Friends:
Im trying to make a list available for all later in some form of all the rod brands which have alignment marks between sections of the rod. I find this feature quite handy, and have somehow found it absent in many a rod in my collection. If you post replies I will tabulate them and offer an abridged list later. Comments are also, of course welcome.
Regards,
Migs
2 of my rods have them; Orvis T3 and the TFO TiCr. My Sage SLT does not. Don’t know what makes the manufacturers decide which rod gets them and which one’s don’t. I really don’t use them because niether rod I have with them line up using the dots, I still look down and line up the guides.
[This message has been edited by quillg (edited 18 February 2005).]
Not near enough of them, I mean how much can it add to productions costs of of a $300-600 rod? It’s a nice finishing touch.
My Orvis T3 has em…and I love that about it.
I have fifteen or sixteen rods, and only four of them Have alignment marks. Two of them are custom made, and the other two are Scott STSs.
Bob Pace
There is a fine line between fly fishing, and standing in the water waving a stick.
Of my 4 rods only one has alignment marks. The problem is that they don’t line up! Well done Orvis!
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”
[This message has been edited by AlanB (edited 17 February 2005).]
Good going guys.
I have a Lefy K. Temple fork outfitters with marks. The LL Bean traveller also has them.
Keep filling in the list.
All the best,
Miguel
What about Winson, Thomas & Thomas, Hexagraph etc?
Regards,
Migs
None on Scott rods or Sage but my TFO has them.
I agree they are a nice touch, but only if they actually line up correctly.
From Warren because he cannot post from work:
Hi, I am Warrenp on FAOL and cannot post to FAOL BB from my work PC and will send you a response by e-mail. Could it be that only the rod makers who take the time to locate the spine of their rods, before attaching the line guides, put the alignment dots on their rods?? I think this would be interesting to find out. Just my thoughts.
Warren Patterson
Friend of FAOL
Tullahoma, Tennessee
My Scott G series 7’7" 3-piece 4WT has witness marks. Eleven other various Sage, W/M, Fenwick, Diamondglass, LaFontaine and Phillipson do not.
Will
I have a TFO and Cabela’s Stowaway 7 piece with alignment marks. I’ve also noticed that the new Orvis Frequent Flyer 7 piece rods have them as well. (Suspiciously similar to the Stowaway)
dw
‘Don’t know, what you don’t know.’
I have more than 2 dozen rods from Sage, Winston, Powell, Fisher, Orvis, St. Croix, and Redington and none have alignment marks from the factory. Its easy to add them though.
Winston does not have them.
Derrick
all of mine have them, I look down the rod and line up all the little circles that appear in my view. Adjust each section until all circles are concentric 
RRhyne56
[url=http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com:8f4f7]http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com[/url:8f4f7]
IM = robinrhyne@hotmail.com
I think the only reason that all manufacturers don’t put alignments marks on their rods is esthetics. Not all customers want to see marks on their rod and the others can easily add them. All it takes is a dot of paint or if you want a stealth look, little bumps of clear epoxy.
Joe
All of my Scott S3 and S3s rods have them.
It’s been my experience with “most” of the upper end name brands, that if you order a rod through an authorized dealer and request the service, the factory will for a small charge apply alignment dots and /or your name.
It just depends how much time and money you’re willing to invest into the process.
Those of mine that did not come with alignment dots, have had them applied after the fact, it’s really not that hard to do.
Dave
[This message has been edited by Dave E (edited 17 February 2005).]
I’ve been using a metalic silver Sharpie to make my alignment dots. Quick and waterproof.
To all the friends that reply that adding marks is quite easily done personally, I would like to say that if you have seen it done by the manufacturer (such as the LL Bean or TFO rods) it makes quite a difference in both the esthetic appeal, and the peace of mind that it was accurately set down. Bearing no disrespect, but taking a marker to a $600 rod just doesn’t seem right, does it?
Miguel
Migs, By the same token I know someone that said “they better not put any dots on my $600 rod.” He prefered the rrhyne56 method, which is the same one I use. To each his own. And, as Dave said, you can request them when ordering. That way it’s your choice, not one imposed on you whether or not you want it.
Joe
I’m with Robin on this one. Those little metal thingies sure are easier to see than itty bitty paint spots. But if you need to know, there are paint dots on my Sage SP and little dimples on the ferrule of my Hexagraph.
Dennis