I was wondering what type of tip tops everyone uses on their custom 1-3 wt rods (large loop, std loop, ceramic)?

Thanks,

Russ

I use ceramics (silicon carbide) on all fly rods irrespective of power.
Wire rings groove sooner or later.
With ceramics you will never have to worry about replacing the tip or any other guide.
Eden

Single foot guide wound on and used as tip top. This way I can get them as small as I like.

I have used all three. If ceramic, use the unbraced ones.

If using either wire or single foot wire guides in TiCH with a standard loop matching TiCH top.
If using ceramic ring guides with zirconia ring, the matching unbraced tops.
If using SiC ceramic or alconite ring guides, then match with unbraced tops to match either the SiC or Alconite ring.
Hardalloy ring unbraced tops work fine also to match hardalloy black ceramic ring guides with either black or ticarb frames.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel

Hello Rich or Don,
Could either of you recommend the manufacturer and model of the unbraced ceramic tip tops you mention? I've been using Fuji SIC's in titanium (match up well in appearance to REC Recoils), and it appears from Fuji's site that all of the SIC's are braced.

Thank you,
Jeff Shafer

Jeff,
Unbraced fly tops:
Forecast in the Zirconia ring series such as TiGold LTCLNT tops. These also come in TiCH or blue ring. Also, Forecast black ring hardalloy ceramic BLLT series.
Pacific Bay SiC ring in BMST series.
ATC (American Tackle) in BZTFT (blue ring), HZTFT (holographic ring), GZTFT (gold zirconia ring), SZTFT (silver zirconia ring), HGFT (tichrome frame/black ceramic ring), and HFBT (black/halide ceramic ring).
Hope this helps.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel

What about H&H thin wire loop Tip Tops?
I think they are available in sizes 3.5 and 4, specially designed for light fly rods.

Take a look at the RECoil tip-tops. Super light and super tough. Tip tops take more of a beating than any other guide. While I sometimes use ceramics, I don't think they are the best for light rods. (REC components is a sponsor.)

Gerry