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Post 04 Nov 2019, 11:19 • #1 
New Member
Joined: 02/21/19
Posts: 23
Location: US-VA
Looking for a glass 4 weight for small dries/ nymphs for Eastern brookies. Have a Steffen 2-3 wt in 7’3” and a Bob Hallowell 8’1” 5 wt, on a MacFarland blank and want to split the difference.

Thinking of:
Steffen 8’ 3/4 weight
MacFarland 7’9” 4 wt Spruce Creek
********* 7’6” 4 wt

Thoughts between any of those choices ( or any other)?


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 12:13 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/16/08
Posts: 3540
Location: Upstate-NY
of the 3 listed, I would select the McF for it's refined delicateness, considering it is meant for eastern brookies.
(to be fair, I've only handled the Steffen and McF in your list. Never have handled a *********....)

also:
1. you may consider adding a James Green rod to your evaluation. Ive heard great things about them for this type of fishing.
2. I don't know what Bob Hallowell is working on these days, but he is another to consider. He is relatively new to the custom-taper design game, but is a very skilled and knowledgeable fisherman, and his enthusiasm for rod design is unbridled.
3. If you follow this forum at all, you know that Chris Barclay is a small stream brookie NUT. So, a strong consideration goes out to his tapers.


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 12:22 • #3 
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Joined: 02/06/16
Posts: 328
Location: US
As an alternative, perhaps the Kabuto 8033, with a true 4wt line?


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 12:46 • #4 
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Joined: 10/18/12
Posts: 1712
Location: Bozeman, MT
Look to Larry Kenny as well. His 7'9" 4wt. is killer.


Last edited by Hellmtflies on 05 Nov 2019, 12:10, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 04 Nov 2019, 13:09 • #5 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/27/18
Posts: 375
Location: Probably at a Diner in Eastern PA
I have the Steffen 8' 3/4
I fish east coast brookies, browns, Rainbows with it.
no brainer with dries and nymphs.
If you are trying to throw rigs with bobbers forget it (for any of these).
I have landed 20" bows on it and 16" wild browns and brookies.

Highly recommended


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 14:00 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 06/28/18
Posts: 338
Location: Bozeman, MT
Any of the rods mentioned will fit in nice...I've got a Barclay General Practicioner, 7'9", 3 piece that is a weapon with a DT4 line.


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 16:10 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/14/06
Posts: 1227
Location: Panther City, Texas
I'd add the Kabuto 7'6 4 wt to the list. IMO Kab's 7'6 models, the 4 and 5 wts., are the best of the bunch and that's saying a lot. I have the 765 which is very similar to the 4 and I've really enjoyed it. A standout rod.


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 16:36 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/25/08
Posts: 1526
Location: Delton, MI
There are a number of Steffen 7’9”3/4 wts out there. Fantastic rods, they are. I can’t decide between my 7’9” and 8’0” 3/4 so I’ve kept both. I’ll let my grandkids fight over them.


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 18:06 • #9 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/27/18
Posts: 375
Location: Probably at a Diner in Eastern PA
CrustyBugger wrote:
There are a number of Steffen 7’9”3/4 wts out there. Fantastic rods, they are. I can’t decide between my 7’9” and 8’0” 3/4 so I’ve kept both. I’ll let my grandkids fight over them.


add this to the mix.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=67040#p357148


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 18:15 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 08/14/16
Posts: 158
Location: Berkeley County, SC
I'm very fond of my 7'6" 4 weight Axisco Airrite Stream. Before my time here their 3 weights got a lot of praise, but I'm quite happy with my 4 weight. I originally got it for coastal cutthroat, and it performed admirably. You can paint a tiny dry on the water if you want, but most of the time I'm fishing a bushy number 10-14 for cutts (or brookies.) When that doesn't work, it will also handle appropriate sized streamer very well. On top of being a great fishing tool, these Axiscos are well priced below the quality of their finish (especially as production rods.)


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 20:03 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
Lamiglas 7.5' 4wt!


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 20:23 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/06/15
Posts: 1249
Location: Central Oregon
I'm learning to cast right handed, after 64 years of using the left. The Steffen 8' 3/4 is the one rod I can't make a bad cast with.


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 21:03 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/27/18
Posts: 375
Location: Probably at a Diner in Eastern PA
I know it’s heretical to mention here but the Sage 389LL
Is an amazing rod for Brookies on the dry.


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Post 04 Nov 2019, 21:27 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
Quote - Have a Steffen 2-3 wt in 7’3”

No experience on Eastern Brookie fishing, but I would have guessed you were rocking with this baby!


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Post 05 Nov 2019, 04:54 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/10/09
Posts: 1651
Location: US-OH
EinPA wrote:
I know it’s heretical to mention here but the Sage 389LL
Is an amazing rod for Brookies on the dry.

A couple other excellent non-glass rods that fall into your range. Sage Circa 7'9" 4wt and Scott 7'7" 4wt G2. Full flexing and lighter in hand but with more power than most glass rods. Both can be picked up used for around $400 more or less.

You should decide what kind of action you want in this rod. If you prefer a bit faster action, the Steffen 8' 4/5 wt would be slightly faster than the Steffen 8' 3/4. And the 7'9" Steffen 3/4 is also slightly faster than the 8' 3/4. The Epic 8' 4wt is an outstanding and unique rod in this category. It's more full flexing than the Steffens but still has good power. Larry Kenney's 7'9" 4wt is another sweet rod - a bit slower action e-glass and one of the best. Good luck in your search!


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Post 05 Nov 2019, 05:27 • #16 
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Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2086
Location: US-PA
Maybe it's me, but when I fish for "brookies" in PA they are usually found on smaller rhododendron or multiflora rose lined streams. Out of your current line-up, your Steffen 7'3" with a 3wt line would be my choice for that kind of fishing.

However if you just want a 7'6"-8'0" rod in a 4wt because it's Tuesday, there are lots of good choices out there depending on your action preference.


Last edited by Bamboozle on 06 Nov 2019, 09:43, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 05 Nov 2019, 19:54 • #17 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/21/12
Posts: 462
Location: US-NY
Kenney 7'9 4wt


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 00:01 • #18 
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Joined: 06/09/05
Posts: 2069
Location: Monroe, WA
For that area I’d probably lean toward my 7’9” Steffen 3/4 or my 4wt Fenwick (Tiemco) Continental Tourer for dry-dropper rigs; but for small dries I’d take my Barclay 64p. :)


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 09:31 • #19 
New Member
Joined: 02/21/19
Posts: 23
Location: US-VA
Heard good things about Larry Kenny, but he won’t do a DL reel seat, which is a deal breaker for me


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 09:35 • #20 
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Joined: 02/21/19
Posts: 23
Location: US-VA
jhuskey wrote:
Quote - Have a Steffen 2-3 wt in 7’3”

No experience on Eastern Brookie fishing, but I would have guessed you were rocking with this baby!


It is an awesome rod, that really outpunches for its size.


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 09:40 • #21 
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Joined: 02/10/07
Posts: 1632
Location: The Netherlands
There are simply too many wonderful rods in this length! :)


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 17:38 • #22 
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Joined: 12/31/15
Posts: 1238
Location: Northern Rockies
Agreed.

If I were in the market for a new 4-weight, I would talk to Dusty at ********* Rod Company. For what you are describing, either his 7'6" or 8'0" 4-weight should work very well. I'd reach out to him and see what he recommends.

I fish his 8'6" 4-weight out west, and I'm a huge fan of that rod. Plus, his 8'0" 5-weight is one of the smoothest rods I've ever cast and a blast to fish. I'm sure it downsizes to a 4-weight, in either length, really well.

Plus, he can give you a downlinking seat, if that's what you want.


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 20:11 • #23 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/21/12
Posts: 462
Location: US-NY
The kenney comes with a downlocking slide band with cork no?


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 20:16 • #24 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/02/16
Posts: 515
Location: Georgia
The Steffen 3/4 is pretty buttery with a size 12-14 stimulator or royal wulff for the dry and a 14-18 tungsten head nymph dropper.

Although I have to admit I've been envious of the Steffen 2/3 or something a little lighter than the 3/4 when fishing dry flies on smaller brookie streams. The 3/4 is much closer to a 4 in my onion.


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Post 06 Nov 2019, 20:44 • #25 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/27/11
Posts: 387
Location: US-OH
CTS makes, I believe, a 764 and an 804 blank. All their blanks seem to get good reviews. Color choices are numerous too.


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