I have been seeing FF85's that are marked differently than mine. For example one is marked for a 7/8 WT (4 1/8 oz. "I" serial # with thin flat
braid) and another one marked a 7-8-9 WT (4 ?/8 oz "F"serial # with the very thin braid). I am wondering why the FF85 picked up weight and morphed
into a rod for heavier lines. My FF85 is a 3 3/4 oz. "D" serial # marked for a 6/7 line. Were the heavier FF85 line ratings possibly due to
changes in the fiberglass composition or was it just a marketing decision as Fenwick's model line broadened?
photo by jgestar Very early Fenwick FF84 |
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Morphing FF85's ?
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 Duff |
Morphing FF85's ? |
Lead | |
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Master Guide
Posts: 421 (01/26/09 23:21:09) |
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 jgestar |
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Posts: 3203 (01/26/09 23:48:25) ezOP |
I think the rods changed. I've noticed quite a few of the very early Fenwicks seem to have different ratings than the later models. Some heavier, some
lighter. For instance I have an early FF84 that is rated for a WF7 and a much later version rated for a 5/6. The earlier rod has a much larger diameter at
the grip than the later version, so the design definitely changed. The second generation rods with three digit model numbers seem to be much more consistent.
Tom |
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Winglas |
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Sport
Posts: 56 (02/26/09 12:44:04) |
I have a FF85 "B" series which has hand printed in black ink forward of the white eagle ff85 8 1/2 '
3 3/4 oz. DT6F-HCH |
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fred1369 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 44 (05/25/09 09:16:41) |
I have seen FF85's marked as 7-8-9 (4-1/8oz) and 6-7 (3-3/4oz) and unmarked 3-3/4oz.... could it be possible that the lighter 3-3/4oz FF85's were the
beginning development of the FF86... Jimmy Green was always working on the tapers. I have seen FF75's for a #5 and a #5-6... the same with FF84's...
The earlier years mostly, after "K" serials, the line designations became pretty standard. I have always found Fenwick to be pretty accurate with
their line designations...
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16 pmd |
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Sport
Posts: 30 (05/25/09 23:38:03) |
Fred is exactly right - Jim Green was constantly improving the tapers and sometimes drove the factory nuts with his frequent changes. Line weights also
depended on whether the FF85 was two piece or three. In my opinion, the 3 piece FF85 for 6-7-8 lines, was one of the best casting Fenwicks ever made. Jim made
casting the whole 90' of line look easy with that rod. There is an old Fenwick casting movie in which Jim is shown in slow motion casting about 60' of
line with an effortless compact stroke as the line rolls out smoothly in a perfect flat loop - as beautiful as casting ever gets - using an FF85.
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kitefly |
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Sport
Posts: 7 (09/20/09 01:07:27) |
I think I read in another post that FF85s were used for world record 120 foot casts in the early 70's, who knows what line they used to get that? I have a
K serial FF85 that is hand lettered in white with no line designation. For a rod of that vintage (71-73) I kind of expected for it to run best at 8 wt, but I
really am getting better accuracy and distance with a 7 wt. I suspect it may have been made at that time with an older blank, maybe even a special order at the
time they were moving to the second generation, 3-digit rods (or maybe its just my style). Ultimately, considering both what Tom and Fred say about the
differences in early versions and that today's lines perform "up" a bit, anyone having one marked with multiple weights will have to experiment a
bit to find what suits them.
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beauglass |
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Master Guide
Posts: 677 (09/20/09 08:55:40) |
I've got a "G" serial numbered FF85 that's marked as 4 1/8 oz. for 7-8-9 wt lines. I use an SA Headstart WF8F on it and it is my most
enjoyable rod to cast. Pearow had one that he said didn't cast anything like mine. I'm not sure what line wt his was designated for. I wish I could
find a 6wt taper that has the same "feel".
It's time to turn over a new fly.
DF Furled Leaders.com |
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fred1369 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 197 (09/24/09 17:08:45) |
beauglass- the FF86 has that same feel, they are hard to find though... sometimes the earlier FF85's had a DT6 rating, something to look for... -Fred
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paveglass |
FF 84 | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 824 (09/24/09 19:19:37) |
You might keep your eye out for an FF 84. Mine is 8 1/2 ft 4 1/8 oz and rated for DT5F -HDH. It is a very early blond colored, wide weave Fenwick but it is a
marvelous 5wt spring creek rod.
Donny |
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beauglass |
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Master Guide
Posts: 686 (09/26/09 18:23:49) |
Thanks for the info guys. I'll be sure to keep a eye on the bay...
It's time to turn over a new fly.
DF Furled Leaders.com |
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- Welcome, Messages, Claves, News, and FAQs
- Fishing with Fiberglass Fly Rods
- Glass Tech
- Collecting Fiberglass Fly Rods
- What's New on the Market
- Rod Pictures
- Classic Fly Reels
- Another Spin on Glass
- Rod Building & Tackle Tinkering
- The Tying Bench
- Fiberglass Fly Rods For Sale
- Fiberglass Fly Rods Wanted
- Fiberglass Flyrodders Wiki
