Yet again another vintage fly rod find.

[tjm]

For future, here is a list of Fenwick dates (that someone else compiled and y'all should save)-

 

A--1960-61
B--1961-62
C--1962-63 - first Feralites previously back to '55 they used  Sizematic aluminum ferrules with the O-rings
D--1963-64
E--1964-65
F--1965-66
G--1966-67
H--1967-68
I--1968-69
J--1969-70
K--1971-73 Used for two years. The transition from two to three digit model numbers occurred at this time.
Early HMG rods had a separate series of numbers starting with 00001
L--1973-74
M--1974-75
N--1975-76
O apparently not used (too hard to tell from a zero?)
P--1976-77
Q apparently not used
R--1977-78
S--1978-79
T--1979-80
U--1980-81
Serial numbering ended

[BilletHead]

9 hours ago, Foghorn said:

Hey Marty, you need to get out and put a little bend in that old Fenwick!

  I did bend it today at Bennett. Report coming soon!

[BilletHead]

2 hours ago, tjm said:

The three digit model number "805" places it between 1972-1988 when they became Woodstream, it tells us it's length is 8'0" and it's rated as a 5wt. The letter "M" in the serial number dates it's production to the 1974-75 manufacturing  year which was approximately Aug '74-July '75. Give or take. From the accounts of former workers that I've read they weren't exact on dates. Still Fenwick is one of the best documented of the production fiberglass rods. Quite a few users say their FF805s are 6wts, other users disagree, saying theirs are just as rated. on the other hand I have a couple of Fenwicks that I down line one weight from the rating, so take the line rating as a suggestion and experiment. I think the resin used changed from batch to batch and the rods from any one run might be different from the run before or the run after. In the Fenwick line I prefer the two digit models made from '63-'71. 

You'll have fun fishing that rod if you keep the casts under ~50'. One caution, and it applies to all glass to glass ferules, if you  roll cast a lot check that ferrule about every 10-15 casts, because the torque of roll casting does twist them loose. I recommend the canning paraffin (or candle) be rubbed on the male ferrule per Fenwick's instruction until it's coated in wax then rubbed off with a clean cloth or paper towel until just a slight film of wax remains, barely enough for lubrication. I usually have birthday cake candle in a vest pocket for this, because it seems to help keep those joints together. 

I have an FF807 about the same age that I'd sell and an FF75 and FF85  a little older that don't get much use that I should sell. With something like two dozen fly rods I surely don't need all of them. 

Well then it's a little older build date than I thought.  It got put through the paces today. I love this thing. 

[Foghorn]

13 hours ago, BilletHead said:

  I did bend it today at Bennett. Report coming soon!

Wish I'd been there and looking forward to some pictures. I'm currently quarantined with Covid! 

[BilletHead]

15 minutes ago, Foghorn said:

Wish I'd been there and looking forward to some pictures. I'm currently quarantined with Covid! 

              Bummer City Jeff!