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Fenwick 330-3
Post 26 Jan 2021, 15:52 • #1 
Guide
Joined: 10/14/19
Posts: 128
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
I had the fortune to purchase a Fenwick 330-3 on a local auction site and it arrived yesterday by courier, wrapped in newspaper and in a cardboard tube. There was no rod sock or rod tube, but the rod is in excellent condition. I believe that this is a rare find in New Zealand. The shaft, cork, bindings and ferrules, including the O rings are in excellent condition. On the shaft in handwritten style, is fenwick 330-3, and below this is 8 1/2 4 1/2oz. There is no eagle (or bear), the anodised Sizematic ferrules are copper coloured and the Allan type (perhaps it is an Allan) reel seat is a reddish colour with gold reel foot hoods and a single gold anodised winding band. I see on Wiki that there is a question mark relating to its line weight. To me it appears to be around a #7, so I will initially try a #7 and then go one either way. Is there any way of narrowing down the manufacturing date from 1955 to 1962? To me, this rod is a true treasure and I would appreciate any help from forum members. I am looking forward to using this rod next weekend on trout in Lake Rotorua and on the Tongariro River sometime soon. I have decided to restrict its use to freshwater only after having a kingfish rip four snakes off my FF85. Thank you in advance. Cheers


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 26 Jan 2021, 17:09 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4966
Location: US-MT
Fun. I have a 325 ( I think that is the number) a 8.5ft 2pc rod, it's a 7wt, and a 315? 7ft 4pc. Might be more hiding around the house.....

IMHO the old metal ferruled rods are nicer casters than the tip over butt rods.
Can't help on date.

PS We love pictures.......


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 26 Jan 2021, 18:55 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
Yes, pictures please!


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 26 Jan 2021, 19:25 • #4 
Guide
Joined: 10/14/19
Posts: 128
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
I love pictures too, I just struggle with the technology. Sincere apologies. Cheers


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 26 Jan 2021, 19:54 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4966
Location: US-MT
I hear ya. PM sent, if you can email me pictures I will get em on site,


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 26 Jan 2021, 20:45 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
Is there a serial number on it? If it was from mid 1960 or later, it will have a serial number (which may be hand written).
The first character is a letter (probably A or B)
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=499&p=23477&hilit=fenwick+codes#p23477

Otherwise, it is earlier. Other than that, you can't really pin the date down unless you figure out when the rod was first produced. The Fenwick book might help a bit, but even catalogs aren't perfect. There are plenty of rods that aren't listed in the first year or two they were produced.

The 330-3 is the precursor to the FF90-3. I have both, and it is one of the special rods that Fenwick produced. It is a slower 7wt or even a 6wt for me. The FF90 2pc rod is a significantly different rod which is a bit faster action 7wt.

Even as a 7wt, I would use it like a 6wt, small streamers, small deerhair bugs, dry flies or even better, soft hackles. I find it is a bit too soft to be a good nymphing rod. There are very few slow action Fenwicks. I find the FF84 is the slowest, followed by the FF90-3(330-3) and then the FF70-4 and ff75-4. The FF85-3 and FF85-5 fit in there someplace but they seem different to me.

What a magical find in New Zealand.


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 27 Jan 2021, 01:27 • #7 
Guide
Joined: 10/14/19
Posts: 128
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Hi majicwrench. Many thanks, PM sent. One of my mates is going to post some pictures soon. Cheers.

Hi carlz. Thanks very much for the information. Your time is appreciated and the information is very helpful. I can confirm that there is no serial number, so I guess that makes it pre mid 1960. Yeah, it is a magical find, every now something special turns up here, my Fenwick FF85 is special, as is my Fenwick FL102-7. What is even more special is fishing them. Cheers.


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 27 Jan 2021, 03:48 • #8 
New Member
Joined: 08/21/20
Posts: 22
Location: Whangaparaoa, New Zealand
Mudfish' 330-3 images:








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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 27 Jan 2021, 07:13 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
Wow! Lucky you!


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 27 Jan 2021, 08:36 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 04/08/06
Posts: 124
Location: US-PA
Ooohh - mylar wraps! Very cool!


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 27 Jan 2021, 10:53 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4966
Location: US-MT
That thing is in wonderful shape, what a jewel. Enjoy


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 28 Jan 2021, 14:32 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/25/16
Posts: 1069
Location: Rocky Mountains - Colorado
Wow...what a great find! Congrats and thanks for the pics


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 29 Jan 2021, 00:03 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/23/10
Posts: 784
Location: SF Bay Area
To me the earlier Fenwicks quality looks more custom built than production. Let us know what you think once you've cast or fished it.


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 29 Jan 2021, 00:25 • #14 
Guide
Joined: 10/14/19
Posts: 128
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
I am fishing the 330-3 tomorrow for rainbows and browns at Lake Rotorua, so I will let you know how I go. Really appreciate the positive comments about this rod, makes me proud to be part of its history. I reckon this rod has mojo. Again, a big thanks to those who have posted above. Cheers


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 29 Jan 2021, 09:02 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/05/10
Posts: 5229
Location: Mid Hudson Valley of New York
Wow! That rod is amazing. More so because it was shipped in newspaper and cardboard and survived. A beautiful example of the early Fenwick style. No decals, no stamped model; just hand-lettering. I agree with Holdover, the earliest Fenwick rods had a "home built" kind of "one off" look that is very appealing.


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Re: Fenwick 330-3
Post 30 Jan 2021, 02:16 • #16 
Guide
Joined: 10/14/19
Posts: 128
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Well, the rod proved its worth today, only one trout but it was a cruising brownie of 7 1/2 pounds. I will post comments on the correct section of the forum and get my mate to post a picture when I receive it. Cheers


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