Favorite Steffen Bros. Rod

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LeoCreek	Favorite Steffen	#21	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 173 (11/29/08 17:07:16) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	My Steffen 8' 3-4 3pc is just such a smooth, sweet, yet semi-crisp glass rod. What a pleasure to fish with dries and wets on the smaller upper reaches of a Rocky Mountain river for cutthroat and anything else that happens along. Great fun with the typical small to mid-size fish of mid to late summer, but also have fantastic memories of large post-spawn cutts in early summer. Just because it's so much fun to fish in the places I love the most is why it got my vote in this poll. My Steffen 8'6" 5-6 4pc is much more versatile and a great rod for lakes and rivers, and is hard to beat. I have a Steffen 7'9" 3-4 4pc blank that I hope to build this winter, which may turn out to be a tad more versatile in some respects than the 8' 3-4 3pc, so it may end up being my favorite in the long run...we'll see. But I'm starting to come back around to thinking that the 3pc design may be the smoothest of all, all else being equal. I know that many feel a 2pc or 1pc with fewer/no ferrules would be the ultimate for smoothness, but there's just something about a well-made 3pc.... I know that with modern ferrule design that it really doesn't make very much difference, but the 3pc Steffen, as well as some of the finer 3pc graphite rods I've owned (Scott G, Thomas, etc.) sure do have a refined smooth feel to them. Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving and were able to spend some time with family this weekend! Tom G.
scud dog		#22	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 1088 (11/29/08 17:26:17) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tom G., What lines are you fishing on your rods? Cameron, The 8'6" 5/6 sounds like a winner. That said, I agree with Alistair. I have a pair of T&T LPS rods I've kept for those windy days out west. Nothing wrong with having BOTH (lol). Jeff; ANY Steffen you get should be a winner. PS: I'm STUNNED to see a banner proclaiming us the #16 FF site on-line!
LeoCreek	Lines	#23	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 174 (11/30/08 11:13:37) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I've been fishing an SA Air Cel (the old standard pale green one) in a DT4F, and also a Cortland 333 WF4F on the Steffen 8' 3-4 for the most part. I did fish a Cortland peach 444 DT4F on it a couple of times and really like that line a lot, but gave it to a friend on a reel when he was in need. I do have a DT3F Rio Classic and a WF4F Cortland Clear Creek that I need to spool up and try with the Steffen. I'm not sure if it's the rod, or just me making subconscious adjustments to the casting stroke when using different lines (since I have such a variety of rods from faster graphite to slower glass), but the rod doesn't seem very picky as to which line I use on it at all. I did cast a Cortland 333 WF3F on it shortly after building the rod, but decided I liked it better with a 4wt...but am going to have to give it more time with a 3wt over the next couple of summers. The 8'6" 5-6 I've only fished a few times so far. On several lakes I was using WF6 full sinking lines in type III mostly, but also type II. It handled these very well, including some larger fish. But it still let's me have fun with smaller fish too. I tried 3 floating lines on a good sized river (SA Air Cel DT6F, SA GPX WF5F, and Rio Nymph WF5F) and the rod handled them all well. I happened to have the SA GPX on when I needed to reach out with a dry fly on some casts, and was able to toss some longer casts with surprising ease. This is a great glass nymphing rod, with both a lot of backbone and real finesse. It's a bit light for throwing big heavy streamers like size 4 or size 2 (but that is what a 7wt is for), but it's really one of the gems from Mark Steffen. I'd like to try the 5-6 in an 8' length sometime for comparison, but am really happy with the 8'6" since I mostly use it on larger waters and lakes. It seems that a lot of folks have more specific tastes on what model, taper and line weight make a particular rod shine. Wish I could be more help! Tom G.
jbenenson		#24	[-]
Sport Posts: 41 (12/11/08 06:51:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I use the 7'6" 4 wt 3 pc rod that I built on one of Mark's blanks. Being a rod builder I have a gazillion rods: bamboo, fiberglass, and graphite. The McFarland rod is my first choice for the medium to small streams that we have in northern New Mexico. You can see photos of it at http://fiberglassflyrodde...yuku.com/topic/6133 It is a sweet, sensitive rod. Last Edited By: jbenenson 12/11/08 06:56:47. Edited 1 times.
Kluff33	Steffens	#25	[-]
Sport Posts: 7 (12/12/08 18:03:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Glad to see the Steffen Bros. rod discussion. I bought an 8' 3", 5/6wt., 5 piece rod from him a couple of years ago and can't seem to love it. I am an experienced, mediocre, caster who favors medium to medium-fast graphite rods, and thought I would try fiberglass. I love my garage sale Wonderod (6'6" Purist No.FY-A 910UL). I also own a FF-70 Fenwick that I have the same problems with as the Steffen. I can cast straight and accurately with them but feel like it takes too much work, and isn't as enjoyable as it should be. I tried heavier reels and it helped. I wonder if a different style(faster) rod would help (Phillipson, McFarland,etc.) or am I barking up the wrong tree. Love reading this forum everyday, John
clarkman23		#26	[-]
Guide Posts: 101 (12/14/08 08:15:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	scud dog wrote: PS: I'm STUNNED to see a banner proclaiming us the #16 FF site on-line! Where did you see that?
jgestar		#27	[-]
Posts: 3052 (12/14/08 11:14:44) ezOP Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Scroll to the very bottom of the page, in the lower left corner. It is a type of visitor counter. I'm attempting to get web traffic data independent of the Yuku system. The reality is we are about #15 in this particular companies visitor stats for fly fishing sites. If you could take ALL fly fishing sites, we certainly wouldn't make the top 15. Tom
Cameron		#28	[-]
Posts: 2984 (01/17/09 07:21:24) Administrator & Chat Room Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I talked to Mark Steffen yesterday on the phone and along with having a few interesting fiberglass blank projects going on, he's caught up on orders and can get a blank or a finished rod to those interested pretty quick right now. He is great to talk to and worth a phone call if you have any questions. It certainly made me wonder why I am holding off on the 8 1/2 foot 5/6 weight blank right now. I had to keep reminding myself...KAYAK...KAYAK...KAYAK... http://www.TheFiberglassManifesto.com/
jgestar		#29	[-]
Posts: 3161 (01/17/09 09:38:28) ezOP Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	No wonder Mark was chuckling when I called yesterday. He had to deal with both of us! Mark's webpage is a little behind only with regards to the rod models he will build (the Wiki page has a fairly complete listing). The prices are up to date. As Cameron indicated, he's keeping busy and caught up. Tom
HouzeHead		#30	[-]
Guide Posts: 134 (01/17/09 10:02:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I can't really say enough good things about my Steffen blank rod. It is a 7.5' that can handle a 4, 5 or 6 depending on the application and distance required. Great rod for the streams I usually fish. I need another. This thread needed a pic. HH
scud dog		#31	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 1152 (01/18/09 07:02:13) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	HH, looks like a nice build (it deserves more pics)! You're tossing a 4,5 and 6? Which blank is that? What other blank do you have your eye on?
BlueDunn		#32	[-]
Guide Posts: 26 (01/18/09 08:34:48) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hi- This is an interesting thread as I just purchased and am awaiting delivery on Mark's 8' 5/6, 3-piece and a 7'6" 3/4, 3-piece. When I ordered these 2 rods I only had recommendations to go on and reading all these great things help me to get a better understanding of his rods before they arrive. Thanks all!
corlay		#33	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 769 (04/13/09 13:21:54) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	out of curiosity, does Mark do a 4/5wt. rod? The listing in this poll jumps from 3/4 to 5/6. "From my observations I think that most of us spend too much time worrying about our tackle and too little time learning the intimate characteristics of the fish and streams we fish most." - Ray Bergman Trout, New York: Knopf 1938
pemmel		#34	[-]
Sport Posts: 9 (04/13/09 13:31:55) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Houzehead, This topic needs MORE pictures of Steffen Bros. builds. Yours was a start but, I would like to see more pics of yours. I have a 8' 3/4 weight, 3 piece blank coming anytime and I need more ideas for the build. I have several but, nothing set in stone.
frogmorton		#35	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 258 (04/13/09 16:42:11) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'm pretty sure Mark will do a 4/5 though now that you mention it I don't recall ever hearing of one. I've been mulling over ordering an 8' 4/5.
LeoCreek	Steffen 8' 4-5	#36	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 179 (04/15/09 12:30:09) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I built a Steffen 8' 3-4 3pc that I dearly love (so smooth, fluid and fun to fish), and then built the 8'6" 5-6 4pc which is a fantastic versatile glass rod with a lot of touch and feel. The last one I built was an 8' 4-5 4pc which I've only fished once so far. I like the rod a lot personally, even though Mark Steffen wasn't as impressed with this particular model as with his other tapers for some reason. When he made this blank for me about a year and half ago, he said he'd been playing with a 3pc rod he built on this blank, and still wasn't too sure how much he liked it. At the time, he said the blank he made for me might turn out to be the only one out there, but we all know how these things go...as Mark is a great guy and will try to make up just about anything anyone wants within reason. I plan to fish the 8' 4-5 more this early summer on the upper reaches of a river that has some good sized post-spawn trout, where I fish dries, soft hackles, nymphs and small to mid-sized streamers. Even though it's more full flexing, this model reminds me quite a bit of an old Scott G 845/5 8'4" 5wt 5pc San Fran rod I have for this type of fishing. It would also be a real fun rod for dries and nymphs with floating and intermediate lines on small lakes, and would probably be a nice panfish rod with small poppers. I like the rod with a DT5F Air Cel line I have on my reel, and plan to mostly use it as a 5wt. Although I won't hesitate to try out some 4wt lines on it, so may decide I like it as a 4wt, too. Anyway, for what it's worth, here a couple of photos I took of my home built Steffen 8' 4-5 when I first assembled it. Tom G.
pemmel		#37	[-]
Sport Posts: 10 (04/15/09 14:01:12) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	LeoCreek, Is that wrapped with orange / black varigated thread? I have a Steffen Brothers, 8', 3-4 wt., 3 piece blank coming and I am planning on using the orange / black varigated thread. From the looks of your rod, I am choosing a great color of the rod. Thanks for posting the pictures. Hopefully my build will look as sharp as yours. Last Edited By: pemmel 04/15/09 14:05:25. Edited 1 times.
LeoCreek	Thread	#38	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 180 (04/15/09 20:05:01) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Pemmel, Yes, I used Gudebrod #521 Classic Twist black/orange 001/221. My photo doesn't do it justice, but I think it looks great on this chestnut brown blank. I used 2 coats of color preserver and 2 coats of Threadmaster Lite finish. I also used the black/orange twist on my 8' 3-4 Steffen, and used black/scarlet (red) twist on my 8'6" 5-6 Steffen (not quite as subtle as the black/orange, but very nice looking). On a side note, I hope you'll really like your 8' 3-4. Mine has become my most pleasureable rod to fish! I have couple of McFarland blanks and one more Steffen blank that I purchased before I got married, which I hope to build up this next winter. I'm looking forward to my first McFarland! Tom G.
scud dog		#39	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 1362 (04/15/09 20:14:04) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tom, Wraps look good and so does the inscription. I especially like your reel seat choice! Did you lathe the wood? What kind of and wood is that? -SD
LeoCreek	Reel seat	#40	[-]
Master Guide Posts: 181 (04/15/09 20:41:16) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I wish I could take credit for lathing this reel seat insert myself, but I purchased it on ebay. All I had to do was ream it out, along with the little butt (hard wood, and a lot of work though), and assemble it. It's Australian lace sheoak (whatever that is!) according to Dave Winslow (davewinslow) at ebay. I've also purchased a couple of very nice reel seats from Les Freiborg (insertbyles). Tom G.

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