Recoil: shape memory fly rod guides

1968: REC, the maker of Recoil guides, is founded
Connecticut: Made in Stafford Springs, USA
Nickel titanium: Shape memory alloy, no ceramic

The story of the brand

From Vermont to Connecticut, the REC story

The Recoil story starts with REC, a company founded in 1968 in Vermont. In 1997, the holding company EdgeWater International acquired the brand. It refocused REC on designing and making rod components and rod cases. Since then, REC has been owned by the family of Linda and Alan Gnann.

The new company first set up in Enfield, Connecticut. In 2004, it bought a 25,000 square foot building nearby in Stafford Springs, housing the factory and offices. Recoil guides are produced there from a patented nickel titanium alloy that needs no ceramic.

Today REC offers this frame in several families. Cerecoil adds a zirconia insert, and Recoil Ice is built to stay flexible in severe cold. The Recoil range remains focused on fly fishing, with sizes from 2 weight to 12 weight. In 2013, REC also took over the English fly box maker Richard Wheatley.

Our Recoil articles

Key dates

1968 REC is founded in Vermont
1997 REC acquired and refocused on rod components
2004 Factory moves to Stafford Springs, Connecticut

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Who makes Recoil guides?

Recoil guides are made by REC Components, an American company founded in 1968 in Vermont. Since 1997, REC has been owned by the family of Linda and Alan Gnann, through the holding company EdgeWater International. Production has been based in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, since 2004. REC also makes reel seats and rod tubes there.

What is the shape memory alloy used in Recoil guides?

Recoil uses an alloy of nickel and titanium that is both very hard and flexible. When the guide is bent, it returns to its original shape, even after repeated deformation. The alloy needs neither plating nor a ceramic insert, and it does not corrode. REC protects this frame with a patent.

What kind of fishing does Recoil design its guides for?

Recoil designs its guides first for fly fishing. The range includes snake guides, single foot guides, stripping guides and tip tops, for rods from 2 weight to 12 weight. REC also makes spinning guides with the same frame. The Recoil Ice version is designed for rods used in severe cold.

Recoil, the nickel titanium guides by REC

Recoil is the guide range of REC Components, an American maker of fishing rod components. REC designs and builds these guides in its factory in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. The range is aimed first at fly fishing. It includes snake guides, single foot guides, double foot stripping guides and tip tops. Sizes cover fly rods from 2 weight to 12 weight. The guides come singly and in packs for a complete rod. In the same factory, REC also makes reel seats and rod tubes.

A shape memory alloy

The Recoil approach comes down to one material. The guides are made from a nickel titanium alloy, a metal that is very hard yet flexible. After it is bent, the guide returns to its original shape. A guide crushed in a rod tube or under a car door springs back instead of breaking. The alloy needs no plating and no ceramic insert. It resists line wear on its own and does not corrode, in fresh water or at sea.

Patented nickel titanium frame, with no ceramic.
Returns to its first shape after a knock or a bend.
Natural titanium or Black Pearl PVD finish, a black vacuum coating.
Snake, single foot, stripping and tip top models.

This choice gives light guides with no insert that could crack or come loose. For a fly rod builder, it mostly means a guide that survives travel accidents.

Related collections

Recoil guides Recoil tip top guides

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Recoil: rod guides and tip tops in nickel titanium