Fenwick

 

For a great history of Fenwick, see Vic Johnson's book of the same title (General Reference 2). If you collect Fenwick rods, you gotta have Vic's book. It covers not only Fenwick history and company ownership, but materials development, fly rods, bass rods, spin rods, and the rest of the product lines. This Wiki page isn't intended as a replacement for the book. Instead, this is more like a supplement. The Fenwick book doesn't really discuss the casting qualities of specific Fenwick fly rods. The goal of this page is to gather information on how these rods compare to other fiberglass fly rods.

 

My personal opinion: I probably fish more with Fenwick rods than any other glass. Because of their technical innovations, Fenwick was the dominant fly rod maker through the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s. Fenwick made in large numbers of glass flyr rods, many of which are still available on the secondary market. As a result, used Fenwicks are often a bargain and you can fish them without fear.

 

If you fish with any of the Fenwick fly rods, please add your opinion of your rod.

 

 

The early Fenwick flyrods (1955-1962)

The blanks were made by Grizzly with Sizematic aluminum ferrules (the ones with O-rings). Vic Johnson's "Fenwick" (General Reference 2) lists at 15 different early model Fenwick rods. To be honest, I know very little about how these rods cast or fish. I suspect these rods are purchased more often for collections than for fishing. However, if you fish with one of these early Fenwicks, please insert a note with model number, length, number of sections, and the line weight you use with it.  These rods had the broader weave fiberglass, nice ferrules and have surprisingly nice action.

 

Model Number Length/ No. Sections Line Weight

315 7 foot, 2 piece 5 wt 2¾ oz This rod feels like the later FF70, sweet caster,

early ones had mylar underwraps, cigar type grip,

trademark Fenwick butt wrap (pave)

320 7½ foot, 2 piece "Light" 6 wt 3¼ oz This rod casts like the later FF756, faster action than

most glass rods. (pave)

 

 

The first generation Feralite flyrods (1963-1971)

The blanks were initially made by Grizzly, but eventually blank production was brought in house (along with Grizzly). These rods had the patented Feralite ferrule, a tip over butt fiberglass arrangement that has since been copied by almost every other rod maker. These rods were generally full flexing and slow (to a modern graphite trained fisherman). Vic Johnson lists at least 30 fly rods. Even then, Fenwick apparently made non-catalog fly rods and gave them a model number. For instance, I have an FF83 that was designed for the Golden Gate casting club. It is lighter version of the FF84, but is not seen in the reference books or catalogs.

 

If you have a first generation Feralite, please insert a note with model number, length, number of sections, and the line weight you use with it. If someone has inserted a line for your favorite rod AND everything there is the same as you would add, then add a little "me too" note at the end of the line. I suspect we use a variety of line weights on these rods - it will be interesting to see.

 

Model Number Length/ No. Sections Line Weight

FF60 6 foot, 2 piece, 5/6 weight (Tom)

FF70 7 foot, 2 piece, 5 weight. Rated for a #6, but I like it a 5 (Tom)

FF70-4 7 foot, 4 piece, 5 weight. Remarkably different than the FF70, much fuller flexing (pave)

FF75 7½ foot, 2 piece, 5 weight (Tom)

FF79 8 foot, 2 piece, 5/6 weight. A great overall rod with a DT5 (Tom)

          6 weight. The best dry fly taper that Fenwick ever made (pave)

FF80 8 foot, 2 piece, 7/8 weight. Deep flexing, slow, for big stuff & bass, but not distance (pave)

FF80-4, 8 foot "Voyageur", 4 piece, 3-3/4 oz., 6 weight. I fish this with a Cortland Peach DT6F. Great casting rod (PflighFission)

FF83 8½ foot, 2 piece, 4/5 weight. Lighter, but not as sweet as the FF84 (Tom)

FF84 8½ foot, 2 piece, 5/6 weight. I like a DT5. Lovely to cast (Tom)

FF85 8½ foot, 2 piece, 7/8 weight

         Excellent bass rod; light in hand yet, has backbone to spare.  Easy caster; will shoot line with the best of

         them however, can work close loaded w/WF8.  (Dane)

FF85-3 8½ foot, 3 piece, 7 weight.

FF86 8½ foot, 2 piece, 6 weight (Tom)

 

 

 

The second generation Feralite flyrods (1972-1988)

These blanks were made from E-glass with the Feralite ferrule. The second generation rods were a bit crisper/ faster than the first generation Feralites. From a combination of eBay watching (and buying) and General References 2, 3, and 4, I've come up with this list of second generation Fenwicks. There may be others out there.

 

If you have a second generation Feralite, please add a note with your opinion and the line weight you use with it. A little "me too" note is OK if you agree with the previous opinion.

 

Model Number Length/ No. Sections Line Weight Rod Weight Notes

FF535 5'3", 2 piece, 5 weight, 1 3/4 oz.

FF605 6 foot, 2 piece, 5 weight, 2 1/8 oz.

FF705 7 foot, 2 piece, 5 weight, 2 5/8 oz. Nice rod, some had uplocking reel seats/cork inserts

FF755 7½ foot, 2 piece, 5 weight, 3 oz. A very sweet rod with DT5 great for drys mine is labled 3 1/8 oz

            (I have seen them with other weights listed on them. Russell)

FF805 8 foot, 2 piece, 5 weight, 3 oz. A really nice DT5 fly rod (Tom)

            I have always thought this was a relabeled FF806 and I like a 6 wt line on it (pave)

            I agree.  Very light in hand; easy caster.  Perfect farm pond rod; great for bluegill; can handle the occasional bass. (Dane)

FF855 8½ foot, 2 piece, 5 weight, 3 5/8 oz.

FF706 7 foot, 2 piece, 6 weight, 2 7/8 oz.  Great kayak rod with a DT6 (Doug)

FF756 7½ foot, 2 piece, 6 weight, 3 oz. Personally, I like this rod with a WF7 (Tom)

             Agree, 6 wt line makes for faster action, a good first rod for former graphite users (pave)

FF756-4 7½ foot, 4 piece, 5/6 weight, 3 oz. I like this with a DT5 (Tom)

FF786 7'8", 2 piece, 6 weight, 3 oz. Later sold as the FL-6 by Fenwick Woodstream...nice rod.  I like this rod with a WF6, great dry fly rod (Doug)

FF806 8 foot, 2 piece, 6 weight, 3 1/2 oz. The all purpose Fenwick rod, can do it all (Tom)

FF856 8½ foot, 2 piece, 6 weight, 3 3/8 oz.

FF856-5 8½ foot, 5 piece, 6 weight, 3 1/2 oz.

FF807 8 foot, 2 piece, 7 weight, 3 3/8 oz. Great 7 weight, there is no reason NOT to have one. (Tom)

FF837 8'3", 2 piece, 7 weight, 3 1/2 oz. A stretched FF807 (Tom)

            Later sold as an FL-7 by Fenwick-Woodstream (pave)

FF857 8½ foot, 2 piece, 7 weight, 3 3/4 oz. Will work fine with a 7 or 8 weight line (Tom)

FF858 8½ foot, 2 piece, 8 weight, 3 7/8 oz.

FF858-5 8½ foot, 5 piece, 8 weight, ? oz.

FF908 9 foot, 2 piece, 8 weight, 4 1/2 oz.

FF909 9 foot, 2 piece, 9 weight, 4 1/4 oz.

FF9010 9 foot, 2 piece, 10 weight, 4 1/2 oz.

FF9012 9 foot, 2 piece, 12 weight, ? Possibly made from S-glass (ref B, 1988, Tom)

FF9310 9'3", 2 piece, 10 weight, ? oz.

FF9311 9'3", 2 piece, 11 weight, ? oz.

 

 

The Fenglass flyrods (around 2000)

In about 2000 (?), Fenwick revived the fiberglass flyrod with the Fenglass line. These blanks were made from E-glass with the Feralite ferrule. However, the rods were made in China with Western style grips. The Fenglass rods had a list price of $100 (but did not sell well, even at that bargain price). If you know of additional models, please add them to the list.

 

Model Number Length/ No. Sections Line Weight

FF535-2 5'3" , 2 piece, 4/5 weight

FF605-2 6 foot, 2 piece, 5 weight. Good up close rod with a 5 weight line (Tom)

FF765-2 7½ foot, 2 piece, 5 weight.

FF766-4 7½ foot, 4 piece, 6 weight, with 3 3/4 oz listed on the rod (just saw this on eBay - Tom)

FF866 8½ foot, 2 piece, 6 weight, considered the "dog" of this line

FF868 8½ foot, 2 piece, 8 weight, only produced in the first production year (very scarce?)

 

 

The three 5 weights have a devoted following.

 

 

The Asian Fenwicks (current production) There is currently a line of Fenwick rods for sale in Asia. These rods are covered on the Japanese Fiberglass Flyrods page.

 

 

Additional references: A) Personal rod collection

                                    B) Fenwick rod blank catalogs from 1976 and 1988