I think if I really couldn't find a big enough fly tiptop--and I bet you can, how big is it?--I'd stick with the spinning rod guide before using a single foot fly guide in it's place. Or, I'd find a more fly-guide looking spinning guide and replace it with that.

magic has more experience than I do, so there you go!

Somebody surely will be able to help you out here. A few years ago Andy Manchester graciously sent me a size 8 tiptop that I thought I needed but I eventually found out it was too big because I poorly measured. Actually needed a 7.

A tip you might find helpful to determine the size is to find a drill bit set that has sizing holes. Probably find any number of sets that will work in a hardware store and they should just let you slide the tip in without having to buy the set. They also probably have a hole template separate you can use. Just remember the sizes of TT's are in 64th so just convert.
Example: a hole diameter of 3/32" = 6/64 = size 6 TT Might have to do a little rounding in some cases but not often.

JEN

Somehow I seem to have a boat load of large, gold colored tip tops. I probably have others as well. Somehow I seem to accumulate large tip tops and they keep getting in my way (until I need one, and then I can't find one).

If you can Mic it, I'm sure someone can help. If you have a good selection of drill bits, you could use them to size the spinning reel tiptop that came on it.

the sizes (4,4.5,5, ... ) are 64ths of an inch. Conveniently drill bits come in those sizes too. You can use the cylindrical end for better fitting, since the drill end is sometime a bit ragged.



Carl

Ive done it...yep it doesn't look real nice but it works.
Go to a pawn shop(they always have micrometers and calipers and measure it or Habor Frieght has like $5 calibers...once you know the size you can find the right size tip top.

Stent....that reminds me.....I went to take the tip top off of some rod I had....can't recall what.. and they had a little piece of metal sticking out of the glass that the tip top was mounted on!!! Sooo, I had a rod that had a tip that was maybe 3/4" short.....and I put a short length of spring wire into tip, then mounted tip top, worked great.

This is a fly rod and I had much rather have a regular fly rod tip top than a spinning or casting rod one. In the drill bit index it slides in perfectly to the 7/64 or .109 slot. Anyone have one that size they would sell me?
Joe

Is this the tip of the rod you're measuring with the drill gauge? If so, then you need a number 7. Shouldn't be too difficult to come by.

BB

If that's what the drill gauge said...7/64ths.

Tip tops go by the first number, like 4 for 4/64ths, etc.

Not to confuse you, there are some sizes in between, like 4.5, or 5.5 but they apply mostly to the smaller tips on graphite rods.

BB