Building my 1st fly rod, have a question regarding underwraps. I would like to use an underwrap on each guide for decorative purposes. The rod is an 8 wt, will using the additional thread effect the sensitivity or feel of the rod.

Thanks for any thoughts.

John

Yes

I did not think I would see that
I Would say NO It is a fly rod and I would not ever think of underwraps

Bill - willierods.com

Although the additional weight is slight, most fly rods are light enough that even that slight bit of additional thread and finish will be enough to make a difference you can actually feel when using the rod. At the maximum, I would suggest using false underwraps and narrow trims on the ends of the wraps. This is still going to add weight, but not as much as if you used full underwraps.

If you want to discover how little weight is necessary to affect the "speed" of the rod, hold your fly blank by the butt end and wiggle it around. Now simply mount a tiptop to it and do the same wiggle test. Most likely you'll be able to notice how the reaction and recovery time has been affected.

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Additional weight is evil on a fly rod, especially on the upper sections !

That was easy, no underwraps, thanks for the consensus.

John