I am building an SCII 14' 9/10wt spey rod. I am having trouble getting started on guide spacing. The fore and aft grips and seat will take up 24", leaving 12' of rod not covered. How far from the grip should the first stripper be? Any help would be appreciated.

Herb

Guide spacing for spey rods is no different than for any other rod. Generally, what you are using now on your other fly rods will work just as well on your spey or two handed rod.

Measure from the reel center to the stripping guide on a rod you have now that works well. Use the same measurement to get yourself started on the spey rod.

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Many folks consider length + one to be a good starting point for the number of guides on fly rods (i.e 10 guides + tiptop on a 9 ft rod). Most Spey rods have fewer. You might try using 7 @ #4, 2 @ #5, 1 @ #16, 1 @ #20. Start out with the #20 Stripping guide about 128" from the tip and see what you think. If you'd like some more detail on where to start out sned us an e-mail and we'll get you started.

Andy Snedden

Herb,

Just keep thinking that you building a fly rod....the same rules apply.

A couple things to consider when laying out your first stripper guide.

One is ergonomics : Keep that first stripper a comfortable distance to accomodate your personal reach for the strip. This distance can vary with the angler's arm length etc.

Two : Consider the height of the reel as mounted on the seat. The reel for Spey rods can be quite large, this to hold the large diameter lines. The distance of the first stripper should not create too acute of a line angle to the first stripper. Like Tom says, try to keep this distance proportionately similar to what you have done in the past on other rods.

Guide spacing and guide numbers can vary, with final placement largely dependant on the action of these long rods. The Traditional....Moderate to slower action rod will often insist on more guides then will the faster action Euro rods. The StCroix is a moderate action rod, and at 14' I suggest starting your static test process with 14 guides. Test casting your rod with the ability to adjust guide spaceing will dial you in on this.......The rod may be happy with less !

Your spine/guide relationship is really of the most importance for these rods. Again.... Test casting the rod with the guide system placed in various locations on the blank in relation to the bench marked spine can greatly vary it's casting potentials. Choose the final guide system placement simply where it allows the rod to work to it's full potential.

Bob Meiser