I wanted to say thank you again!

I successfully wrapped a 9-ft fly rod with 10 or 11 snake guides and a frog rod yesterday. I only had one guide needing to be redone.

Two big ah ha moments...
- insert earlier, almost twice as much as I was doing previously.
- untied pull loop and pull one end through

Previously I was using a pull loop I made with a knot in it. I didn't realize how much easier it comes through when you can pull one end of the loop separate from the other.

Cutting before pull through now and have zero fuzzy tags!

Now I need to work on getting the wrap started, sometimes I struggle. Especially out towards the tip. This is where the size D becomes a disadvantage.

Question on thread sizing: I would think D wraps up the feet better than C. Even grinding the feet, I had a thought time with larger guides and even the snake guides popping through. Perhaps the C would have been better on the small REC snake guide feet.

Great stuff!

Rob -

What size thread did you use on your fly rod? Size D thread wraps up a steep-angled guide foot easier, yes; and also creates other problems you mentioned. The issue may not be the thread size as much as your guide foot prep.

I want to make a guide foot ramp that is more like a wheelchair ramp than a curb. Bottom line, an angle that my thread can climb smoothly.

I use size A thread, so tend to do some careful prep on all my guide feet first - particularly where the front edge meets the blank. I want this area to be close to flat to the blank. As a flat front edge can make a sharp edge, I dull it down with some 600-800 grit sandpaper on all sides that were filed/ground, and drag it across my thumbnail to make sure it is not a knife edge. Micro guides are already small and low and need minimal prep, if any, IME

Trial and Error:
* Try several sizes of thread on test wraps. Find the size that works for you right now. Maybe size B? As you improve, move to smaller sizes which have many advantages for smaller diameter rods/tips and guides.
* Try several test wraps on an old or cheap rod. I don't suggest a wooden dowel (unless hardwood) as the thread will bite into the softer material. Test thread size and guide foot prep angles for what works for you.
* Use a packing tool (fingernail, Bic pen cap, or commercially made tool) to keep wraps close together. I make three to five wraps and then pack the thread close together.

Finally, the most important thing is your enthusiasm and willingness to learn, which comes through clearly! Once you get it, you got it! Just a matter of time and experience for you to become as good as you want to be!

I found a little trick for getting the thread up on the occasional stubborn guide foot. Use a piece of thread similar to the pull through, but don't use a closed loop. Wrap the pull through thread around the wrap as it's coming around and up the foot. Hold pressure so it can slide off the ramp. Once you have a few wraps on the ramp, simply let go of one end of the pull through and pull it gently away from the foot. It'll come out clean and then just continue. Of course, the best thing to do is make sure the guide foot is ground proper to begin with, but I admit I have the occasional guide, that could've been ground a bit better, slip past me.