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Post 19 Sep 2021, 10:46 • #1 
New Member
Joined: 10/15/19
Posts: 3
Location: US-NC
Long time lurker looking for some forum expertise. I have a small collection of modern glass 5wt and under. Recently I’ve been more interested in vintage glass after replacing a CGR 7/8 (broke on a cast and returned for a refund) with a Fenwick FF807 (miles better than the CGR to me). The 807 has been an eye opener.

I’m on the hunt for a 6wt to fill a gap in my line up. I’d prefer it to be travel friendly, 3 or 4 piece. I’ve been looking for an FF756-4 for a while but no luck as of yet. Are there any other alternatives out there worth looking at? I want a do it all type rod. I would like to keep it under 8’ (prefer 7 1/2) and on the cheap side of $150 or so.

I don’t know why I avoided vintage glass! I started out on an old Eagle Claw 6 1/2 with a Martin reel back in the day, which would be considered vintage these days. I’ve been missing out!


Last edited by jsg22 on 24 Sep 2021, 18:24, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 19 Sep 2021, 12:43 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
Love my Fenwick FF806-4! If you are ok with 5 pieces, the FF856-5 is another awesome 6 wt.


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Post 19 Sep 2021, 18:19 • #3 
Guide
Joined: 02/05/15
Posts: 262
Location: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
If you are interested in Fenwicks, the FF75-4 and FF706-4 would probably also be suitable.


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Post 19 Sep 2021, 19:55 • #4 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Welcome to the forum!

For something different, watch for a Garcia N547, 7'6" five piece rod. It is a bit odd with three glass spigot ferrules and a tip over butt ferrule at the tip section. The rod is rated as a 6/7 weight. The spigots on mine could fit better, but they work ok.

Before glass ferrules, four and five piece rods had too much metal and not enough glass. Wright & McGill sold rods based on their mini-ferrules, but you have to be alert to find them.


Tom


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Post 19 Sep 2021, 20:09 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/09/05
Posts: 2524
Location: US-CO
Vintage 4 pc rods were not as popular then as they are today, but there are some nice ones. I have several of these Fenwicks and will compare them for you so you can decide what will meet your needs. Your instinct for a 7 1/2’ rod is a good one.

The one that best matches your criteria is the FF-756, a 6wt, 7 1/2’, 4 pc. It is a great all around rod. A bit faster than I normally like.

My choice for a 7 1/2’ 4 pc would be the Fenwick FF-755-4, but it is a 5 wt and has a slower action that I prefer over my FF-756-4. A key question is, how much line will you normally have out? If you will be casting moderate distances the faster rods will cast smoothly. For shorter distances, I like softer rods.

At 7 ft, an FF-70-4, 7 ft, 5/6 wt is a great rod for streams and smaller water although it can handle large fish reliably.

At 8’, the FF-80-4 has a casting action much like the FF-756, but brings some extra reach which is handy for mending and stealth.

There are some 4 pc Browning Silaflex rods in a 4 pc but I only have experience with these nice rods in 2 pc examples. I know of no vintage glass Shakespeare 4 pc rods.

From what you have said, if you like faster/more powerful rods get the FF-756-4. If you like slower/smoother rods get the FF-75-4.

It is well known that I personally favor the multi-piece Lamiglas rods but the multi-piece rods are hard to find these days. They would be considered by most to be slow action rods.

Good luck in your search. Let us know what you decide.


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Post 19 Sep 2021, 20:54 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/16/05
Posts: 2537
Location: Georgia
I have FF70-4, FF756-4, and FF80-4. The FF756-4 is a good one, but if the others would suit, I’d certainly recommend them; maybe because of their lengths, maybe because of the older series, I actually like them a bit more, although the FF756-4 is more versatile. I also have a Phillipson DF476, a 4-piece 6wt, which seems more warm water centered suited than the FF756-4, but still trout ready.

But since you know you like the FF807 (I do too), I wouldn’t just keep my eyes open for a FF756-4, I’d go ahead and post a “want to buy” notice on our Fly Rods Wanted board. Many of us have more rods than we can regularly fish, and you could easily prompt someone to decide to more one along.


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Post 19 Sep 2021, 21:10 • #7 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/14/06
Posts: 720
Location: US-CA
I have the fenwick ff756-4 and the ff856-5. I like both of these rods but the 756-4 I like way more than the 856-5. The 856-5 can get a little heavy and tiresome to cast for me over time. I fish the ff756-4 with a dt5 and a dt5.5 line most of the time but like it with a six as well.
Another rod I have is a LL Bean 7.5' 6wt 4pc built for them by Phillipson. It has the glass ferrules with the metal ring. It is a very nice casting rod and I believe you can usually get the bean branded ones cheaper if you can find them.


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Post 19 Sep 2021, 21:26 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
FF 90-3 is a magic rod (good luck finding one at a reasonable price).
One of the multi-piece FF85's is a 6wt
I have an 8' LL Bean 3pc (Phillipson Eponite) that is a 6/7, but a bit nicer with a 7wt line.

In general, there are very few nice, vintage rods with more than 2 pieces. Most are clunky. I don't know if one of the Berkley parametrics was made as a 4pc, but I have converted a 2pc rod to a 4pc and it has turned out well.


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Post 19 Sep 2021, 21:53 • #9 
New Member
Joined: 10/15/19
Posts: 3
Location: US-NC
Wow. What awesome responses. You all are great. I’ve had a forum member reach out about selling a 756-4 which seems perfect. If that falls through I have more options now thanks to your help. I will definitely post on the want to buy forum if it does fall through.

I’m still only a few years in with fiberglass fly rods, though I’m definitely hooked. I started with a few Chinese “red glass” rods which were pretty good. Then built up a few CTS blanks which I love. Then built a JP Ross Wildcard (quirky but it’s a neat rod). Now I’ve finally opened my eyes to these fantastic vintage rods. I’ve sold or given away a lot of my graphite rods now. No turning back.

I will keep you all posted on how everything goes. Thanks again.


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Post 20 Sep 2021, 04:17 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 03/12/15
Posts: 269
Location: US-CT
I have both the 2 piece and 4 piece F 756.
I fish them both with a 7 weight floater and 7 weight full sinking w/o any problems.
They are just wonderful fishing rods.
Good luck.


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Post 20 Sep 2021, 12:44 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/25/08
Posts: 1526
Location: Delton, MI
The Fenwick FF70 and -4 are among the best 6wt small stream rods ever made in any material. The best vintage 8ft 6wt I’ve rver fished is the Hardy JET 8ft 6wt 3pc (not to be confused with the Smugglers). The best vintage multipiece rods in general were the San Francisco Scott’s and Winston’s. Scott’s 7’0” 4wt 3pc and Winston 7’6” 5wt 4pc were particularly good. The Winston does better with a 6wt.


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Post 20 Sep 2021, 18:53 • #12 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19076
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Berkley made an 8' 3-pc Para/metric that's worth hunting.

More recently, Lamiglas made a series of 8' 3-pc glass rods.


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Post 20 Sep 2021, 19:00 • #13 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 08/25/08
Posts: 1526
Location: Delton, MI
Yup, those 8ft 3pc 6wt Parametrics are fantastic rods.


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Post 20 Sep 2021, 19:53 • #14 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/20/12
Posts: 980
Location: Eugene, OR
Yes. Yes. The translucent, 8.5’ 3 piece Parametric Deluxe. Sweet 6 weight.


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Post 23 Sep 2021, 19:51 • #15 
New Member
Joined: 10/15/19
Posts: 3
Location: US-NC
Quick update. The 756-4 was delivered today and it’s better than expected. Nice and compact. Can’t wait to take it out over the weekend.

Here is a pic (taken by the seller).




Thanks again for the help and suggestions.


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Post 23 Sep 2021, 20:28 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/16/05
Posts: 2537
Location: Georgia
That’s a good one. And it even looks like the cap to the rod case is still attached. Congratulations!


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Post 24 Sep 2021, 08:46 • #17 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
Great! Put a Medalist 1494 on it and go fish!
:D


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