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Post 07 Feb 2011, 18:41 • #1 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
I've just updated the Steffen Brothers Fly Rods Wiki page. I had a great chat with Mark last week and he is happily building fly rods. As usual, Mark has more rod models available than are listed on his website. As far as I can tell, the new Wiki page covers his current offerings.

Last year, Mark ordered some new mandrels with different tapers. He set about designing new rods and redesigning some that he thought could be better. One such rod that he is now very pleased with is his 8 foot, 4/5 weight. Mark also designed an all new 8'6", 6/7 weight that he feels is excellent. Lugan posted earlier in this forum about his experiences with the new 7 foot, 5 weight. The Steffen Brothers rod models now range from a dainty 5'6", 1/2 weight to a husky 8'6", 10/11 weight.

In the last couple of months, Mark changed from Belinger reelseats to Struble. Otherwise, he builds rods with the same components as the past. He tells me his current waiting time for a rod build is 2-4 months, depending on whether or not he has the rod blank already available.

Tom


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Post 08 Feb 2011, 03:41 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/24/06
Posts: 1507
Location: Beautiful View, WA
You forgot two models:

7'9" 5/6wt. Spencer and I each got one last year.

7'9" 4/5. I have one on order. OK, this one isn't, strictly speaking, a production model yet. But it will be in about a month or two.

Anyway, thanks for posting all of that Tom!


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Post 08 Feb 2011, 03:51 • #3 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
True. I only put rods in the table at 6 inch increments. Mark can make any of his rods slightly longer or shorter. He told me the maximum length he can do is 8'6".

Tom


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Post 08 Feb 2011, 11:16 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/09/09
Posts: 2796
Location: US-NM
I talked to Mark checking on a rod today and he said that he would be doing some RD on short light line rods something which he was not to keen on in the past,this is good news ... aurelio


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Post 08 Feb 2011, 18:24 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/09/05
Posts: 2069
Location: Monroe, WA
Lugan123 wrote:
You forgot two models:

7'9" 5/6wt. Spencer and I each got one last year.

7'9" 4/5. I have one on order. OK, this one isn't, strictly speaking, a production model yet. But it will be in about a month or two.

Anyway, thanks for posting all of that Tom!
i am a big fan of the 7'9" length in fiberglass! kinda that "just right" size IMO.


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Post 09 Feb 2011, 05:00 • #6 
FFR Founder
Joined: 06/07/05
Posts: 792
Location: US-MA
I would like to add that although not mentioned on his website, Mark has been willing to ship me one piece blanks. The 6' 2/3 weight in one piece is really exceptional. If your looking for a home waters rod, consider a one piece. The 6 footer will fit in almost any automobile (ok, maybe not a "smart" car ). Alec


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Post 09 Feb 2011, 11:17 • #7 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/05/11
Posts: 702
Location: US-FL
Has anyone used the larger fly rods? Im Florida and I fish for Snook, Redfish ,Jacks. I considering a larger rod for these species.


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Post 09 Feb 2011, 11:41 • #8 
FFR Founder
Joined: 06/07/05
Posts: 792
Location: US-MA

I built one of Marks graphite 8 weights with the blue deluxe finish for a good friend. Three piece. It is an outstanding rod. The same exceptional and smooth casting qualities that are found in his glass rods are shared with his graphite models. He is a very talented man. Alec



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Post 09 Feb 2011, 11:49 • #9 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/05/11
Posts: 702
Location: US-FL
I was thinking more in the range of fiberglass ...


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Post 10 Feb 2011, 08:44 • #10 
FFR Founder
Joined: 06/07/05
Posts: 792
Location: US-MA
Sorry - I had forgotten he was offering the heavier glass now! Alec


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Post 26 Feb 2011, 09:31 • #11 
New Member
Joined: 04/05/10
Posts: 13
Let us know about that 7'9" 4/5 weight when you've had time to fish it? I imagine it will be just awesome.


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Post 02 Dec 2011, 11:33 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3081
Location: Orygun
I look forward to additional reviews of his heavier line weights ...


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Post 11 Dec 2011, 13:31 • #13 
Master Guide
Joined: 08/03/06
Posts: 554
Location: US-OR
About a a year and a half ago there was talk of M. Steffen making a 'slower' or more medium 8'6" 5/6wt or 4/5wt. Does anyone know he he ever made another taper for this configuration?


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Post 13 Dec 2011, 03:33 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/25/09
Posts: 2319
Boo,
Not sure that he did, doesn't show up on his website. Give him a call, he has always been very helpful to me.

Dusty


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Post 21 Dec 2011, 21:16 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 07/05/10
Posts: 5229
Location: Mid Hudson Valley of New York
Quote:
I talked to Mark checking on a rod today and he said that he would be doing some RD on short light line rods

Aurelio, or anyone else out there that may know -- any news on this from Mark?

- Pat


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Post 25 Dec 2011, 09:38 • #16 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/09/09
Posts: 2796
Location: US-NM
Pat, i will be getting a couple of rods to try from Mark this spring.I know he went to Idaho this summer on vacation and took some short and longer light line rods to try.You can always call him to see what's going on ... aurelio


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Post 31 Jan 2012, 00:53 • #17 
Sport
Joined: 02/19/08
Posts: 37
Location: Slovenia
@ultraman1

I have 8'6'' #10-11 fly rod. It is very smooth rod with deep bend under the load, I think it is more parabolic as compared to Mark lighter line rods. It can cast a whole line if needed (not needed). I use it with Tenny 300 grain sink tip so I think that it is probably more 10 weight than 11.

P.S.:My small girl in my Avatar holds this rod :-)

Janez


Last edited by janezb on 08 Feb 2012, 06:13, edited 2 times in total.

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Post 31 Jan 2012, 11:36 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/25/09
Posts: 2319
A 10 weight glass rod sounds like a lot of fun.


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Post 19 Mar 2012, 07:58 • #19 
Administrator
Joined: 07/17/06
Posts: 5599
Location: South Carolina
I know for a fact the 8' 8/9 weight is a keeper. Casts in close but can air out an entire fly line in the right people's hands ... though not mine. I hit a wall at 70 feet which is my own casting mistakes and not the fly rod.


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Post 26 Apr 2012, 08:20 • #20 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/09/09
Posts: 2796
Location: US-NM
Got a 6' 3wt. from Mark which was made on a different mandrel than my first one,and what a sweet rod much smoother and felt great in close out to 35' should make a fine dry fly rod for some of the tiny creeks i fish ... aurelio


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Post 26 Apr 2012, 09:12 • #21 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/05/07
Posts: 2153
Location: West Virginia
Aurelio, what kind of reel seat is Mark putting on those short rods?


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Post 26 Apr 2012, 12:17 • #22 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/24/06
Posts: 1507
Location: Beautiful View, WA
Ah, so the rumored re-design of Mark's shorties has progressed! That's very good to hear.

And once again, my wallet quivers in fear (or is it excitement?).


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Post 26 Apr 2012, 13:38 • #23 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/09/09
Posts: 2796
Location: US-NM
Duff, he put a wood down locker and with my ryobi 255 it was still to heavy in the butt so i sent it back if it was a cork reelseat it never would have went back.Tom the rod handled a 3wt. really well and some wind,this rod will not fish as big as my scott F2 653 but will be used with small dries on small brushy creeks ... aurelio


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Post 26 Apr 2012, 16:11 • #24 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/03/07
Posts: 1152
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
I just ordered a 7'9" 5/6 from Mark (thanks Lugan! ) and can't understand his disdain for cork reel seats. I didn't want the fancy wood seat so instead ordered it with the all aluminum seat, which looks very similar to the old Powell reel seat. Mark is very high on these and said they're very light and have a nice, classic look with his rods.


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Post 26 Apr 2012, 17:12 • #25 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/09/09
Posts: 2796
Location: US-NM
He's having trouble getting the cork reel seats ... aurelio


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