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Post 07 Dec 2020, 14:03 • #1 
Guide
Joined: 02/04/14
Posts: 181
Location: US-MA
Hello,

I’m look for advice on a general purpose 6-7 wt or 7-8wt with versatility. 8” or 8’6”preferably. Small boat fishing, trout in open, windy lakes, and some bass and light salt as well. Used but available rods ideally.

Thanks!


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Post 07 Dec 2020, 14:18 • #2 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/20/12
Posts: 980
Location: Eugene, OR
For some reason when I read your post I thought of Shakespeare ugly stik. They are not that common at all on the secondary market, but they made some ugly stik fly rods — heavier weights in longer lengths, if I recall correctly.


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Post 07 Dec 2020, 14:22 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/16/05
Posts: 2537
Location: Georgia
That’s going to be a long list. At 8’, I’m happy with my FF807 and a rebuild on a Fullflex (Phillipson) blank. Both are good with a 7wt; the Fenwick’s more ready for an 8, and the Phillipson’s nice with a 6 too, but really anything that’s good with a 7 is going to be a good, versatile rod. At 8’6”, I don’t have much, but my (early, lighter) FF85 is labeled 6/7, and that’s correct; haven’t tried it with an 8.

I’m probably forgetting something, but that length/weight isn’t really a focus of my fishing, but these meet it well when needed. (All fresh water, BTW).


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Post 07 Dec 2020, 15:20 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 12/27/08
Posts: 936
Location: Columbia, Mo. USA
Go to the next forum "Collecting Fiberglass Fly Rods" than to " Blue Collar Glass. The other rods" or just click on : viewtopic.php?f=3&t=70743
there are some good rod suggestion there.


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Post 07 Dec 2020, 16:23 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/24/11
Posts: 1144
Location: Belgium
Look for a Hardy Fibalite Perfection 8'6" 6wt. The brown one is a good 6/7 and is very strong. The 8'9" 7Wt is a real beast and is a 7/8.

The Fenwicks are a little less powerful so I would choose between the ff857 and ff858.


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Post 07 Dec 2020, 17:04 • #6 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/05/05
Posts: 742
Location: US-VA
My 9' 8 wt. Fenwick (about 1978) is the hardest throwing rod I've ever used. The only rod I ever cast that had such authority was a Morris Kushner bamboo. If you want an 8, I'd look for one.

If you want a rod that will handle several line weights, my 8ft Orvis Fullflex rated 8 wt. for would fill the bill. (Phillipson Fullflex)


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Post 08 Dec 2020, 11:57 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 01/26/07
Posts: 1385
Location: Ada, Oklahoma
Another very good rod to look for is a Browning Silaflex 322980 in 6/7 weight. It is a light but powerful rod, very smooth casting.

Larry


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Post 08 Dec 2020, 13:24 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
There are a ton. But the FF85 (could be a 6/7 or a 7/8 or a 7/8/9) is a good rod.
The FF858 is a great 8wt.

But there are great Lamiglass s-glass rods and to be honest. there were a ton or 7/8wt 8'6" rods produced Wonderrod, conolon, lamiglass, fenwick, cortland, fisher, phillipson, ....

For heavy wind, I would go with a bit faster action so Lamiglass, Fenwick, Fisher would be my picks.
If you don't mind a bit heavier rod, an early (eponite) phillipson or Wonderod would be great too.


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Post 08 Dec 2020, 14:19 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/18/12
Posts: 1712
Location: Bozeman, MT
Fenwick


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Post 08 Dec 2020, 15:38 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
Several of the usual suspects have already been rounded up above.

Lots of good discussion of seven weights here and the links within: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=69025&hilit=yellow+Fenwick

I'll mention the 8'6 Sceptre, a versatile powerhouse in the same vein as the Fibalite mentioned earlier. Neither would be the easiest to come by, but it's a long winter to look.

We are seeing a few contemporary makers with strong 6-7s, or what I often call river rods, so search here for those as well.


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Post 08 Dec 2020, 15:40 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/06/17
Posts: 2498
Location: South of Joplin
I can't speak to modern 'glass, because all mine are like myself "vintage", I'm sure there are some fine tools out there.
When I read the OP yesterday, my first thought was Fenwick FF85, not because they are exceptional imo but because they are good and there seem to a lot of them out there, and it fits the 8.5' preference. By far the best Fenwick in that weight range is (again imo) the FF80 7-8 (I consider this exceptional)
In my experience with 'glass rods, and generally speaking, I've found that to me 7.5'=7wt, 8'=8wt, 8.5'=9wt or above, 9'=too dang heavy in hand.
In the 8' 7-8 wt I think almost any vintage 'glass rod will be satisfactory, I've never found one that didn't work.
In 8 1/2' 7wt rods my choice is Cortland's FR2000.


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Post 08 Dec 2020, 17:54 • #12 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/12/18
Posts: 457
You can pick up a Fenwick in that range for a budget price and I bet you'll be impressed... I really enjoy the FF79 and FF85.


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Post 09 Dec 2020, 12:54 • #13 
Guide
Joined: 02/04/14
Posts: 181
Location: US-MA
I ended up buying a FF85 with the 7-8–9 rating, along with the FF756. I will continue to look for a 807. I’m sort of hoping I will like the 756 with a 7 wt for bass and trout streamers.

Here’s the think, in all likelihood I will adapt to the big rod and if I don’t it still will have uses (small boat fishing for false albacore).


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