? for Windknot

[GonetoSeed]

Don - I'm curious about you next project we discussed down on Ole Big Muddy. Did you decide on the H&H standoff guides? If so have you ordered them (and from where) and what are your impressions?

I'm going to start on a Rainshadow 6'6" 2 (3) wt. I'm thinking about the standoffs as a way to get light SF guides, but avoid the line slap on the blank that I get with traditional SF wires. I think it would help "shootability" in tight quarters. What do you think?

[Windknot]

I think they would fit your plan very nicely, both weight- and castability-wise.

I got sidetracked, Steve, but I have a set already I intended to use on a replacement tip section for my Blue Ridge Rod 6' 2/3wt. The urgency to finish the new section after breaking 2" off the tip was diminished by the fact that the rod still casts just fine! My intention was to do a comparison between the Fuji Alconite (on the 5' 10" tip) and the DLC's, but I just haven't gotten around to it.

The guides I bought were Hopkins & Holloway imports from Anglers' Workshop (http://www.anglersworkshop.com/ (http://www.anglersworkshop.com/)) and they were the Diamond-Like Carbide finish (black) and relatively expensive (like SIC guides). The wire making up the post is tight - almost as if it was soldered together. The choices were straight hard chrome, a Ti coating, and DLC. H&H also makes double footed guides.

[By standoff guides, Steve means they are simple, single-footed wire loops, but the loop height is comparable to Fuji single-foots. Supposed to minimize line slap on the blank.]

For the 3wt project, I'm leaning towards the Dan Craft FT903-? and I may in fact use the H&H DLC's on that one.

My priorities changed when I won a St. Croix LU 905-5 at the Spring Fling. :D I love the rod, but I can barely control it with the nice, smooth factory grip. I will buy a new butt section (in blank form) for $30 and build my own grip to make it more secure in my hand. I've been walking around for three weeks with a note in my pocket to remind myself to get some PVC to make a mailer for the rod tube (they have to have the fourth section to test-mate the new butt), but I am either pushed for time or getting lazy. This one will be burl (again! I like burl) and I'm leaning towards an REC NS w/buckeye burl seat. I've got to do this one first - the rod is a joy to cast short or long, and I want to fish it as much as I can.

[GonetoSeed]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to rely on your suggestion and use the standoffs in DLC. Your're right. They are relatively expensive. So, if it doesn't work out I'm going to hold you responsible :) Don't worry. I'm a cheap buy-off. A cold beer and directions to some of your bluegill honey holes will make up for any "disappointment" :)

Keep me up to date on the Dan Craft FT 3wt. I need another 3 wt :) Plus, I'm curious about the FT series. I'm thinking it may be the 6wt blank I would use to set up a Shoalie/light SW rod: slender full wells (with a lot of burl), AL seat with fighting butt and SIC guides.

[Windknot]

Argh! Their British sense of humor is responsible for their unique sizing! I'll see if I still have the spec sheet when I get home; plus, the hardcopy catalog had some reference to loop size or height that related to their 6 - 1 sizes. Anyhoo, I guesstimated it fairly well, and the guides I received were reasonably good fits.


I'll mount the DLCs on that replacement tip as a warm-up to wrapping the new 3wt. May have to try something fancier than simple trim rings this time!

[Windknot]

I FINALLY dug out the rod building suppy box. Sorry it took so long.

Comparing H&H to Fuji sizes looks somewhat like:

H&H 6 = Fuji 11 (>10, <12)
down to
H&H 1 = Fuji 6

And boy, do these larger H&H guides qualify as "Bigfoot!" That may be a good thing, as I find dressing the feet to be a delicate & difficult task for my stubby fingers. I've got LOTS of room to goof up!
Don

[GonetoSeed]

Thanks Don. Out of curiousity, what's the sizing you are going to use (in H&H sizings0 for the 3wt? Are you thinking about using one of the H&H stand-offs as the "stripper"?

btw, foot prepping is by far my least favorite step in building.

[Windknot]

Probably a 12 stripper to the H&H 6 SF with a rapid drop to H&H 1.

The 3wt has been shelved until I get the new butt section on the L/U 905-5 completed. The bursar of Windknot's Institute of Sports Spending fails to understand my priorities!
Don