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Post 25 Jun 2021, 11:35 • #1 
Sport
Joined: 11/16/20
Posts: 73
I fish in a couple places that have trout over 20" and normally would use a 7.5 - 8 ft rod there (FF756, FF806, FF807).

I just picked up an 856 and it's my first 8.5' rod and would like to hear what you guys think of it and what you use it for. I really like my 806 with its cork reel seat and the 756 is probably my favorite of all my fiberglass rods............although I do have an early FF75 on the way. :)


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Post 25 Jun 2021, 13:00 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/25/16
Posts: 1069
Location: Rocky Mountains - Colorado
I have never owned an FF856, so now that is out of the way. I am a huge fan of the FF86, that is the previous model 8 1/2 ft 6wgt rod from Fenwick. I will tell you that it is my favorite Fenwick rod and that it has all the smoothness and accuracy of the FF79 with just a touch more power and reach. The FF86 is a great dry fly rod and with enough muscle to throw wooleys and other heavier flys too. I could very easily keep the FF86 as my only Fenwick and aside from the very small stream work it would be fine.


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Post 25 Jun 2021, 13:17 • #3 
Sport
Joined: 11/16/20
Posts: 73
Great info. Where I'd fish this I'd be throwing all 3 of them - buggers, nymphs and dries and often into a stiff breeze.


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Post 25 Jun 2021, 14:19 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/25/16
Posts: 1069
Location: Rocky Mountains - Colorado
If its anything like my FF86 you are gonna love it...is this the one that was on the auction site...there was one that sold recently with the sock and tube, looked like a very nice rod?


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Post 25 Jun 2021, 17:47 • #5 
Sport
Joined: 11/16/20
Posts: 73
Won it off the site yesterday and it came with a Martin reel. I made what I thought was a low offer and they took it. No tube but I have an old 8.5' Fenwick aluminum tube laying around here

I've wanted to try an 8.5 Fenwick and this one being a 6wt got my attention.


Last edited by Elwha73 on 25 Jun 2021, 20:17, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 25 Jun 2021, 18:22 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/27/14
Posts: 1501
Location: ON, Canada
Haven't tried that Fenwick, but I love the versatility of my two glass 8'6" 6wts (Epic and Sage - it's just a great size/length) and I have owned both the FF857 and 858 (both are great). Can't imagine the 856 dropping the ball too far.


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Post 25 Jun 2021, 18:22 • #7 
Sport
Joined: 05/13/18
Posts: 69
Location: US-KS
I also like to fishing the FF756-4 my top pick of the Fenwick's that said I also fish the FF856-5 which will cast both 6 & 7 wt. line just fine. Go fish it I think you we enjoy the rod. I don't think Fenwick ever produced a bad glass rod.


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Post 26 Jun 2021, 20:18 • #8 
Sport
Joined: 12/18/15
Posts: 95
Location: Annapolis, MD
I've got one, it's my go-to here on the Chesapeake for stripers with a 7wt intermediate line. It handled a beautiful 36" striper late one night with no problem, so big trout should be fun on the rod. Three Fenwicks I'll never part with, a 756, an 806-4 and the 856.


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Post 26 Jun 2021, 20:24 • #9 
Sport
Joined: 01/09/21
Posts: 35
Yeah, the FF86 is really nice - picked one up recently. Similar to the FF84 but it feels just a bit sharper and truer. And I seem to get a bit more distance on the 86.


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Post 27 Jun 2021, 15:10 • #10 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/23/10
Posts: 784
Location: SF Bay Area
I own both rods and as another member once said of the two "The FF86 is more of an aesthetic experience". I agree with him; it has a lighter more refined taper.
Having said that the FF856 is a solid all around 6wt that would serve well anywhere you'd want that configuration.


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Post 12 Jul 2021, 13:49 • #11 
Sport
Joined: 03/10/18
Posts: 86
I have an FF856 and it's my favorite 7 wt smallmouth rod. It's pretty strong, and I think it needs a 7 wt to feel the loading and unloading I like to feel when using a fly rod. I don't know right now what weight in ounces Fenwick says the FF856 is, but there are two. I think the lighter wt one is 3 3/8 oz and the heavier is 3 7/8 oz. I have the heavier version, I've heard the lighter one is a genuine 6 weight. I imagine it would be stronger in the shaft and tip than the FF86. don't know, but I'd love to find out!

Fish on!
Peter


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Post 12 Jul 2021, 14:16 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
I have a 856-5. Awesome 6wt big trout rod that will do it all. Pretty good smallie rod too, if you aren't throwing anything too big.


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Post 14 Jul 2021, 12:40 • #13 
Sport
Joined: 03/10/18
Posts: 86
FF856-5: I've had one of these, too. I think I remember it's more of a 6 than my 856 2 pc., and it would be nice to throw that thing in a backpack and hike into the mountains. But it's heavy in hand. I didn't want a 5 piece that badly!

Fish on!


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Post 15 Jul 2021, 09:41 • #14 
Sport
Joined: 09/14/20
Posts: 74
Location: Wisconsin
I have an 856, and I love it. I have used an old SA Ultra 4 DTF6 and Cortland 333 WF7F on it with great results for trout, panfish and bass. BTW, I have the 3-7/8 oz. version. I use a Redington GD 5/6 reel on it, and an old Shakespeare automatic occasionally.


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Post 15 Jul 2021, 17:54 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/11/14
Posts: 1784
Location: urban Colorado
that is a strong candidate for my 'one rod'.. use it for everything, it does it all well. Not my first choice for Cheesman canyon or big bass flies, still it can handle those too.

Haven't tried a lot of different lines, tend to stick with the one that came on the Pfleuger, a WF6 of unknown brand - it casts beautifully.

Yampa tailwater,



The reservoir above the tailwater, throwing big streamers for pike but got this instead,



Carping,





Smallmouth,



High creeks and cutts,



salmonflies on big water,



damselflies in high winds in Wyoming (but I repeat myself ;-)



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Post 17 Jul 2021, 11:51 • #16 
Sport
Joined: 11/16/20
Posts: 73
Fantastic action pics! Thanks fo much for sharing.


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