Thanks for the help!
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| logo by Silver Doctor |
Featured Topic History of Fiberglass at Winston | |
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henrysdad.clarksclassicfl... |
opinions on steffens 8'6" 5/6 glass |
Lead | |
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I am considering a longer glass blank to build a rod for those occassions when I am looking to keep more line off the water or highstick nymphs. I definitely
don't want anything heavier than a 5 weight, and I want a rod that is a true full working 5 weight, even up close. McFarland isn't an option as he is
out of my price range, even though I know his rods have a tremendous reputation. Lamiglas doesn't make anything longer than 8'. I have a couple of the
Lami honeys in shorter length and really like their action. I am considering Mark's 8'6" 5/6, but I keep hearing that Steffen's rods are
fast....anybody have one of his longer rods who can comment please? I have also heard that Mark may be able to make a rod to my specifications, so far as
action?
Thanks for the help! |
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gearboy |
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I have this same rod and would like to order several more of Mark's in the future. I love that Mark rolls his own blanks, which to me get very high marks
in today's glass world.
It's reasonably light at about 3.7 oz, depending on your choice of reel seat. I got the budget seat, which maybe a hair lighter than the Bellinger. The closest example of the casting characteristics of this rod would be the three digit Fenwick series, like the FF805 or FF806. I wouldn't rate this rod as a fast rod or a slow rod, but is a perfect medium action rod that shines beautifully. Also, Mark is great to deal with and is a super nice guy to boot. At $295 for a basic two piece rod today, using his own blank, that's still a heck of a deal. Last I spoke with Mark he told me he's finishing rods from order to delivery in about 3-4 months. And I prefer it with a WF6.
Last Edited By: gearboy
11/06/09 12:42:03.
Edited 1 times.
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Boo |
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I had a Steffen 8 1/2' 5/6 and thought it was a fast 5wt [for glass] and a more medium/fast rod with a 6wt. By fast I mean less flexing and less feel with
a 5wt. But, it has a quick recovery vs other glass rods, imo. I definitely liked it more with a 6wt. I do like his retro look, too. I emailed Mark about making
a tad slower 8 1/2 true 5wt. I never heard back from him. I have a McFarland 8 1/2' 5wt which is on the slow side of medium and sounds like the rod you
would like. I love it! It's one of my favorites. I'd order another blank if he was making them. So, you could save your pennies and order one [I'd
get one, too]. But, let's be honest getting one in hand is frustrating. ; > [
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tabornatives |
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I have a 8ft Steffen 5/6 and it is the nicest casting glass rod I have had. I have been told that the 8'6" has the same feel. Fast is subjective, but
so is "nicest". I wouldn't call it fast by any stretch of the imagination. Heck, all of glass these rods feel differently with different lines of
the same weight designation.
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scud dog |
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Henry's D: I fish a pair of Steffens and fish them hard. You said you like your Lamis and I couldn't help but think about the South Fork honey rods.
The blanks are made for them by Lami and there's a 9'0" #5 in the line up. They're also having a promo for board members right now.
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henrysdad.clarksclassicfl... |
South Fork rods | ||
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Thanks for the tip re South Fork Rods and the 9'0 5 wt...I had heard of them but had fogotten their rods appear to be made by Lamiglas. Have you ever
casted the 9' 5 wt South Fork Lami or know anyone who has? I have heard the longer Lami's get kind of "clunky" longer than 7'6",
but of course, defining rod action is such a personal thing...it's also looking like this might be my only option for anything longer than 8' in glass
that is a true 5 wt, at least in my price range..seems like the concensus on the 8'6" Steffens is that is more of a 6wt.
Thanks again for your assistance. Tom |
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JOHN WALLACE.ultralightflyfi... |
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I have the 8'6" 5/6wt and it is one of the best I've have ever casted and fish with. I would call him and talk to him. I'm going to get
another one.
Please remember that one man's idea of a great rod is another one's piece of junk. Everone is different and cast different, so I would call or cast if you can the different rods to be sure. If you can call around and ask all the question you can so you can decide. Good Luck! |
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Flytackle |
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I have a Steffen 8.5' 5/6 that I built from a blank. It is a great rod and I do not think you would be dissapointed with one. I built mine using Aetna
foul-proof guides and generally cast a Wulff WF5F with it. It is a treat to fish. Alec
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streamcaster |
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Since "fast," medium fast," "nicest," and so on are so subjective, I'll ask name a rod I know about and ask how this compares
to it. So, how does the Steffen feel in comparison with the Fenwick FF856/Ff855 or the FF84 ? I have the FF856, and I think of it as a medium-fast rod. I
feel the tug of loading only when the 6 weight line is 35 or 40 feet out. I'm assuming the FF855 feels the same way with a 5 weight. To me, the FF84 is
a medium or medium-slow rod; I feel almost the whole shaft get into the act at about 25 feet with the 6 weight. It would be much more a 5 weight for me.
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fred1369 |
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The FF856 is a true 6wt. The Steffen 5/6 is more of a 5wt. The FF84 is a 5wt. The FF84 is a medium-slow action that was designed to resemble a bamboo like
feel. The FF856 is more powerful than the Steffen, but the "lockup" point in the butt is close to the Steffen. The Steffen has a smoother action,
slightly flatter tip, to that lockup point. Hopefully, that hepls out. -Fred
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Boo |
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To me the Steffen 8 1/2' 5/6 is more of a 6wt. I used it only once with a 5wt...it felt too much like stiff graphite rod. With a 6wt it purrrd!
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gearboy |
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I agree with Boo. Only fish mine with a WF6.
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tabornatives |
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I like my 5/6wt better with a 5wt. I also feel that my 8ft 3/4 Steffen is more of a 3wt. There you go. I guess you are going to have to borrow or buy one and
make that decision for yourself*G*.
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gypsy |
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The Steffen 5/6 wt is definitely a blank that comfortably cast both 5&6 wt lines comfortably. I like it with a 6wf line, I suspect it would feel nice to me
with a 5dt line also.
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LeoCreek |
Steffen 8'6" 5-6wt | ||
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OK, I have to chime in on this since I have this rod and have been fishing it for the past 2 seasons. I built the rod on a 4pc blank and love it.
While my rod will easily make short casts with a 5wt line, if I were primarily fishing shorter distances I would fish it as a 6wt. For all around fishing I
could fish 5wt lines and be perfectly happy. But since this rod handles a variety of 5wt and 6wt lines so well, it really adds to the versatility. At the end
of September, I made a short trip to Montana and was fishing 6wt sinking lines on a lake and catching a good number of 2 lb. + grayling one day (as well as
lots of smaller fish)...then fishing a DT5F and WF5.5F (SA GPX) the next day and fooled several bigger cutthroat finesse fishing size 16 dries in shallower
runs on a big river...even caught some good sized whitefish and decent sized cutthroat dead drifting nymphs with split shot (chuck and duck).
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Golfswithwolves.clarksclassicfl... |
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Mine casts both the DT5 and WF6 lines wonderfully (Thanks for selling me this one Mr. Gypsy). I think that if I could only own one rod for trout, this would be
the one I would keep!
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