I have purchased a Rainshadow XST1383F blank to build a steelhead rod for my brother, he generally river fishes for late run steelhead in Michigan, which often includes icy conditions. I have built a few rods and experimented with different methods for guide spacing, including the Morton Micro Guide Graph. I am definitely a novice and this being my first steelhead rod I would appreciate guide and spacing comments on the suitability of this method as well as any other recommendations. This is my first post so if it needs tuning up I appreciate any help!

I don't know much about guides but if it is ice on the ground / ROD you don't want small guides , go to rain shadow web site for spacing of the guides stay on the large size for the guides less freeze up for the large guides from what I have worked out here in Alaska you will still get some freeze up but it will effect the lime a lot less with the little larger guides
then normal size

William Sidney
AK

Excellent blank. Are you building a spinning, centerpin, or baitcasting rod? Batson has guide spacing charts for all three configurations, nothing set in stone, but they are a good starting point. No matter what brand or style guide you choose, don't go smaller than 7's, same with the tip. As much as I hate the look of them, Pac-Bay Minima's make sense for sub-zero weather.

I have found that Minima's without the ceramic insert freeze up much worse than insert guides.
I use size 8 single foot guides on my rods that see winter steelhead duty.

I always use Tysg 8s or Alps Tiy 8s. It will only get you a couple of more drifts.

gabriele schieda Wrote:
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> I always use Tysg 8s or Alps Tiy 8s. It will only
> get you a couple of more drifts.


Yep then suck on them to remove the ice-fastest, Usually just the first 2 and start over again. Gotta Love it Jaa

Spinning

Thanks to all for the support, I appreciate all of your comments!

When building rods that are used in freezing weather I never go smaller than size 8 guides and in severe conditions, will not go smaller than size 10 guides. I do agree on the use of the minima or other inexpensive guides.

The guide spacing for a guide is really not dependent on the weather or temperature in which the rod is used. Use your favorite style guide spacing to insure that the loaded line follows the natural curve of the blank and you will be good to go.

By the way, here is a situation, where one might want to use a larger conventional guide wrapped onto the tip of the rod to act as a tip top to insure that the tip hole is large enough to prevent line jamming from ice.

Be safe

Thanks again for your support and guidance!

As people stated in freezing weather go to the larger size not the smaller less trouble with '' ICE " the size you end up with is up to you but no "" MICRO's ""

William Sidney
AK

Is it important to spine a two-piece blank, if so is it done in the same fashion as a one piece?

Thanks,
Mike

Michael,
It is NOT important to spine any blank.

Being a novice, I have read a great deal about this and am somewhat confused, from what I have read, it seems to be fairly evenly split on the importance.However I attended a beginner’s rod building class and the instructor, a 30 years plus rod builder, who does incredibly beautiful work, went to great lengths to demonstrate the proper technique for spinning a blank; although I have yet been able to find any technical data explaining the consequences for disregarding the spine.

Thanks Roger I really appreciate your time & advice,
Mike

Michael,
The general feeling by most rod builders today is to disregard the spine of the blank.

Rather, just build on the straightest axis on the rod. i.e. just sight down the rod and align the reel and guides with the straightest portion of the blank. Many blanks will have a slight hook or bend somewhere in the blank which is perfectly acceptable. Just align the guides on the same axis as this hook or bend.

By the way, due to any slight hook or bend, it is quite often that the spine of the blank will also line up with the straightest axis as well.


The original thought about spining a blank was that if guides were aligned in a direction different from the spine of the rod, that this misdirection would cause a cast to be errant in direction. However, that theory seems to be largely unfounded.

Be safe

Thanks again Roger, this makes sense and helps a great deal!

REC recoil NiTi wire guides are quite flexible and return to their original shape when bent. I believe you could bend Recoil guides to break off the ice more quickly and safely than you can melt the ice in your mouth. You risk contracting Giardiasis [beaver fever] if you put river ice in your mouth. Recoil guides are fly-rod guides, but your spinning line doesn't know it. The top guides always ice up first, so if you used Recoil lightweight guides for the top three guides and secured them with some stout Forhan wraps you might expedite ice removal.

REC recoil NiTi wire guides are quite flexible and return to their original shape when bent. I believe you could bend Recoil guides to break off the ice more quickly and safely than you can melt the ice in your mouth. You risk contracting Giardiasis [beaver fever] if you put river ice in your mouth. Recoil guides are fly-rod guides, but your spinning line doesn't know it. The top guides always ice up first, so if you used Recoil lightweight guides for the top three guides and secured them with some stout Forhan wraps you might expedite ice removal.

You could spray the guides and or rod with Pam That should help to keep ice off May tast better also LOL

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks again for all of the help!