Chimera 3 guide spacing.

[Kevin Copping]

Hi all. I’m considering investing in a pair of these for the occasions when my Chimera 2’s may be found wanting. The factory built 3’s have 10 guides plus tip and this seems(in my opinion) at least one too many. Does anyone have a custom built Chimera 3 that is fitted with fewer guides?. If so, would it be possible to have a measure up and let me know the number and spacings please.
Many thanks. Kev

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I agree entirely Kev far too many guides and to no advantage whatsoever imo.
Just adding additional weight and more points on the rod locking up that blank.

I don’t have chimera 3’s I do have a set of free spirit big rivers 2.25 custom built and I’m looking at possibly getting some torrix 2.25’s built in the future too
For these powerful tools my absolute favorite ring pattern without a doubt is 7 plus Tip. That’s 1x 25mm guide on the butt section and 5 intermediates on the top section down to an 8mm tip ring.

Mark Tunley put this pattern together for me on the first rods he built me and I’ve continued to use it on every barbel rod I’ve had built going forward as they are just such nicer rods To hold and get stuck in with having less guides than the norm expected on barbel rods.
the weight, the action, the balance even the casting capabilities are improved in my opinion over 8,9,10 plus tip ringing patterns.

 

[Bill Walford]

I agree entirely Kev far too many guides and to no advantage whatsoever imo.
Just adding additional weight and more points on the rod locking up that blank.

I don’t have chimera 3’s I do have a set of free spirit big rivers 2.25 custom built and I’m looking at possibly getting some torrix 2.25’s built in the future too
For these powerful tools my absolute favorite ring pattern without a doubt is 7 plus Tip. That’s 1x 25mm guide on the butt section and 5 intermediates on the top section down to an 8mm tip ring.

Mark Tunley put this pattern together for me on the first rods he built me and I’ve continued to use it on every barbel rod I’ve had built going forward as they are just such nicer rods To hold and get stuck in with having less guides than the norm expected on barbel rods.
the weight, the action, the balance even the casting capabilities are improved in my opinion over 8,9,10 plus tip ringing patterns.View attachment 16262

Count again Rich…..

 

[Kevin Copping]

I agree entirely Kev far too many guides and to no advantage whatsoever imo.
Just adding additional weight and more points on the rod locking up that blank.

I don’t have chimera 3’s I do have a set of free spirit big rivers 2.25 custom built and I’m looking at possibly getting some torrix 2.25’s built in the future too
For these powerful tools my absolute favorite ring pattern without a doubt is 7 plus Tip. That’s 1x 25mm guide on the butt section and 5 intermediates on the top section down to an 8mm tip ring.

Mark Tunley put this pattern together for me on the first rods he built me and I’ve continued to use it on every barbel rod I’ve had built going forward as they are just such nicer rods To hold and get stuck in with having less guides than the norm expected on barbel rods.
the weight, the action, the balance even the casting capabilities are improved in my opinion over 8,9,10 plus tip ringing patterns.View attachment 16262

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Count again Rich…..

It was late ive Hit the wrong digit
Still 7 plus tip

 

[Kevin Copping]

Thanks Richard, but do you never sleep. It was partly due to previous posts of yours relating to ringing that made me consider using fewer guides. These rods will be built by a very local builderwith no knowledge of the reduced ringing approach. I’m hoping that someone has a Chimera 3 built by one of the eminent rod builders that use fewer rings, and is prepared to share the number and spacing. This project has really stretched the budget and I don’t want to make a costly mistake. I have contacted a couple of rod builders but not surprisingly they haven’t yet been forthcoming.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Thanks Richard, but do you never sleep. It was partly due to previous posts of yours relating to ringing that made me consider using fewer guides. These rods will be built by a very local builderwith no knowledge of the reduced ringing approach. I’m hoping that someone has a Chimera 3 built by one of the eminent rod builders that use fewer rings, and is prepared to share the number and spacing. This project has really stretched the budget and I don’t want to make a costly mistake. I have contacted a couple of rod builders but not surprisingly they haven’t yet been forthcoming.

@Bob Gill knows more about this subject than anyone. He will of tested every ring pattern possible I’d imagine. My post is more based around a pattern I personally love on those types of rods. My free spirits are similar in action to chimera 3’s but not quite as powerful.
My mate had a double hook up on his chimeras last week giving me an opportunity to play one of his fish and I found the rod to be sensational. His are 8 plus tip with the 30mm ringing pattern. Personally I’d of dropped one off the butt section to make it even lighter but it was a beautiful rod to use all the same.

 

[Joe Winstanley]

I’ve got 8 + tip on my Chimera 3’s and find it perfect. I understand Richard’s point about 7 + 1, and I have that on other rods such as the Torrix 2.5 which don’t have as much action in the butt section as the Chimera 3. Ultimately 7+1 or 8+1 it’s a personal thing. I certainly wouldn’t go above that 8+1 though - just no need.

I’ve got PAC Bay minima guides on mine, thus far my concerns about the rings being too fragile have proved unfounded. They are super light.

I can give you the ringing pattern in more detail when I’m back later if that helps?

Cheers,

Joe

 

[Kevin Copping]

@Bob Gill knows more about this subject than anyone. He will of tested every ring pattern possible I’d imagine. My post is more based around a pattern I personally love on those types of rods. My free spirits are similar in action to chimera 3’s but not quite as powerful.
My mate had a double hook up on his chimeras last week giving me an opportunity to play one of his fish and I found the rod to be sensational. His are 8 plus tip with the 30mm ringing pattern. Personally I’d of dropped one off the butt section to make it even lighter but it was a beautiful rod to use all the same.

Thanks again Richard. Glowing praise of the rods indeed. Dave Lumb has just responded and given me his ringing pattern. Not for the first time Dave has taken the trouble to help me out, top bloke.

 

[Kevin Copping]

I’ve got 8 + tip on my Chimera 3’s and find it perfect. I understand Richard’s point about 7 + 1, and I have that on other rods such as the Torrix 2.5 which don’t have as much action in the butt section as the Chimera 3. Ultimately 7+1 or 8+1 it’s a personal thing. I certainly wouldn’t go above that 8+1 though - just no need.

I’ve got PAC Bay minima guides on mine, thus far my concerns about the rings being too fragile have proved unfounded. They are super light.

I can give you the ringing pattern in more detail when I’m back later if that helps?

Cheers,

Joe

Thanks for your response Joe. I suspect your rods may have come from Dave Lumb who has been kind enough to send me his ringing pattern. These guides are to be Fuji Alconite K’s. Thanks for the offering of measuring for me, much appreciate.

 

[Joe Winstanley]

Thanks for your response Joe. I suspect your rods may have come from Dave Lumb who has been kind enough to send me his ringing pattern. These guides are to be Fuji Alconite K’s. Thanks for the offering of measuring for me, much appreciate.

They were built by Tony Parker, but I’ve had Dave Lumb fit his isoblobs to them. He is super helpful I agree, I’ll be seeing him later today as it goes.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

Thanks for your response Joe. I suspect your rods may have come from Dave Lumb who has been kind enough to send me his ringing pattern. These guides are to be Fuji Alconite K’s. Thanks for the offering of measuring for me, much appreciate.

Those rings are awesome
Immensely strong. I like those particularly in single leg form because again it’s half the whippings removed from hindering the blank and they are a heavy guide in general.
it’s really the only guide I like in single leg form because they are so strong they simply don’t bend unlike a lot of others. For me I want as much weight and restrictions off the blank as possible without compromising line guide or guide strength.

 

[Paul Richardson]

They were built by Tony Parker, but I’ve had Dave Lumb fit his isoblobs to them. He is super helpful I agree, I’ll be seeing him later today as it goes.

I have 2 chimera 3s built by lumby
Have to be honest they are perfect for me in his standard ,” rover ringing” build
But he’ll do whatever you ask
You won’t be disappointed
Dusting mine off in the morning for a week on the Wye - plenty of casting to be sure, remains to be seen if they hoop over

 

[Tim Marks]

Mine (C3’s) were also built by DL. They have 8 rings + tip.

I bought them used so had no say in the ringing, but it works for me. I like having 2 rings on the butt section.

The blanks are excellent, they are powerful but don’t pull hooks out.

 

[Kevin Copping]

Many thanks to all who have made comments and given advice in relation to my original post. Hopefully the rods will be completed in time for a long awaited trip to the upper tidal Trent at the end of the month.

 

[Mark Pevy]

My bob gill built i-power has 10 plus tip,seems ok to me,im only holding it when casting or playing a fish(less frequently these days it seems)dont think a couple of ounces would bother me really,i thought fewer rings just meant it would cost less to make,but im more than likely wrong lol

 

[Joe Winstanley]

Many thanks to all who have made comments and given advice in relation to my original post. Hopefully the rods will be completed in time for a long awaited trip to the upper tidal Trent at the end of the month.

Enjoy your rods Kevin. They are excellent blanks, they come into their own when your playing a big fish, for such a powerful rod the butt section is really forgiving and seems to just bend and bend without locking up.

Are you getting isotopes shrink wrapped and whipped onto the tips? Really useful, practical feature for a custom build rod I reckon.

IMO the rods balance really well with 3500b's and OC 6000/8000's.

 

[Paul Richardson]

Enjoy your rods Kevin. They are excellent blanks, they come into their own when your playing a big fish, for such a powerful rod the butt section is really forgiving and seems to just bend and bend without locking up.

Are you getting isotopes shrink wrapped and whipped onto the tips? Really useful, practical feature for a custom build rod I reckon.

IMO the rods balance really well with 3500b's and OC 6000/8000's

Just loaded mine in the van- buzzing as I put the 6000ocs on start of the season and only their second outing this season and feeling like a kid with a new toy.Everything Joe said but also nice on more modest fish, yet can still punch a loaded 3-4 oz feeder a really good distance
Enjoy

 

[Ady Brayshaw]

Thanks for your response Joe. I suspect your rods may have come from Dave Lumb who has been kind enough to send me his ringing pattern. These guides are to be Fuji Alconite K’s. Thanks for the offering of measuring for me, much appreciate.

I've a pair of C3's from Dave Lumb Kevin. You won't be disappointed. 8 plus the tip ring. His standard build I believe. Also the double legged Fuji alconite k's. The more expensive ring if I remember correctly. The double legged rings I think must give the blank a different feel in comparison to the single legged rings. Quite a powerful tool and no problem launching 6 ounce plus feeders.