[yuhina]

hi friends,

Just want to share a video of lawn casting the Fenwicks fiberglass switch rod, and thought some of you might be interested to see the fiberglass in action... it is a bit boring and old school...

The rod is 10 feet long and about 5/6 line weight in the two handed rating system. I was using a custom cut scandi line, 24 feet and about 270 grain. I think this is a light match, pretty sweet for the scandi style casting, extremely light weight on hands. It could go up to 400 grain when paired with skagit style and sink tips ... I did not use grass leader for this casting practice, so you can tell I am a bit cautious about blowing the anchor. If test this set up on the water, the rod could load a bit deeper and the line will go smoother...

 

[docstash]

Very nice work.
Craig

 

[Steelheader69]

I've had those rods for years. Still have one of them. Wish I still had the one that was made out of BC. Was a 9/10 rating (versus the solid 9 of the one I kept). Was a tad stiffer. I had always wondered about making a switch. I always thought it originally was made to be used with a centerpin (as a conversion). The Canadian model (which I had first), was a flyrod, but had eyes on it that you were similar to what you'd see on a centerpin rod. Was made by Aloquin (had another name with it, can't remember) for Fenwick.

 

[yuhina]

Thanks Craig!

Jerry,

I think Fenwicks 10 weight rod come with those fighting handle. here is some of the info.
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.

I thought they were made for beach casting?! but centerpin could be a good reason too... good call.
I have another Fiberglass switch made from 9 weight yellow Fenwicks blank, it is a bit stiffer than this one. I like this one better.
Currently, I am looking for some vintage fiberglass blank that about 11 ft, possibly were made for surf casting rod... still have no luck though...

 

[Steelheader69]

The 9/10 weight I had was a totally different beast. In fact, it was the first one I ever found, bought it back in the early 80's and was old then. It even said "Made for Fenwick by Aloquin/????". Can't remember the exact name. But they had a standard flyrod handle with the butt extension. I always figured the butt was for centerpinning, where without was a standard flyrod. I used to have both with me. Take off the old Pflueger I had and toss on a Winona and go to town.

 

[Tom Martin]

I have the Fenwick FF909, has the fighting butt. It was made to be a steelhead rod, got mine in the mid 70's while in AK. Is this the blank you used? I think I'll get mine out and give it a try as a 2H, love those slow actions.

 

[Mumbles]

Yuhina, great video and conversation while you easily kept putting more and more line out. Maybe you've shown me the next project I need to be working on, I will admit to enjoying fishing the switch rods I have but the thought of a smooth flexing fiberglass one from the beach or in the rivers is very appealing. Thanks for sharing! ed

 

[yuhina]

Jerry, very interesting rod. I would like to see one of those 9/10 weight if you got some photos...
Aras, yes, the slow action could be additive for sure, especially fighting with some unexpected power... this rod is modified from the Fenwicks 909.
The other advantage I like about the fiberglass rod is they are great boat rod ... literally un-destructable. I am going to use this rod on the south fork for streamer fishing.
Ed, I think it would be fun on the beach, you can get one on ebay about 70 bucks and just modified it for your need.

 

[Tom Martin]

Got mine out of garage, put some Sage Indicator WF8F (320 grn) on it, not so good. Then switched to a custom cut 325 grn spey, nice. Not as good Yuhina, maybe I need some lessons ... Anyway, small yard, so I cast it about 60-70' right into neighbor's blackberry bushes, oops. Now its off to the lake to get some water under it. Think I may cut this line down to 270 grn like yours, or at least cut a couple of feet off and test until I get what I want. Thanks for the tip, I love fishing my old Fenwicks. Going to put an old Pfleuger 1498 on this, old school all the way..

 

[Tom Martin]

OK, took mine out to water. Fitted it with 310 grn and a 12' leader 100 grn... love it.. takes some getting used to, really had to slow down. Make sure I don't lose anchor, but its fun to play with...

 

[yuhina]

Very cool! Arasgrandpa,

glad it works well for you, I need to explore the heavy side of the line window too... I think it would be really fun to exert some "deep bend" power...

 

[clarkman]

I need to learn this whole spey thing, that really looks like fun....

 

[Chum83]

I need to learn this whole spey thing, that really looks like fun....

careful u will get sucked in for life ha ha

 

[yuhina]

I need to learn this whole spey thing, that really looks like fun....

Thanks Randall...

I believe you know where to get one of those fiberglass !

 

[Steelheader69]

If I still had that rod, I'd take pics of it. I only have the USA made Fenwick like that left. When I was off hurt, had a guy make me a deal I couldn't refuse on it. So sold it to him (it had a leather case that went with it vs. the traditional aluminum or triangular case they usually had). Was pretty cool. Needed restoring, but was perfectly fishable as it was.

 

[East Fork]

Mark, how did you turn a 9 foot rod into a 10 footer?

 

[yuhina]

Don,

There is two ways to do it, and I have done both...
First, I cut a two feet graphite blank and insert it into the butt section of the 9 weight blank.

Second method is just finding a fighting handle to fit into the Fenwick 909 vintage rod (in the video). The actually length probably only 9'8. To make sure it is a tight fit, I use electric tape to tape the fighting handle first and screw it in very tight... if I want, I still can remove the fighting handle.

 

[clarkman]

so, I ended up getting an FF909, but without the fighting butt. what do you guys use for an extension....and yes, the sole purpose was to make it into some sort of switch rod with an emphasis on two handed casting. I also ended up getting a cheapo 11' 6/7 switch rod off of that one auction site...it's a pure joy to cast two handed, scandi style (that's all I've been able to figure out so far)...but, that's pretty much what I had in mind for this Fenwick.

Yuhina, what modifications did you make to yours?

thanks for the inspiration!
Randy

 

[yuhina]

Hey Randy,

The Fenwick 909 did not come with the fighting handle. The fighting handle I have was from another Fenwick rod 9310 - 9'3" 10 weight salmon rod.
I simply insert the fighting handle to the 909. http://fiberglass-fly-rods.pbworks.com/Fenwick
sorry for the confusion.

Mark

 

[clarkman]

oh, ok, gotcha..I'll figure something out...