Hey all:
I just joined this forum and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Todd Hirano. I am from Springfield, Oregon and I am a fanatic for chasing steelhead on surface flies. I have started using glass for my surface steelhead fishing this season and I've been having a blast. I was inspired by Randy (Clarkman) after seeing his pictures and postings on another forum.
I have owned a Fenwick FF705 since the late 70's when I lived in HI and had ordered one from Cabelas. I didn't really learn to use it until I moved to OR in 1988. My father in law in Montana later gave me a FF756 in 1989. I began my flyfishing career using these two glass rods in small streams in MT and OR and even used them on the Deschutes. Of course the allure of high tech graphite took over my desire to own the latest and greatest and my two little Fenwicks sat on the sidelines for almost two decades.
Just for a change of place, I decided to use my FF756 for steelhead this summer and got a couple hatchery summer runs on the Willamete and I was surprised at how well this rod handled fishing for steelhead. I started communicating with Randy (Clarkman) and was elightened about the fine qualities of the FF807 and FF857 for steelhead. I found a FF807 on eBay in pristine condition and proceeded to hook a little summer steelhead on my first outing with that rod. I found that a 7wt Wulff Ambush line is just pure magic when combined with the FF807. Single hand spey casting became effortless and I found myself using this combo 95% of the time, with my two handers collecting dust. I managed to hook several more steelhead on surface flies with this setup and continue to be overjoyed with the smooth casting qualities of glass. I recently bought a FF858, SA/Hardy system 8 fly reel, and 8wt Ambush line on eBay and this is also a very sweet combo. Most recently, I purchased a FF857, also on eBay and I have been watching the mail for it's arrival any day now.
I love doing something different than most of my peers who are into Sage and Burkheimer two handers, Skagit heads, intruders, T-14, etc. As I am sure is true for most of you, I don't see other folks out there throwing glass for steelhead. I would love to hear from others who have similar inclinations or interest in chasing steelhead on the surface with glass rods.
The glass road is a fun ride!
Todd