Do those of you who use the Fortran 5-6-7 system find the spacing to hold true using the Alconite SF fly guides on a casting rod with guides on top? I seem to have to add more guides and move them closer than called for. Wht have you discovered?

The Forhan Equal Distance system was designed for a spiral wrapped rod. If you put then on top you'll need more guides, on some rods they may be as close as 3 - 3 1/2 inches apart at the tip for awhile, that's one reason I spiral wrap, to lighten the tip.
Hope this helps.

I tend to start with the 5-6-7 as a general rule. Then adjust using the static distribution test. I find with more moderate spinning blanks the system is pretty good and needs only minor adjustments. With faster blanks the tip guides can get much closer. I have some that start 4, 4.5, 5, 6. It all depends on the blank.

The equal distance system was designed for all rods, actually. It does usually place a guide or two more than absolutely necessary on a rod, but with small and light guides, there isn't much of a penalty to pay. It works particularly well on casting and fly rods.

The premise of the system is that it provides more than adequate stress distribution for any blank and still provides enough casting distance for normal fishing situations.

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is it covered in a rodmaker issue?

I know it was in there but I couldn't tell you which one. See the rodmaker back issue list on their site and you should find it listed.