Friends:

I have handles now installed on two 3-pc spey rod blanks: 1) a 13' for 8/9 and 2) a 15' for 10/11. Both are Rainshadows. Quarry is king salmon in Alaska. Never built a spey rod, and the last time I used one was over 50 years ago on the River Wye in England. A great big bamboo unwieldy thing that had a pre-teen yank at somewhat of a disadvantage, and seemed about as fun as a root canal at the time. So the novelty of that experience has kinda worn off. The last time I even had a built spey rod in my hands was in a fishing store in London perhaps 10 years ago. Thus I don't have a wealth of spey experience to draw on as I put these blanks together, even if I am more seasoned on other, less niche (for Americans at least), styles. I've had the blanks for some years, but the 'need" to put them together never arose until now. So to my current way of thinking these will be the only two spey rods I will ever build, therefore want to it right the first time.

Three questions arise:

1) Snake guides or single foots?
2) if Single Foots, should I go ceramic?
3) Distance between the reel seat and first stripper guide? On this point the spacing charts always measure form the tip down, but they also give a blank length range that gives a lot of leeway for where the first stripper guide goes. I figure for both rods this will be some variant of a #20 ceramic guide.

Any assistance appreciated, as well as other tips as I move forward to finalize this project!

BTW: One of the reels I plan to use on these rids is an old Hardy Perfect # 3 3/4, which was recently handed down to me and is probably the very one I used as a wide-eyed kid back in the day. Jus' keeping up he family tradition...

Warm regards,

Whit

not sure on all the questions but the first stripper guide should be up the blank farther than you can reach when you are working the rod I think

William Sidney
AK

Yes, the first stripper should be just out of your reach, so that you can strip the line in below it, same as any fly rod.

If you go on to Batson's they have a guide spacing forum that has both spacing for the rods but also recommended guides. Either single foots or snakes will work fine, but if you plan on bush wacking I would go with snakes as single foots get caught up and can either bend or break easier. Also single foots ice up easier if using in the winter. Single foots will allow you to shoot line easier. I wouldn't bother with cermanics other than the 2 stripping guides.

V. Helpful, thanks!