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Post 29 Mar 2018, 19:44 • #26 
Inactive
Joined: 03/20/18
Posts: 62
Location: Kansas
bulldog1935 wrote:
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


Dude, that is a nice fish. It looks like you're fishing some nice water.


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Post 15 Apr 2018, 17:38 • #27 
Guide
Joined: 02/05/15
Posts: 262
Location: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Have FF706, FF706-4, FF75, FF75, FF75-4, FF756-4, FF805 and FF806. Have different uses for different rods and each does its job well. Overall like the FF75 best, probably why I have two. Really like the portability of the four pieces though.


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Post 15 Apr 2018, 20:55 • #28 
Guide
Joined: 02/12/12
Posts: 147
Location: Woodbridge, VA
I have several, but the 102-6-5 that I built up last year is a great all-around rod, probably my favorite 6wt glass rod.


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Post 21 Apr 2018, 07:06 • #29 
Sport
Joined: 09/01/12
Posts: 64
Location: US-PA
For me, a favorite has to do everything well. It might be my meeting but its their agenda. The rod has to perform with a weighted streamer and small dry with aplomb. Of the one's I've fished, the FF75. It has the most uniform progression from butt to tip in a spectrum that is that is neither too stiff nor too soft at either end. A natural forgiving caster. I'd rather not have to think about the cast. I look at where the fly needs to land, watch it land there and wonder how I did that. The ff75 does this well for me. With a larger fish on, a softer action would be nice when its close to the net. I just need to pay attention and do my part.


Last edited by toonah on 21 Apr 2018, 10:16, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 21 Apr 2018, 09:22 • #30 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/24/12
Posts: 493
Location: Portland, Oregon
I've liked most of the Fenwicks I've tried, but I recently thinned the herd and the three that I kept are the FF755, FF806 and FF858. I figured these three rods will cover almost any fishing situation I may encounter.

David


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Post 21 Apr 2018, 10:50 • #31 
Sport
Joined: 12/14/12
Posts: 25
Location: US-MO
For versatility and knock around fishing the 806 is hard to beat.


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Post 21 Apr 2018, 18:16 • #32 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/28/16
Posts: 930
Location: Northern WI
Cabindays wrote:
For versatility and knock around fishing the 806 is hard to beat.

Most definitely. I caught everything from bluegills and 7 inch brookies up to smallies and pike on mine. Even the little fish put a nice bend in it.


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Post 23 Apr 2018, 15:40 • #33 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/09/16
Posts: 746
Location: Colorado
bulldog1935 wrote:
FF75 or FF705


Agree 100%
I fished for a couple of hours yesterday during a BWO hatch on the South Platte with my FF75 (D serial #). It's a fantastic rod - quick and accurate with a lot of feel. I think I'll fish it a lot more this year.


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Post 17 Jun 2018, 21:26 • #34 
Guide
Joined: 06/25/16
Posts: 156
Location: Southeast PA
FF75 and FF70


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Post 29 Jan 2022, 01:23 • #35 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 1218
Location: Branson, Missouri
I have a number of these rods made in the earlier two digit years - and I have a strong affinity for them.
They are durable as can be, and they are out there if you just code search for them.
Cut out all the mindless miles of garbage that leads you in other directions.
Focus. Use the codes.
Great thread here.


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Post 29 Jan 2022, 10:10 • #36 
Guide
Joined: 08/21/18
Posts: 168
Location: West Yellowstone and Atlanta
I have multiple copies of FF79 which is a go to rod for dry flies for me -- from very small to pretty big salmonflies and hoppers; i sometimes give in to 9' graphite for big lakes, windy days, and big swirly current rivers like Henry's Fork. I like FF75-4 and 806-4 for hike-in and even some garden variety roadside settings. I have FF755, 756 and 786; i like them all a lot but find that i use the others more. I sorta, kinda promised one of those last 3 to my 5 y.o. granddaughter on the notion that a sub-8' not terribly expensive fiberglass rod shd be a good beginner rod for kids; i htink i am right about that but we shall see.


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Post 29 Jan 2022, 11:45 • #37 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/21/21
Posts: 447
Location: Florida
Very limited experience but out of the FF807, FF856, FF85 (7-8-9wt) that I have fished so far I honestly love every single one of them. Majority (vast) of my fishing is warm/Stillwater ponds and lakes here in Florida so can’t yet speak to the 10% of my time fishing trout out West but I’ll remedy that when I take my new FG 766-4 to the Green River in April …

The FF856 I got off the auction site for an unbelievable price or I wouldn’t have purchased it … but I am so glad I did. I have it paired with a Medalist 5/6 and a 444 Tropic Line WF 6WT that launches streamers. This rod has really been a pleasant surprise …

The FF85 is my spirit animal though, when I’m targeting the big fish this is the rod I grab, it does everything I need it to do and is my best shore/wading rod for bass. It throws an SA Mastery Bass Bug 8wt and an SA Parabolic Sonar Stillwater Sinking Line 8wt with big bugs and streamers.

The FF807 is another great bass rod and what I use when the top water bite is on, also a great boat rod when I don’t need the distance of the FF85.

I’ll be trying out the newest acquisition the FG766 on some trout and char in Germany in a few days … looking forward to it.


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Post 30 Jan 2022, 10:12 • #38 
Guide
Joined: 04/18/20
Posts: 169
Location: Far Western 'burbs of Chicago
I have multiple versions of the FF755 and FF756 models and couldn't be happier with them. They suit my casting stroke and day to day fishing confines wonderfully.


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Post 30 Jan 2022, 20:41 • #39 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/11/06
Posts: 2516
Location: Nature Coast Florida
The little 6', 2 oz with the sliding band reel seat will always be my favorite. Not because it's necessarily better than any other, but because of the memories of so many great days on streams and lakes with it.

Also, maybe because it suited my casting style and because it worked great with a variety of lines and different size flies.

Barry


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 11:03 • #40 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/09/05
Posts: 2524
Location: US-CO
I have owned or do own most of the Fenwick glass rods that are 8 ft or less. Favorites are the FF-79 and FF-70-4. Among others I like and fish are the FF-70 (and its older cousin the 315), FF-805, FF-806-4, FF-806. FL-6 (FF-786), FL-7 (FF-837), FF-756-4, FF-756 (and its earlier cousin the 320), and the FF-605. My FF-75-4 is a favorite hike-in rod and one I take on travel when I don't know what to expect.

I occasionally owned Fenwicks longer than 8 ft but sold them. The FF-83 is a perfect rod for light presentations in spring creeks...but I never fish those waters so I moved it along. My FF-535 was fun but seems pretty much a toy, and is too short to start kids on IMHO. Since I like the FF-70 better than the FF-705, I sold one of those to a friend at a clave. Have always been tempted to buy an FF-706 but have never cast one.

I have never seen an FF-79-4, probably because one would have had to be ordered as a special request but I would LOVE to have that rod, if any exist. The FF-79 is a terrific rod and a 4 pc portable version of that rod would be terrific. I thought I saw someone on the board mention that they had one once. If that was you...call me!

The only Fenwick that I have that I don't like much is an FF-80. Mine just feels sloppy, won't cast very far, and its only redeeming value is that close casting with big heavy stuff for bass works pretty well. Maybe a bad day at the plant or a one-off blank but, I use it to knock wasp nests off the house. I bought one of the first generation, multi-piece, Japanese Fenwicks in a 8 ft 5 wt some years back, but felt the blank was too heavy for my liking and sold it to someone here.


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 11:28 • #41 
Guide
Joined: 02/06/16
Posts: 328
Location: US
I've played around with a few Fenwicks, but not much. So far I've had two FF 705's, a 756-4, and a 755. I also have the Fenglass 837, which I love for Bass and Pike. I got rid of all the FF's save for the 755 because I haven't gotten around to finding a new home for it. They are nice rods, but they just don't speak to me that much. Hopefully my new acquisition (1st generation FF60 5wt w/ duel side bands) does get my ear. We'll have to see.


Last edited by Ruff Hunter on 01 Feb 2022, 18:49, edited 1 time in total.

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Post 01 Feb 2022, 11:32 • #42 
Guide
Joined: 06/28/18
Posts: 338
Location: Bozeman, MT
I'm down to two, a ff705 (with a cork, cap & ring reelseat) and a ff84.


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 13:09 • #43 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
My favorite is the FF705 - have 3, 2 are cap & ring and the other is the uplocking cork seat.
Bought the 2nd cap & ring last year as a just in case backup.

PS - I miss scud dog's (OP) contributions here on FFR


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 13:26 • #44 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/16/05
Posts: 2537
Location: Georgia
I have, probably, too many Fenwicks, mostly vintage, but also representatives of the models that appeared about 25 years ago and the most recent Fenglass line. There are some favorites at 8’; the FF807 is a workhorse, the FF79 is great with dries and lighter flies, and the FF80-4 kind of slots in between them, with portability to boot. I feel the swing weight on some longer rods, a 6/7 FF85 and an FF858, but they have their niches. And that’s one of the nice things about old rods, they’re cheap enough that I can hold one to some for limited roles.

Most of my favorite fishing is smaller trout streams, and 7’ 5wts have a lot of virtues there. I’ve come to grab the FF70 over the FF70-4, FG704, and FF705. Not sure there’s an objective reason, it just pleases me more, and the others certainly have enough differences to keep around as niche fillers, loaners, and backups (I’ve broken rods in this fishing a few times, mostly falls). Shorter than 7’, I like the 5’3” 5 wt from the late ‘90s, but that’s a real small niche. Recent acquisitions of FF60 and FF605 need further use to decide on preference, etc.

A couple of others come to mind. The FF756-4 is wonderfully versatile, but kind of relegated to the backup role; in the portability realm, I prefer both the FF70-4 and FF80-4, and the 7’6” length is a good compromise, but if going to use a Fenwick in that length, I’m more likely to grab a FF786, which seems to do better what I want a 6wt in that length range to do.


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 14:27 • #45 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/23/05
Posts: 4966
Location: US-MT
I no longer have any tip over butt Fenwick, I think the old metal ferruled rods as nice, or nicer casters. When I first saw tip over butt Fenwick I thought they were unattractive, and I still kinda feel that way. A 315-4 (7ft 4pc) was gifted to me by a member here years ago, it such a sweet little rod. And a 330 (8.5ft) which is a wonderful 7wt.


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 14:50 • #46 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 1218
Location: Branson, Missouri
Which Fenwick's do you NOT LIKE ?
sorry... the other side must weigh in.

Tongue in cheek - but food for thought.


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 14:56 • #47 
Sport
Joined: 06/23/19
Posts: 83
Location: US-CA
Like: FF756 & FF805


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 19:30 • #48 
Master Guide
Joined: 08/03/14
Posts: 945
Location: central AR
Don’t like ff756-4
Ff856
ff85
Like every other Fenwick I’ve tried.
Really like ff84
Fl-6
Ff807


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Post 01 Feb 2022, 23:34 • #49 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/22/07
Posts: 871
Location: Out West
arknympth: You don't like the FF856...on your 856th post on this forum? Heresy, I say. Hah!

I have owned quite a few Fenwicks, and have fished even more than that (FF535, FF605, FF70, FF70-4, FF706, FF 706-4, FF75, FF756, FF756-4, FF805, FF79, FF806, FF856, FF856-5, FF807, FF857, FF85, FF858, even a couple of yellow Fenwicks built from blanks). I've turned most of them loose over the years, including the FF856 that I really liked and fished the heck out of. Still have an FF705, FF755, FF806-4 and FF 858-5, and these are really nice and very versatile rods in my opinion.

One that I turned loose for cheap that I would like to find again is the FF706-4...since I re-found the place where I "need" that rod.

** Out of all the Fenwicks I have owned or fished, however, the one that had the sweetest tip to butt feel and presentation in my opinion (even though not the most versatile), was the FF75. I have not had the pleasure of trying the 4pc version. Maybe paveglass will send me his FF75-4 to try out for comparison...


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Post 02 Feb 2022, 08:47 • #50 
Master Guide
Joined: 07/26/21
Posts: 383
Location: North West Georgia
My FF70-4 is my hands down favorite fly rod. I fish it as a 6 and it seems capable of doing anything Ill ever want on skinny water. I even picked up a second one that sits in my safe as an insurance policy against the first.

with that being said, the others are, in no particular order - FF705, FF755, FF756-4, FF605, FF856-5, FF85-5, FF75-4, and FF80-4. The FF705 (very rough condition) and the FF755 (promised to an older gentleman at the fly shop) are both on the chopping, they just dont really do it for me.

the others all have a permanent spot. I suspect I could do basically everything I care to do in fresh water with the FF70-4, FF80-4, and the FF85-5. The FF756-4 is a little stiff and fast for my taste even with a 6wt but it moves weight and foam well, casts small streamers well, casts dries and dry droppers well.. you just cant get rid of it. it does too much too well. I like it as a light bass rod but it will do most trout stuff very well too. the FF856-5 is another great generalist but in my hands is more of a 5-6, not a 6-7 like the 756-4. The FF605 has only been out a few times, but on smaller creeks or even larger creeks with relatively smooth flows where getting a good drift isnt hard, it will be a favorite. I plan to have it out in the kayak during the bluegill spawn this year for the heck of it.

Im on the lookout for an FF60, an FF80 for streamers, and maybe an FF85 2 piece to keep some miles and boat rash off of my 85-5.


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