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Fenwick ff807
Post 12 May 2008, 16:35 • #1 
Sport
Joined: 11/29/07
Posts: 58
Location: US-CA
Found this on Craigslist and picked it up after work. It will be used in the future. I think I did ok spending $45.
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Fenwick ff807
Post 12 May 2008, 17:10 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/29/06
Posts: 4413
Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon
that is a great rod. I have one and paid much more for it, but it was worth it. They are easy casting rods. Actually, they are so nice to fish with that I cannot imagine every giving mine up for any reason. I have much prettier rods but this one is a casting and fishing gem. THat reel seat will take a big variety of reel feet as well and I really like that about this rod. Good for you on your neat find and that is a fabulous price.
Paul


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Fenwick ff807
Post 13 May 2008, 14:49 • #3 
Emeritus
Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
The FF807 is one of the best work horse rods in the history of fly fishing.
The rod is light for a 7 wt but indestructible. I fish 17# flouro tippet on mine and horse very large carp out of the log jams.
No rod does it better.
Really nice large streamer rod for smallies too.


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Fenwick ff807
Post 13 May 2008, 16:43 • #4 
Sport
Joined: 11/29/07
Posts: 58
Location: US-CA
Thanks for the comments. I did a little lawn casting this afternoon. One word ... Sweeet! I am going to have some fun with this rod.


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Fenwick ff807
Post 14 May 2008, 01:37 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2153
Location: West Virginia
You got a great buy on that FF807. It is one of the rods that I'll never sell. It will really save your arm in a long day of casting - almost casts itself.


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Fenwick ff807
Post 14 May 2008, 07:47 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 02/25/08
Posts: 184
Location: US-NM
The 807 is a teriffic rod and the 837 is great, also.


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Fenwick ff807
Post 15 May 2008, 03:59 • #7 
Sport
Joined: 07/07/07
Posts: 77
Location: US-TN
I love my 807. It has been my favorite rod to fish this year. Hang onto that one, it is a great deal for $45.


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Fenwick ff807
Post 17 May 2008, 17:20 • #8 
Sport
Joined: 06/30/06
Posts: 41
How does the FF806 compare to the 807? I have an 806, and noticed that the cork grip on mine is longer, thinner and shaped differently than the one in the picture. Except for the different line weights, do they cast about the same? Just curious.
Bob


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Fenwick ff807
Post 18 May 2008, 09:14 • #9 
Guide
Joined: 08/03/07
Posts: 112
I want the address of "carp unlimited" ...


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Fenwick ff807
Post 18 May 2008, 11:04 • #10 
Emeritus
Joined: 06/10/05
Posts: 612
Location: US-MI
fisherofsmallstreams wrote:
I want the address of "carp unlimited" ...

www.huronflyfishing.com




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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 14:01 • #11 
New Member
Joined: 03/04/12
Posts: 11
Location: US-FL
Forum, I'm am not only new to this board, I'm a new fly fisherman (literally just starting). I have been a conventional fisherman for 40 years and have dabbled with fly fishing however I have never owned a fly reel/rod. I recently purchased a Fenwick FF 807 rod and the reason I chose this rod was because I own many Fenwick baitcasting and spinning rods and they are GREAT. Being that I'm new, I didn't want a junky setup as if history repeast itself, I will go at this full steam ahead. That being said, what would be the ideal reel to match up to this rod? I'm not going to purchase a $700 Orvis or a comparable Tibor (however I did find a Tibor at a GREAT price) Something under $200 that is of good quality. My primary fishing will be for Snook, Redfish and Trout (all saltwater) any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. @ fisingy, I got mine for $35 and there isn't a mark on it, flawless condition so I think I did well too!


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 16:36 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/03/07
Posts: 1152
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
The FF807 is a great rod and you got it for an excellent price. My only suggestion is that if I was fishing salt water is that I'd try a WF8 line on it to see how you like it.


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 16:39 • #13 
New Member
Joined: 03/04/12
Posts: 11
Location: US-FL
Thank you for the response, that was going to be my next of many entry level questions.


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 17:21 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
gwbimini wrote:
That being said, what would be the ideal reel to match up to this rod? I'm not going to purchase a $700 Orvis or a comparable Tibor (however I did find a Tibor at a GREAT price) Something under $200 that is of good quality. My primary fishing will be for Snook, Redfish and Trout (all saltwater) any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. @ fisingy, I got mine for $35 and there isn't a mark on it, flawless condition so I think I did well too!

I will make a few recommendations, but there are a lot of good reels available in that price range.

1) For a classic reel a Pflueger Meadalist 1498 will be a bit on the big size, but will handle an 8wt line with no problem. A Pflueger Meadalist 1495 will handle a 7wt line but might be a little tight and not have enough backing. If you go through the classic reels forum, you will get some other ideas.

2) There are plenty of modern reels that are available in the $100 to $200 range, large arbor, disk drag that will do very well. You might be able to get a used Abel for $300 if you are on the lookout for one.

Expect to pay more for the reel than you did for the rod :-). Especially for the types of fish you are going after.

Carl


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 17:22 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
Duff wrote:
You got a great buy on that FF807. It is one of the rods that I'll never sell. It will really save your arm in a long day of casting - almost casts itself.

Duff, Do you still have the rod?
Just checking, you sometimes change your mind :P

Carl


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 17:29 • #16 
New Member
Joined: 03/04/12
Posts: 11
Location: US-FL
Aren't phflueger medalist reels kind of basic? I've looked at the 1598? And although its a large reel I wasn't sure it was of any quality. Correct me if I'm wrong as these can be purchased for under $50.00.


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 20:12 • #17 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
I think the 1598 is the new Rim Control version of the 1498. I would look at an old US made 1498 off of ebay. They are basic and probably are available for $40 to $70 off of eBay for a nice one. While basic, they are durable and very functional.

I have a 1594RC and personally would avoid the new medalists for work in the salt.


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 21:12 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/26/09
Posts: 1106
Location: Richmond, TX
I use an Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor fly reel for saltwater (primarily the same species -- redfish, trout (specks), drum, flounder). Mine are size V for my two 8 wt. rods, but would probably go with size IV (7 - 9 wt.) on a Fenwick FF807.

The Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor was discontinued a couple years ago (replaced by the Access series), but is easy to find on the aftermarket (e.g. eBay ), and typically sells for around $100. The reel came in black, titanium, and gold finishes. (I would go with black on a brown Fenwick FF series rod, e.g. classic, but as way of disclosure I have the titanium finish. The gold finish seems to be the hardest to find.)

For fly lines, you will need a saltwater weight forward taper for warm water (probably floating or intermediate). I would look at a 7 wt. that runs a half weight heavy. The subject of fly lines can be a bit tricky, with lots of options and choices, and would be something for another topic.

Andrew.


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 21:30 • #19 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2153
Location: West Virginia
Carl, you got me. .. it's gone. Like Picasso's "Blue Period", that was my "Fenwick Period". :o


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 04 Mar 2012, 23:22 • #20 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/09/06
Posts: 2517
Location: US
That rod is a little on the light side for saltwater use but certainly worth trying. I prefer fighting butts on my saltwater rods but they aren't really necessary for small fish. Be sure and give it a good freshwater wash after every use and don't put it back into storage wet.

For a reel I would take a look at the Scientific Anglers System 2 7/8 model. The larger models of these reels were used by many striper guys in the Northeast for years. The 7/8 should balance with that rod. Personally I love Pfluegers but feel a 1498 is too big for that rod.

As far as the 1598 reels I used one of the 1598RC reels for my first striper reel for many years and still have it. They work just fine but the salt will eventually get to them.


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 05 Mar 2012, 04:13 • #21 
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Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
That is a choice rod to get going in fiberglass with. You have a huge range of reel selections with that budget, and many more purpose built reels for saltwater use available today than in the fiberglass heyday. As to the Pflueger Medalist, though, they are a rugged, enduring design. They are to fly reels of the time what Fenwicks were to flyrods of the time. In fact, if someone were to systematically examine a variety of Fenwick advertisements, I bet they'd find Fenwick Feralites pictured with Pflueger reels more than any other brand. The 1495 and 1495 1/2' both have ample backing capacity with WF8 and with that weight were a common choice, often with a Fenwick rod, as Atlantic salmon reels. You could find a more saltwater-proof reel for sure, but the inexpensive Pflueger is never a bad start for a 'glass outfit.


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Post 05 Mar 2012, 08:25 • #22 
New Member
Joined: 03/04/12
Posts: 11
Location: US-FL
I'm so glad I found this site, all of your suggestions are awesome! I will get on eBay and have a look around to locate some of these reels. Thank you for the knowledge and I'll let you know what I end up with.


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 05 Mar 2012, 23:43 • #23 
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Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
BTW, as a disclaimer, I love medalists. My first reel was a 1494CJ I still have it and use it occasionally. However I also fish A host of other reels. There are great deals to be had on 10 to 15 year old 7-9 wt reels on ebay. These are more Disk Drag models. I am thinking things like Ross Gunnison, Marryat, Lamson LP, etc. They are not cheap but you can find them in "lightly used" condition and are a good value.

If I were buying a medalist, I would get an older model, Made in USA, either DA or Akron. Some of the older medalists are right hand retrieve only, so you have to be aware of that.

Check out Joe Cornwall's page on medalists.
http://www.flyfishohio.com/Anglers_Guid. .. dalist.htm


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 06 Mar 2012, 07:34 • #24 
New Member
Joined: 03/04/12
Posts: 11
Location: US-FL
Carlz, great article on the history of phleuger reels. I believe I'm sold. I think this would be a great "starting" reel for me. Outsold do just about everything I want. You're also correct that there are a lot of them for sale on eBay and other sites. Another question, lets say I do get the 1498, ( again please bare with me on these novice questions) I first load the reel with "backing" let's say 100 yards of 30# dacron, then I attach a wf7 or 8 weight line, approximately 90 yards then attached to that, I elect a chosen leader? How many feet or yards of leader would typically be needed for redfish or trout? thank you again for your help. Byron


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Re: Fenwick ff807
Post 06 Mar 2012, 07:43 • #25 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/09/06
Posts: 2517
Location: US
Byron a 9ft leader is all I usually use when fishing for specs or sea trout. I still think the 1498 might be a little heavy on that rod. If you can find a deal on a 1495&1/2 you might try one of those first.


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