Help with ID of fiberglass Fenwick Rod?

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Wee Hooker

Help with ID of fiberglass Fenwick Rod?

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Posts: 440

11/03/09 09:55:55

Guide

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Hey you glass guys, my x boss came into work with a pair of custom built Fenwick flyrods that are of unknown line weight. Both built in the 80's (or so he remembers), bout brown fiberglass with spiggot ferules. The 9' er has a very fat butt but it's very light weight for a glass rod. It is two piece, slow action and has the code 1082 on a decal. I'm thinking it "feels" like and 8 wt but the code makes no sence to me. THe other is 8' , 2 pc and has the same slow action and light feel and has no code at all. Wonderign if anybody has any info on what these rods could be.
(p.s. Yes, i will test cast tehm with various lines but I'm trying to get a head start. I don't know squat about glass.)

Thanks in advance!
Dave.

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albcorb

#1

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Posts: 30

11/03/09 16:37:53

Not sure but I think the number translates as 108"(9') 2 piece. I had found a site for vintage fenwick but haven't found it since.If it had an additional number it would be the power classification or line weight, sorry but that's all I have.
Alan

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spinzo

#2

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Posts: 1241

11/03/09 18:27:04

Master Guide

Found this on another site... seems helpful, so I copied to paste (oh, and it seems, based on how I read the below, that the blanks weren't fly rod blanks, so they are probably able to handle more than an 8 weight... just a guess):

E means they're made from E-glass, not "Fenglass" which is what Fenwick called their S-glass material. E-glass means lower modulus and thicker blank walls. They were either the same mustad yellow as Lamiglas E-glass sticks, or white.

The SU series were chochlate brown Fenglass.

The "F" suffix on the ESU 114 means two-piece. I would guess the F meant "ferrule"

Fenwick used a similar product code to Lamiglas. The first three numbers of the blank model means the length in inches (I'm wondering on that 114F, is it really 11' and if so, why it varies from the code?). The last number denoted the power rating when compared to other blanks in the same Fenwick series (SU= surf).

For example, SU 1082 would mean a 9' Fenglass blank of very light power. Probably something along the lines of 1/2 to 1-1/2 or 2 oz casting weight.

The star of that show is the ESU 1326

You'd have something roughly equivalent to a Lami SB 136 2F. Figure 2-5 oz.

Last Edited By: spinzo 11/03/09 18:29:29. Edited 1 time.

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Wee Hooker

#3

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Posts: 440

11/04/09 13:41:38

Guide

Thanks, My BAd. The code was actually FL1082. I figured the FL was for Feralite (SP?) which I think was the name for Fenwicks lightweight glass layup blanks but am not sure. ( This one has a but section that's got to be near 3/4"in D but very light.in weight) Blank is brown. I also assumed, like albcorb, that the 108 was length and the 2 was # of pieces. That's pretty standard code still today with rod manufacturers. That still leave the line weight missing though. I'm thiking it should ahve read FL10892 if it was a 9' 8 wt, 2pc.
Anyway, I just lawn cast the rod with a WF8F/I line. It cast OK but I think it needs a Wf9 as despite the rods softness, it doesn't load up much. BTW, I'm still not a glass fan but I have to say that the lightness of this rod does make it fishable for me. It would be interesting to catch something decient on it.

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WetFlyAction.fiberglassflyro...

#4

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Posts: 7

12/03/09 00:00:07

If you haven't already, post this over on fiberglass flyrodders and someone will be able to give you more info than I can.

Fenwick generally labled their blanks FL (fly) then the length in inches just as you guessed, then usually the line weight. Sometimes followed by an F which stood for "ferruled". They sold many as one piece and left it to the builder to ferrule as they saw fit.

You may be right about the 9 foot rod, Fenwick made very few 9' glass and I believe they were all 9 or 10 weights. All I can tell you about the 8 footer is that it is a 5, 6, or 7 weight.

One more thing, do they say Fenwick or have the Logo? Because Lamiglas also had very similar model numbers. They had an FL108-7m for example. Old Lamiglas blanks are more of a caramel color while the Fenwicks will be dark brown, or bright yellow. Also Lamiglas used spigot ferrules extensively.

Hope this helps.

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Stonefly.fiberglassflyro...

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#5

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Posts: 12

01/22/10 09:57:26

I looked in an old blank catalogue and the FL at the beginning stands for flyrod.I can't find a 1082 listed but that may be an older blank than my catalogues have listed.If the diameter of the butt is as large as you say it has to be a nine wt. or better. It is definitely a blank number and not a rod number in my opinion.I don't think Fenwick had spigot ferrules though. I've got afactory FF108 and it's a nine ft. 9 wt. It also has a butt of 3/4" diameter.If your rod is made with the same blank, an eight wt. is definitely too light.This thing is a bit of a bear and would probably throw a ten wt. and possibly an eleven weight at short distances. The rod weighs 4 7/8 ounces, but it doesn't really feel that heavy.Try the 8 wt. with a 5 or a 6 wt. line.Be careful though, fiberglass can get to be an addiction.

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Stonefly.fiberglassflyro...

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#6

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Posts: 12

01/22/10 09:59:49

I meant to say try the 8 footer with a 5 or 6 wt line.

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Wee Hooker

#7

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Posts: 440

02/17/10 06:55:19

Guide

Turns out he had the guy who built him the rods get him reels and matching lines. ( He forgot as it was 25-30 years ago) The heavier rod was rigged with a Phluger 1498 medalist and a WF10F line. The smaller/lighter a 1495 with a variaty of 6 wts. The reels were still in their origional box and plastic bags when he brought them to me!
Anyway, we lawn cast teh rods an I have to say I was impressed. The 10 wt in particular felt light and was not fatiguing at all. ( unlike other glass rods i've cast/swore off.) Anyway, he'll be fishing them soon .
Thanks
Dave

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JeffSod

#8

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Posts: 844

02/17/10 07:00:09

Registered Member

Spigot ferruled blanks were mostly made by Fisher and I have yet to cast one of their rods I didn't like. And most of the Fenwicks I have cast or read about are well received too. Either way it should be a fine fishing rod.

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Help with ID of fiberglass Fenwick Rod?

Help with ID of fiberglass Fenwick Rod?