Fenwick Fenglass Fiberglass Fly Rod Review

Joan Wulff putting the FenGlass through it's paces.
Joan Wulff putting the FenGlass through it’s paces.

I spent the past weekend trying out many different fly rods at the Hardy Cup Casting Competition held during the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum Summerfest. The casting competition had several classes which included a fiberglass class sponsored by Fenwick and Pflueger where participants cast an 8’3″ 7wt for distance and accuracy. This rod received a lot of buzz throughout the weekend as many casters were able to pick the rod up and immediately cast impressive distances with ease. After casting the FenGlass and placing 5th in the category overall I decided to take a closer look at this new line of rods and I was glad I did.

Classic styling, upgraded modern ability. Neo-Glassic.
Classic styling, upgraded modern ability. Neo-Glassic.

The first thing you notice is how responsive these rods are. They have the deep and progressive flex profile I love about fiberglass with the recovery speed and power I love about graphite. The FenGlass rods have a very easy learning curve. Actually, I believe the rod greatly helped some of the casters at the competition “smooth out” their casts because of the slower but responsive action.  (I must add this edit to the review. As my good friend and glass connoisseur Shakey Lyman points out, this modern glass is different. However, I feel like it is an excellent gateway rod into the glass-lands of smoothness)

Even my partner in crime had to get a little taste of the action.
Even my partner in crime had to get a little taste of the action.

The action of this rod forces a caster to begin their casting stroke at a slower rate of speed. Which is good for many casters as it allows them to save most of their speed (power) for where it is needed, at the very end of the casting stroke right before the stop. Without getting too detailed into the mechanics of casting we will just say that this rod is fun to cast. By feeling the rod “load” and “unload” the caster can improve their timing and casting fundementals.

MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE!
MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE!

I was very impressed with the 8’3″ 7wt that we used in competition. I easily threw the Royal Wulff Triangle Taper WF7F (weight forward 7wt Floating) line into the 90 ft range. The winners of the competition easily threw the outfit well into the 100 ft range with the longest cast made at 108 feet. The proof is in the results, this rod is fun at close range but can go the distance when needed.

 

Starting at $200 (with some dealers selling at $179) it is hard not to add this rod to your quiver. The 6’6″ 3wt is an instant classic East Coast brook trout rod. Check them out at your local Fenwick dealer or order here online.

 

Wulff Triangle Taper is one of my favorite lines to use on a full flex rod. You can check them out above.

Pflueger’s Medalist Reel balances this rod nicely and rounds out this modern classic outfit.

 

 

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