I'd really like to hear from the experienced builders out there about their favorite choice for snake guides. Ive built rods using standard and lite wire snakes in several different finishes and from different manufacturers. In all honesty I don't see much difference in performance but I haven't been doing this long enough to see how they all hold up.
I'd like to know the performance and durability differences between chrome and Tich finishes and if you see a difference between the manufacturers? Is there any resource out there that has tested different guides and shown the results?

I use Snake Brand guides, always ready for immediate installation. Never need straightening, foot filing, and they fit the blank better. I've seen no downside to their use over other guides.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2016 10:13AM by Spencer Phipps.

Andrew,
I alternate between two guides:
1. Snake Brand Universal guides. But I don't like the factory foot prep. I file the feet to very sharp-thin points for my "00" and "000" thread. I know what every one says - including Mike from SB. They are just not good enough.
2. REC Recoil extra heavy wire.
On blanks that weight is not too critical I use the Snake Brand. On blanks that weight is a factor I use the recoils. For instance - my latest build on a 10'0" #8 CTS fly rod for use on the Cape Cod surf the SnakeBrand resulted in mediocre performance. The Recoils resulted in a much more lively performance.
Herb

snake brand is the best, Standard for the round poles an the other stile for the bamboo , it will make a big difference on the tip section as the feet
curve to fit rod [ foot sets on the rod better] but not many coatings the last time I ordered some

William Sidney
AK

Do these recommendations hold equally well for both fresh and salt water use?

Andrew

Long time Snake Brand fan here for fly rods from 6' 3" 2wt to 9' 9 wt and all points in between. Mike has had his guides tested for corrosion resistance by a third party and the results are published on their web site.

The Original Snake Brand snakes must have their feet ground, but I only use them for size 2/0 on lighter rods. Most everything else is the Universal light wire which works for me without feet prep down to size 100 wt YLI silk. Any finer silk and yes the feet will need some prep. But, it's less prep than for other guides.

Thanks for the opinions. I've used snake brand universals most often and I like that the wire is thinner in the smaller sizes. Can anyone say if the TiCH finished from Pac Bay or Alps are more durable or slicker than chrome? And is there a difference between manufacturers like Alps and Pac Bay when it comes to quality?

ALPS XTCHSNGP = SS316 STAINLESS PVD TICH OVER HARD CHROME



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2016 05:11PM by Terje Bendiksby.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 04:36PM by John E Powell.

Repeated mentions of 4/0 and 6/0 wrapping thread and bamboo lead me to believe Snake Brand guides are intended for light-duty freshwater use?

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 04:34PM by John E Powell.

"Can anyone say if the TiCH finished from Pac Bay or Alps are more durable or slicker than chrome?"

i'm interested in this too.

eric
fresno, ca.

The Snake Brand website says only their guides are made of "high quality stainless steel" - which is not particularly informative, especially for builders of fly rods used in salt water. I would much prefer 316ss to 303ss or even 304ss. I wish manufacturers of guides and all fishing tackle components would share objective data pertaining to their products. That would enable rod builders to make better decisions about which components to buy and use.