Hi Everyone,

The responses to my earlier post has been great and I thank each and everyone for their input. Your insights are greatly appreciated.

My question is that for my Sage 9 foot 4 weight XP the tip size is 3.5 but it seems from my initial research that Fuji doesn't make this size in their Alconite line (I'm leaning towards Alconite or SIC). They do however make a size 4 top. Can you use a half size larger on a top?

Fuji does apparently make an SIC top in size 3.5 and so I'm wondering if it's okay to mix Alconite guides with an SIC top. I'm assuming it's fine.

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Cheers,
Preston

Dear Preston: As for the Alconite, I do not know. However, Fuji does have a WLST in 3.5. I believe this guide is discontinued, but you can get one from Clemens. The WLST is a gunsmoke sic with flanges that support the blank approximately 3/8-1/2 inch behind the end of the tube. You simply wrap over the flanges where you would normally do a tiptop wrap. They give more support to the tip. I know they are still available in 3.5 but the other sizes are iffy originally they went all the way up to 8.0 This is a very light top, and I prefer SIC in the tiptop because of all the line wear. Totally your call.

Preston,

Go ahead and use the size 4.0 tip. You can always wrap the tip with 00 thread for a build up. The Alconite tip is perfect for you to use. Some like to use a SIC tip on many of the rods they build even when using less expensive guides for the remainder of the rod. I think for a 4 wt rod that the Alconite tip is perfect. The alconite guides are almost as hard as the SIC material with the benifit of a less expensive cost and thinner ring profile.

You make the call,

Bruce Young
Landing Gear