foot snake guide. Incredible or infantesimal = you tell me?!?!

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

Why not consider single foot wire fly guides. They have to be the lightest and they work fine. The only "advantaage" I've heard on snakes is that they pass knots and tangles better than single foot. I've used a rod with single foot guides quite a bit and have had no problems.

If you want to know exactly how the weight of guides is or is not affecting a rod's dynamics then test it for True Natural Frequency.

Tom, I saw the Minima Trichrome guides that looks like a good fit. Being unfamiliar with these guides I'm asking for guidance as to which sizes, the build is a 9ft 5wt crb blank

Fishing is not a matter of life or death, it's much more important than that

I’ve used the Fuji KB / KT Torzite and Seaguide versions on a few recent builds, (size 7 and later size 6) I don’t notice much difference from the weight. Bigger flies and coastal wind you know. Just ordered some Rec CeRecoil single foot guides for a lighter build.

I was originally concerned about tip wrap, but that hasn’t proven the case. I have noticed that a lot of the Euro Nymph rods use snakes on the tip section to allegedly combat this. Ymmv

John Sansevera Wrote:
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> Tom, I saw the Minima Trichrome guides that looks
> like a good fit. Being unfamiliar with these
> guides I'm asking for guidance as to which sizes,
> the build is a 9ft 5wt crb blank


I have used the Minima 4 guides on many fly rod projects. Because the actually opening is larger than that on similar sized ceramics, I will typically get down to a size 5 on most mid-weight fly rods. Never had any issue with line or connection passage.

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I have used both traditional two foot snake guides and wire single foot. I have not noticed any real difference in fishing them. Single foot may freeze up a bit quicker in cold weather, if that is an issue. Single foot of course only require half the number or wraps, though some will contend you should employ a Forhan locking wrap on single foot guides, which is no big deal.

Look at the Recoil or Hopkins and Holloway single foot guides.

SzmutnI Ákos, the renowned owner and designer of Stickman Rods, has done much research and testing of guides in his rod building. Here is what he has to say about guides: [www.stickmanrods.com]

I build only fly rods and have built 100's. I have not used a double foot snake guide in 15 years! For rods up to 6-7 weight I use single foot wire guides (available in two weights) and above those I use single foot minima's..

If you chose to use single foot guides, be sure to employ the locking loop.

Add a couple of more than you would double foot snakes. It will cast better. For the lightest tip top consider using a Fuji Torzite KG Arowana 6 or 7. Lighter than a REC, or other Fly large loop tip tops.

Thanks to all that replied, I will take some recommendations and employ them.

Fishing is not a matter of life or death, it's much more important than that

>>I build only fly rods and have built 100's. I have not used a double foot snake guide in 15 years! For rods up to 6-7 weight I use single foot wire guides (available in two weights) and above those I use single foot minima's..

If you chose to use single foot guides, be sure to employ the locking loop.

Good advice, IMHO

I use the locking loop on all single foot guide builds

Fishing is not a matter of life or death, it's much more important than that