The challenge is to build a 9', 12 weight fly rod. The manufacturer's snake guide size recommendation is 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4, Nothing wrong with those sizes, but I wonder if something similar to 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4 might work as well. My thinking is there are two primary considerations, the first of which is strength, and the other is to accommodate a line to backing connection when a big, strong something takes off for another ocean. My thinking also is that if the line to backing connection will pass through a couple size 1 snakes just before the tip top, it ought to pass through a few more. And as we are contemplating double foot snakes, a size 1 snake's ability to endure stress is only marginally greater than a size 2.

If this were a 9 or lighter weight rod i think there would be no question and I'd use more smaller snakes. But, as I infrequently build for the salt, and have not had occasion to build a 12 weight, i'm wondering if there might be a consideration I've overlooked.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

If you know you can use size 1's, you can remove all the other sizes. This dropping by each subsequent size does nothing for the line path and only adds additional weight. You might go from the stripping guide right to the 4 and then on to 1's the rest of the way.

But do make sure your line and connections will pass easily through a #1. I would worry about such a thing on a 12-weight rod where you might be using Loop to Loop connections at some point.

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Thanks, Tom. You hit on an assumption I was making in the quest to reduce weight. I'll try a couple loop to loop and nail knots to make certain they will pass. Assuming #2s are needed instead of #1s I've still taken some weight out.

I would be really surprised if a 12wt fly line with a knot will pass through a size 1 guide.
Most rods 10wt or higher would use at least a size 3 snake guide as the smallest. Sage SALT uses size 5 guides for example.

I agree with the others, I have #1 Snake Brand guides on my 10 wt. and it's by no means the easiest of my rods to pass connections through.

Thanks everyone.

Just proved to myself that my thinking was going away too small. To borrow a former Fed Chairman's phrase, it was temporary, irrational exuberance in pursuit of weight reduction. Near disaster averted.

I really doubt if the size differences being discussed would be significant with respect to weight. One thing I try to do, regardless of guide design or size, is to keep the knot out of the rod guides altogether. No need for it to be in there, and everything that can happen is bad.