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Doc S
Post 13 May 2021, 21:07 • #1 
New Member
Joined: 10/06/20
Posts: 5
Save me some trial and error here.... What is everyone's "go to" modern line(brand, model, weight) with their FF 70. Lovin' mine, but not 100% sold I have tried the right line yet. Thanks and be well!
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SouthernRivers
Post 13 May 2021, 21:24 • #2 
Guide
Joined: 02/23/11
Posts: 240
Location: Tulsa, OK
I like a 406 DT5 on my FF70.
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BlahBlahBlahHuhh
Post 13 May 2021, 21:37 • #3 
Sport
Joined: 01/11/21
Posts: 76
Location: NY (upstate/downstate)
I've also been using a 406 DT, usually in a 6wt, sometimes a 5wt.
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spielerman
Post 17 May 2021, 14:23 • #4 
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Joined: 02/18/19
Posts: 157
Location: US-ID
Any double taper 5wt has worked well on this rod for me, no issues. Also 5wt long belly lines are not an issue either. The rod is pretty mellow and agreeable to lines.

It comes down for me where and what kind of fishing I'm doing, letting the anticipated location and conditions determine the line choice. My FF70 could not handle a 6wt with my casting style/preference.
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Trev
Post 17 May 2021, 15:43 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/06/17
Posts: 2511
Location: South of Joplin
I don't have 70 but on the Fenwicks I do have any DTxF works fine, mine are currently all 444Peach I think.
But these old relics are not line fussy at all, I've switched from level to WF to Bass to full sink to DT and up two weights to down a weight or two and the silly rods just worked. Your personal stroke and style will make some difference, so will the flies you cast and the distance you fish.
Start with the line you own that is near the rating (5-6) in DT or WF and by that I mean the actual weight/mass of the line, don't expect an over weighted or super aggressive (so called modern) head to be pleasant.
Personally with Fenwicks FF75, 80, 85 I find them all liking the lower line weight best, but capable with lighter and heavier lines if I adjust me.
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Lunker75
Post 17 May 2021, 15:51 • #6 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/20/12
Posts: 984
Location: Eugene, OR
Basic DT5: SA AirCel, Cortland 333 Classic yellow or 333+ gecko green. Hard to go wrong with a peach DT, either.
[not recommending based on color, just including those details for disambiguation.]
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CrustyBugger
Post 19 May 2021, 06:08 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/25/08
Posts: 1526
Location: Delton, MI
Most any DT or WF 6F will do just fine. This one is not a fussy taper, one of the reasons it is a classic. Will it cast a 5? Sure, graphite lovers will love it with a 5, but with a 6, it becomes an EXTREMELY versatile rod with lots of feel without sacrificing delicacy. It’s one of the best small stream rods ever made in any material.
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Blackhoof
Post 19 May 2021, 07:09 • #8 
New Member
Joined: 01/25/12
Posts: 2
Location: US-IL
The FF70 is my most fished fly rod. I have two FF70s. The D model is marked for 6, while the F model is marked 5-6. I use a Hook & Hackle DT6 on both rods. I agree with CrustyBugger.
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swamp
Post 19 May 2021, 07:41 • #9 
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Joined: 02/26/15
Posts: 219
Location: US-north ga.
I also agree with crustybugger.
Especially the last sentence.
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spielerman
Post 19 May 2021, 17:10 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 02/18/19
Posts: 157
Location: US-ID
My FF70 is only marked as a AFTMA No. 5, E serial number.

So be sure to follow what works best for you.

Not a graphite lover and my rod collapses with a 6. It can be fished with a 6, but not as effectively.
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CrustyBugger
Post 19 May 2021, 21:04 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/25/08
Posts: 1526
Location: Delton, MI
Spielerman said “My FF70 is only marked as a AFTMA No. 5”

That’s very cool! Please take a picture of the line weight rating on your rod for us all to see. I can’t recall ever having seen one marked as a 5wt only! Mine is a D model and not labeled with a line rating at all but is very much a 6 though it will cast a 5 just fine. Thanks much!
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paveglass
Post 19 May 2021, 22:02 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/09/05
Posts: 2525
Location: US-CO
My FF-70 is a G-series and is rated as a 5-6 line weight at 3 oz. A terrific rod!

Many years ago (1972) when I lost my first real flyrod (an FF-79) off the back of my motorcycle...I replaced it with an FF-70 (they cost $30 then). Those two are still my favorite Fenwicks.

Like others I find that it is not too picky when it comes to lines. I tend to fish it with a 6 wt normally, but a 5 will certainly work well, especially if you get a little line out. The 6 wt line I use is an old Cabelas Prestige Plus (true to weight).

Regarding line weights...on a disappointing note, I did see that the latest Cabelas fly fishing catalog says their lines are upweighted...ugh.


Last edited by paveglass on 20 May 2021, 13:52, edited 1 time in total.

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spielerman
Post 20 May 2021, 09:12 • #13 
Guide
Joined: 02/18/19
Posts: 157
Location: US-ID
CrustyBugger wrote:
Spielerman said “My FF70 is only marked as a AFTMA No. 5”

That’s very cool! Please take a picture of the line weight rating on your rod for us all to see. I can’t recall ever having seen one marked as a 5wt only! Mine is a D model and not labeled with a line rating at all but is very much a 6 though it will cast a 5 just fine. Thanks much!


Hi Everyone,
This is a rod I picked up about 2 years ago for $40 (no sock or tube, and thread wraps a little dry and still dry). The cork grip was in excellent shape for its age.
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CrustyBugger
Post 20 May 2021, 09:51 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/25/08
Posts: 1526
Location: Delton, MI
Very nice. I wonder if it casts a 5 any better than other FF70’s do. My hunch is they were later labeled as 5/6’s because it handles 5’s ok but favored as a 6 by many.
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Lunker75
Post 20 May 2021, 10:32 • #15 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/20/12
Posts: 984
Location: Eugene, OR
Virtually all of the E-serialed Fenwicks are marked for a single line weight. It is psychologically reassuring, but past that I do not know.
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