Pearow mentioned in another discussion that he likes the sliding rings on a full cork grip. Me too, but I'm not making spinning rods anymore. They are more comfortable to my hand than a fixed seat, and they let reel placement vary according to the reel used. I have no idea--maybe they are as conveniently available as ever for cheap, but in case not, here are two sets of the type common on 'glass spinning rods, as shown in the photo that heads this section. The UL diameter set has the St. Croix logo. If anybody wants them for approximate postage--maybe $3.00--or a handful of size 6 or 8 Wooly worms, message me. I have some of the old Fuji single-foot guides in stray sizes, mostly smaller. Mention if you like those and I'll toss a few in. Have tiptops of that type to throw in also, but mostly smaller sizes that fit some graphite, but not most 'glass.

You're the man for them, pearow. Glad you can make use of them. They are a pretty classic "vintage" styling cue, but to me they are also very savy as a grip/seat design on any spinning rod of any light to midweight. One of the best all around anglers I know gave me a UL spinning rod he made--all because I gave him a shotgun for behind the seat of his truck and told him I wanted nothing in return. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed he didn't use sliding bands, but I have caught a lot of bass and crappie with it. If he hadn't made it specially for me, I'd have changed the grip long ago to use those little St. Croix bands. The rod was junk but the bands are good.

Gathering up the stuff for pearow, I picked up my Herter's UL 'glass, which I built about 1970. Trout, bass, then crappies for many years and one or two guide changes. It spent 35 years with an Alcedo Micron, which I sold a few years ago. Along the way it became my mackerel rod. I didn't break any state laws by rinsing it off after use in salt water, either. Well, you can see the reel seat must have a pretty good quality finish as it is in good shape. The cork was glued up with Herter's powdered Weldwood-type glue, and that is all sound, too. I photoed it to show the other type sliding spinning reel seat I like. I think Phillipson had one similar. For all I know, something similar is still sold. I quick turned down the grip this morning to show the full range of placement you could get with these seats according to the length and contour of the grip. You could mount them either direction on the grip (or even use a press on-off butt cap so you could slide the seat off and turn it around). I like them with the screw-lock ring up under the forefingers. To me, these or simple bands always seemed the best for fly/spin combos as opposed to the multiple seat rigs provided on some of that type. I built up a 6' yellow Fenwick fly-rod blank that way--the one I just took a set of bands off--and used it in the '70s with a Pflueger 1494 and the Alcedo.

Mitchells are notorious for falling off because they purposely made the foot oversized so it would only fit their rods. I filed the foot on my 308 just a little and its now very secure.

Sorry to heart about your vest! I'm horrible about knowing the names for flies, so if I lost my boxes I wouldn't know where to begin to replace everything. As for a good grip on a spinning rod: I too prefer the split-finger grip. It seems like I have the most control and balance that way. But I still have had a reel fall off while changing lures, taking a fish off or mucking with a tangle.