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Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 07 Jul 2020, 17:53 • #1 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/20/17
Posts: 387
Location: Portland, OR
My cousin just gave me this one. He got it from a neighbor who owned for six decades, east of Seattle. He didn't use it much because he said he used his cane rods mostly.

Fenwick 330. Seems to be all original and typical of the late '50s, or so, era. It's a pretty rod in very nice condition. Came with original sock in very nice condition too.

Main reason for posting is to ask if anyone knows who Gordon Anderson is? It looks as though it was written at the factory, because it seems to match the handwritten Fenwick pretty well. I don't recall seeing factory Fenwick rods that have been dedicated to individuals, though that may be what this is. Nothing else seems custom on the rod. The name just a little way up the shaft from the model number.

Any thoughts on the who or why the name, is appreciated.

Sandman




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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 07 Jul 2020, 18:55 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3928
Location: USA - Illinois
I wish I could help with the name, but Holy Smokes, that is a beautiful old Fenwick! Assuming a HCH? (B?)
By the photos, are some of the wraps dry - may need some spar varnish help?


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 07 Jul 2020, 19:03 • #3 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/20/17
Posts: 387
Location: Portland, OR
Thanks John...no line weight designation on rod...haven't cast it yet...assuming its a 6-7-8...the thread is a little dry, but smooth and tight...the mylar is bright...

Sandman


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 07 Jul 2020, 22:11 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4971
Location: US-MT
I've got a 330, I love it. Gave mine a quick wipe down with spar and it hid a lot of the cracks in the finish, really helped.

I grew up in eastern WA and that name rings a bell. Might have to ask my dad, he's 91 but still sharp as a tack. Steelhead and a lot of the desert lakes, a 8.5 or 9ft Fenwick was sign of a fisherman.


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 00:08 • #5 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/20/17
Posts: 387
Location: Portland, OR
Keith, does your 330 have a cigar grip? I know some pre-Feralites had half wells. Wondering if this grip was selected by Gordon Anderson, or if the cigar style was standard then.

Sandman


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 09:07 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4971
Location: US-MT
MIne has cigar just like the one you have pictured. Wait, now I am gonna have to look, it's at home, will look tonight to make sure I'm not telling fibs.


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 09:19 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3928
Location: USA - Illinois
An early Fenwick 315 (7') just sold on eBay and had that same simple cigar grip. Factory standard grip at that time I'd bet.
I was sorely tempted to mix it up on that 315.


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 14:58 • #8 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/20/17
Posts: 387
Location: Portland, OR
Thanks John...at $250, that 315 got a fair amount of mixing up...

Sandman


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 17:05 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3928
Location: USA - Illinois
Yep, sure did. I think the seller was Jacob Bethke, son of John, inventor of the Pink Squirrel, but as always, I could be wrong.
A short 7' 5 weight Fenwick 3 digit does make folks mix it up :P


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 18:27 • #10 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4971
Location: US-MT
Got home and looked, my 330 and my 315-4 both have the grip like the one pictured above.


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 21:24 • #11 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/20/17
Posts: 387
Location: Portland, OR
Thanks Keith...guess it's a stock rod excepting the name...Gordon will remain a mystery...for now, I'll assume it was either a gift to Gordon from Fenwick, or a custom order by Gordon..I don't even know if Fenwick took custom orders as such.

Sandman


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 08 Jul 2020, 22:31 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4971
Location: US-MT
I would bet they did that name in house. Was a small business back then.


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 10 Jul 2020, 15:11 • #13 
Sport
Joined: 06/20/17
Posts: 56
Location: US-WI
Yeah, that was my 315. I wasn't disappointed with the sale price :) Luckily I have another one that was a gift from a friend, so I have to keep it!


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 11 Jul 2020, 00:18 • #14 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/20/17
Posts: 387
Location: Portland, OR
PinkSquirrel, congratulations on that sale...it was a nice one, but it sounds like you’re covered...I’ve cast the 315-4, but not the 315...someday.

Sandman


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 11 Jul 2020, 08:11 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5566
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
The pre-ferrulite Feniwicks are great. Getting a few extra coats of varnish on now is a great preventative measure. Clean the rod with soap and water (and avoid Denatured Alcohol at this point, as was mentioned on the System4 reel post, it can strop off old varnish which you don't want to do). The original wraps should hold up if they are sealed.

I have no info on the name, but in those days, Fenwick did custom work, so it just could be the original owners name.

I have 330-3 and a 326. The 326 is the first in the line of 8' 6wt Fenwicks and is just as good if not better than all of them, but I must admit the ferulite ferrule is much more convenient.


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 21 Jul 2020, 17:09 • #16 
Sport
Joined: 07/19/20
Posts: 77
I just picked up (auction site) one identical to yours Sandman, sans the personalization, and it's on the way from Portland coincidentally. I have been watching for a 325 or 326 but couldn't pass up this 330, although not as pristine.
The tube label has a cover over address "Fenwick Products Inc, XXXXXX" and I'm assuming it said Kent, Washington as the return for factory replacement lists Woodland, Washington. Does this date my pre-eagle logo example as 1955?
No worries though, I'm not a collector after fishing over a dozen Feralites, both double and triple digit models. Probably going to try a Rio Grande 6 weight at 185 gr. It's front heavy enough to load this 330 as 7, I think.
How unusual is a pre-eagle 50s vintage Fenwick anyway? I'm obsessed with early 'glass, especially first run Heddons and Fenwicks. I have a Heddon Superlative Pal 9' Bass from '52-'53 that I believe sold for $49.95 then. Proud at over a week's working man's pay!
Any other first run rods out there that I need?

OlGlass56


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 21 Jul 2020, 21:14 • #17 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/20/17
Posts: 387
Location: Portland, OR
OlGlass, nice 330, congratulations!...I wouldn't say pre-feralite Fenwicks are especially rare (maybe the 305), but finding one with sock and tube all in excellent condition may be considered rare...The pre-eagle logo lines up with the pre-feralite with approx production dates between 1955-61, or so...I don't know how to date them between these dates...Understandably, the Pacific Northwest seems to be relatively rich in early Fenwick finds.

Sandman


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 22 Jul 2020, 05:27 • #18 
Sport
Joined: 07/19/20
Posts: 77
Thanks Sandman, yet to be seen how nice it really is From auction site, of course. My notion of it being really early was the fact that labeling indicates it was made in Kent, Washington and no history relates that location going forward as far as I can find. By the time the eagle logo is seen, even on the Grizzly blanks, the factory was in Woodland or even California. I'll post photos when I can, Hopefully others can interject it they have knowledge. Thanks again!
OlGlass56


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 22 Jul 2020, 09:38 • #19 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4971
Location: US-MT
IMHO the older Fenwicks cast as well or better than the Feralites.

When the tip over butt came out, I thought it was dang ugly, and I haven't changed my mind much.


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 22 Jul 2020, 16:22 • #20 
Sport
Joined: 07/19/20
Posts: 77
Glad to hear from you majicwrench, this is my first "ferruled" Fenwick, and I'm beginning to think I've been missing something with all my ff models. Never really thought that they had appearance issues, my thing was occasional very bad sticking, and some loosening when careful not to over insert. O ring Heddons through the '60s always fully inserted and equally hard ,but consistent, to remove. Hoping this Fenwick follows suit.
I have always loved the feel of the 'glass rods that show the mat texture through the finish. Somehow it seems more "live" and connected even though the flex should dampen things. Sort of like 100 m.p.h. is more fun in a '60s muscle car than a 2020 truck.
Keep the sharing up, I want to know what all you Fenwick 3 _ _ owners can tell me about your rods - especially taper, lines, and flex. I'm still hankering for a true 6 weight.

OlGlass56


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Re: Fenwick 330 Fans
Post 22 Jul 2020, 19:06 • #21 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8931
Location: US-ME
You might enjoy looking at the later yellow Fenwick blanks--use the search function. A great series to the hobby and small custom builder trade in the fiberglass heyday, ready for cutting and ferruling to the builder's preference.


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