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Post 18 Mar 2018, 10:15 • #1 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/08/05
Posts: 3570
Location: Western PA
Broad scope here. You've got your earliest yellow Fenwicks that are pasta color; root beer Ferulites with the big braids ;Lunker75 states two digit plus three digit Ferulites should be discussed; two generations of yellow Fenwicks licensed by Tiemco for the Japanese market and two releases named Fenwick Fenglass (dark brown and the current burnt orange 3pc rods). Likes, dislikes, kinda likes, what would you like to see more of?
My favorites; FF79 and the orange Fenglass 704.
FF79...the only vintage one I've kept and still fish. The 704 has been a good all around small stream rod. I was out with it yesterday and it is a very capable rod with a WF5 on a small stream.


Last edited by scud dog on 18 Mar 2018, 19:37, edited 2 times in total.

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Post 18 Mar 2018, 12:28 • #2 
Master Guide
Joined: 05/20/12
Posts: 980
Location: Eugene, OR
Having never handled the most recent generation of Fenglass rods, I can’t comment on the actual question. However, I think the question should consider and include the “second generation” Feralites (1971-?) with the three-digit model numbers; they have actions that are, in most cases, distinctly different than their two-digit predecessors.


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Post 18 Mar 2018, 13:08 • #3 
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Joined: 11/06/17
Posts: 2498
Location: South of Joplin
I only have FF80 & FF85, so, it is hard to say my favorite isn't one that I have not yet tried. The FF80 seems to do it all, for the way I fish. I would sure like to try the FF805 or FF806. Heck I'd like to spend a day with each of every model.


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Post 18 Mar 2018, 18:32 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/26/13
Posts: 483
Location: US-PA
I have the FF605, FF705, FF706, FF755, and the FF805. My 2 favorites are the FF705 and the FF755.


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Post 18 Mar 2018, 19:21 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/06/15
Posts: 1249
Location: Central Oregon
In order of what I like the most: FF756-4, FF807, FF79, FF75-4, FF805, FF806, FF705 FF 856-5 (sold it) The 805 might move up as I get to know it.

Too busy with the classics to try a Fenglass


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 05:46 • #6 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/28/16
Posts: 930
Location: Northern WI
I have two FF535's, an FF60, an FF605, and an FF786. My favorite is the 535. You don't do much real fly casting with it, but it's a roll casting machine. I've also enjoyed both the FF705 and FF85 in the past. The 705 I sold for a reason I can't remember now. The 85 I offloaded because I don't do enough big fish and/or warmwater fishing to warrant having it around. I'd like to pick up another 705 at some point or maybe try the 755.

And on a completely different note....Am I the only one who absolutely loves the smell of the old flannel Fenwick rod socks? Every time I take one out the tube I hold the sock up to my nose. I suppose I might have a problem. :P


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 07:30 • #7 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
FF75 or FF705


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 07:59 • #8 
Master Guide
Joined: 09/03/10
Posts: 866
Location: harriman, tn
I’ve owned quite a few Fenwicks over the years and the FF755 is the only one remaining. To me the FF705 is a pure caster but I would rather have a 3/4 rod to fish sub 7’6” for trout. Now for creek bass, I would not mind at all having a 706 however.


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 08:19 • #9 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
my buddy Steve F. was delighted fishing his FF75 for dries on trout

Image
he caught 15 on dries here in 90 min


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 13:39 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/16
Posts: 298
Location: US-SC
I recently purchased a FF837 from a board member and it is the only fiberglass Fenwick I own. Have a new Aetos 968 and my wife owns a HMG 806.

Have only had the 837 out once but she's a peach.

ImageImage


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 13:45 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 03/16/08
Posts: 3540
Location: Upstate-NY
Tiemco Fenwick 5pc. rods.

Also the FF70, FF84, FF79


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 21:32 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
Pecosjuan and I and I cast a modern (blue/orange) 704 (3pc) against a vintage ff705 when they first came out. The 704 was a much nicer light weight rod. 3pc and lighter in hand. FF705 was faster with a 5wt line than the modern fenglass was with a 4wt line and with a 5wt line it was wonderful.

I really wanted to like the FF705 better, but the newer materials really do make a difference. I like the orange color, but the blue isn't my favorite.


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Post 19 Mar 2018, 22:59 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/28/16
Posts: 930
Location: Northern WI
carlz wrote:
Pecosjuan and I and I cast a modern (blue/orange) 704 (3pc) against a vintage ff705 when they first came out. The 704 was a much nicer light weight rod. 3pc and lighter in hand. FF705 was faster with a 5wt line than the modern fenglass was with a 4wt line and with a 5wt line it was wonderful.

I really wanted to like the FF705 better, but the newer materials really do make a difference. I like the orange color, but the blue isn't my favorite.

Heresy! :lol


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Post 20 Mar 2018, 04:53 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/08/05
Posts: 3570
Location: Western PA
carlz wrote:
... I like the orange color, but the blue isn't my favorite.

I've found that after you put on your sunglasses, sun screen and bug spray, the blue grows on you.

Corlay, those yellow Fenwicks with the red wraps are sweet. Have you been tempted to get one of the new 3wt rods with the clear/yellow wraps?


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Post 21 Mar 2018, 18:53 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/27/14
Posts: 1501
Location: ON, Canada
Despite my recent attempts to sell it, the FF807 is my favorite and the only one I’ve still got. I’ve owned and subsequently passed on:
FF79
FF85
FF705
FF806
FL102-7 (857)
FF858
FF9310

Of those I miss and wish I still had the FF79 and FF705. I bought my now favorite Steffen blanks with the proceeds of both those particular sales, so I don’t actually regret parting with them, but I’d like to get those back someday (particularly the 705 - sigh...)

(PS, I’ve said this before but the 9310 was really fun as a short switch rod with one of the new short skagit heads)


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Post 22 Mar 2018, 15:06 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/25/16
Posts: 1069
Location: Rocky Mountains - Colorado
In my short time with fly fishing this will be my 4th year, I have owned a few Fenwicks, 2 digit and 3 digits, here is a list of the ones I didn't keep.

FF805
FF807
FF856
FF112
These all went down the road as they just didn't fit...truth is I also acquired some Phillipsons and I liked the Phillipsons a little better. (Selling the FF805 almost broke my heart...it was good, but the Phillpson DF Special is the one that spoke to me).

I kept 2 Fenwicks and just got a 3rd this week and they are,

FF86 - This is probably my favorite rod of any that I have tried. Very Smooth but with strength.

FF90 marked 7/8/9/ - A 1963/64 model This was my first glass & my first Fenwick, it is more than needed for trout, but it has a great tip action.

FF90 marked 7/8 - A 1965/66 model This is the one that is headed my way, it will be fun to see how a couple of years changed the rod.

I don't see any of the 3 leaving my pile.


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Post 24 Mar 2018, 19:28 • #17 
Inactive
Joined: 03/20/18
Posts: 62
Location: Kansas
Fenwick Woodstream 755. It is the only Fenwick rod I own and I use it a lot.


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Post 26 Mar 2018, 16:21 • #18 
Guide
Joined: 03/12/15
Posts: 269
Location: US-CT
I have 2 , 7'6" for a 6 weight that also throws a 7 weight line perfectly
and a 7 for a 5/6 line. I like the 766 much more than the other but both are great rods.
married to a medalists of the same vintage, i go back to when i was a kid. wonderful rods and times.


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Post 27 Mar 2018, 08:53 • #19 
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Joined: 06/24/11
Posts: 1144
Location: Belgium
And today my favourite Fenwick is.....? FF 805. Just for today, mind you.


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Post 27 Mar 2018, 10:56 • #20 
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Joined: 02/26/14
Posts: 3578
Location: US-MN
It is easier to answer, which ones don't I like? None!

I have:

FF75-4
FF79
FF756-4
FF806-4
FF856-5
FF85-3
FF85

The only ones I have let go: FF75 (loved it, but it needed to be fished and I was always fishing the FF75-4) and a FF857 (again, it needed to be fished and with all my other 6-8wt Fenwicks, it wasn't getting enough time on the water).


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Post 27 Mar 2018, 19:54 • #21 
Inactive
Joined: 03/20/18
Posts: 62
Location: Kansas
bulldog1935 wrote:
my buddy Steve F. was delighted fishing his FF75 for dries on trout

Image
he caught 15 on dries here in 90 min


Any size to them?


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Post 27 Mar 2018, 20:56 • #22 
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Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
The one in the net looks 15-16ish or more. That is a decent trout IMHO.
.


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Post 27 Mar 2018, 23:44 • #23 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/08/08
Posts: 695
Location: US-MA
It really depends on the water you're fishing and how you're fishing it so for me it's been streamers with the FF856 and 857. I think they're both versatile rods.


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Post 28 Mar 2018, 05:48 • #24 
Piscator
Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19078
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
HedleyLamarr wrote:
bulldog1935 wrote:
my buddy Steve F. was delighted fishing his FF75 for dries on trout

Image
he caught 15 on dries here in 90 min
Any size to them?

the one in his net is 18"
Next time we hit that hatch, I had my dry fly rod (Thomas Light Special), Steve and I again with Bruce (The Tackle Box in San Antonio), and I got the most fish for the hatch duration, 20 rainbows.
Image


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Post 28 Mar 2018, 08:50 • #25 
Guide
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 159
Location: US-Eastern KY
I have three of the new Fenglass models, the 4 wt., 5 wt., and 6 wt. All are very nice rods although I have not yet fished the 6. I did not like the reel seat on the 4 wt. so I removed the seat and replaced it with a Proof downlocker and cork insert. Much better now although the grip is a littler shorter. The 4 wt. is really sweet and has a surprising amount of backbone. I have only used a Peach 4 on it so far. The 5 wt. is my favorite but could be a bias on my part as I usually fish a 5 wt. and the full wells grip works well with my somewhat arthritic old paws. Had an older model brown Fenglass, the 8'-0" 5 wt., and never really cared for it until I tried a SA Frequency Boost 5 wt. The rod really came alive with that line. Medalist 1494 is a perfect match for that rod. Setup went to west coast with my son who has since become a Fenwick fanatic. I also fish a Frequency Boost 5 on the new Fenglass 5 wt. and really like that. I have lawn cast the 6 wt. with a RIO 6 wt. and it seems like a good match, very similar to the 5 wt. Hopefully it will throw bigger gurglers so I can catch some bigger bass. I have never used any of the older Fenwicks so I don't really have a well informed opinion on the subject. I do have a Cabelas 5/6 CGR and like the Fenglass rods better but I do like the CGR, too.


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