I had planned on buying some good snake guides and using the sage recommendations for the sizes and one guy, Lance, helped me quite a bit and recommended some larger snake guides. I was just wanting some more thoughts on this and maybe Lances thoughts. Sage calls for 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 12 16 I was going to go with the RSNXB Black Pearl RECOIL Double Foot Snake Guides. Any input would be great! Thanks

You certainly don't need all those different sizes. They do nothing for the line path.

If you know you can get by with the 1's (assuming they will easily pass your line and all required connections) just go 16 - 12/10 - 4 - and then 1's the rest of the way out.

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Thanks Tom, he mentioned 16, 12, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 then TT How does that sound to you?

Lonny,
1'sare ridiculous.
Go with the 3's or 2's
Herb

Lonny,
1'sare ridiculous.
Go with the 3's or 2's
Herb

Thanks Herb. I was thinking less drag so I think that's what I'll do. Thanks for your help. I think I'll go with what Lance said on my other post. and I went with the Alps HERA7WL2

if weight is a major concern you have a few options

the guide placement you posted of 16, 12,10, 4 , 3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3,3, & tt is ok but you could trade out the 3 's for 2's and cut the barrel of the tip top down a bit the line flow will be unimpeded, your leader should never come through the tip top if so you leader is to long for your rod .
Then wrap it with either silk or 00 nylon for fly tying it does come in many colors and then use a light build cost finish yes it will soak in and the wraps will look clear but if you have to have color for the raps then do a second coat with a pigment the color of your choice.
I have done this on much lighter rods for freshwater customers and it does reduce the weight by a few grams but nothing spectacular in weight reduction

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Matthew Paul his leader may never go through the guides, but his backing may. Don't forget the junction/knot from the fly line to the backing.

Lonny,
Ever heard anyone say their Sage rod was unfishable because of the guides they use? They been using #1 Hopkins & Halloway guides on certain rods for maybe 15 years or better I know the TCR 8 wts. were that way. Mine has fished just fine all these years. If There is a difference in the actual size of the H & H vs the REC I have no knowlege to give you. Fuji brings the H & H products to the US they may know.

the connection knot to the backing of a fly line always presents a problem see as now the industry has added a loop end to most of the fly lines the connection can be made easily .
with that said this is where personal preference comes in to joining the fly line to the backing.
The albrite knot is a good strong knot but it is a bit bulky as are some of the others again it is your personal choice what knot you use.
what I have done for many years is I use the snell knot to join the fly line to the backing it is a super strong knot and is not bulky and it always has passed through the smaller guides with no problem and never has a fail.
there are thousands of better mouse traps out there you just have to choose which one you choose to use

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

50# butt sections are frequently used on leaders for 8wt. rods. A loop-to-loop leader to line connection with such a leader will be difficult if not impossible to pass through a #1 or #2 guide. I would also test to see how easily a nail knot connecting a 50# or 40# butt leader to your fly line passed through your #1 or #2 guides. Even barrel knots in your leader can be a problem with too-small guides. I speak from sad experience.

I would appreciate comments from the fly experts as to whether using snakes or single foot wire guides changes the size recommendations. I see on a couple charts sizes 3 and 4 for 8 wts.

Thanks Phil. I think I'm going with the 16,12,4, then the rest 3 and lg loop tt. And the RSNXB black pearl recoil snake guides

Michael Danek, I know for the sage 896-4 one, they recommend going up 2 sizes for single foot guides. I'm not sure with their other styles but they have all their guide size and spacing on their website.