Vintage Quality Fiberglass?

Wetswinger

Wetswinger

Beneath the surface of the mud, there’s more mud.
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I've gotten interested in 1960 thru 1980 fiberglass rods and I am asking for information on quality rods of that era. This started with the use of my old 1973 Fenwick I had put away for several years. I really adore using it now and was wondering what other good glass rods were available back then.

I am aware of the Garcia Conolon rods, Fenwick and from England the Hardy Fibolight. Also the Bruce and Walker rods from England. What were some of the other quality glass rodbuilders back then.? Any info is appreciated....
 
Fisher...I'll add more later.
 
St Croix.

My late great Uncle Mike (a fish catching machine) gave me one in the very early 1960’s. It served me well for a very long time.
 
Rob Allen said:
Fished for sure. I have a 9ft7 wt and a 9'6" 9wt that Bill McMillan built for my dad after my dad helped him build cabinets for their home. Fishers were the deal back in the early 80s graphite and fiberglass.
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We're they a NW product or national brand.?
 
Porter2 said:
Berkeley, eagle claw, Wright McGill, Fenwick, Diawa, to name a few. Not only fly rods too 😉
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Which of these would be considered top tier quality? I'm mainly interested in the better brands...
 
Well. Eagle claw and Wright McGill had different ones. Think sweetheart and special were a couple. This is gonna be on you to investigate a bit. Google it is out there. Just remember the one everyone eludes to has being the best may not be. I fell in love with a 78’ Berkeley Cherrywood 7/8 weight 8’6” with maroon metal reel seat. It was my girl until basically sage xp came around wearing tight Britannia jeans. 😉
 
Others will not validate your nuances, likes, and feel. You’ll be the judge. But if you’re looking to turn over rods for profit then google it …. It’s about finding your groove tool here. Not $$$
 
I'm glad someone mentioned Berkley. One of my favorite older glass rods is a Berkley Gowdy 7'6" 6/7wt.
 
The coolest I've come across is a 1970's era Phillipson "Master MF76L". Most of Phillipson's glass rods were six weights but the "L" added to that name denotes a light version made for HEH weight lines ie five weight. Sweet casting rod. I found two in poor but fishable condition at a local antiques store a few years ago. Gave one to my nephew and kept one, but it was so beat up I tried to strip it and refinish it and then discovered the butt and tip sections have different color glass (lighter orange/tan and darker brown), I'm guessing with different flexing characteristics to create a great casting rod. I still have it in mid re-wrap stage and intend to finish the job soon after which it will be a great casting but odd looking rod. If you ever find one in good condition it's a great rod.
 
Scientific Anglers system Rods, the glass ones. They put them out in 4wt to 11wt. The hardy JET rods. Sceptre and Fibatube were a couple of quality British brands that looked a lot like Fisher with spigot ferrules and dark brown blanks.
 
jeffj said:
Scientific Anglers system Rods, the glass ones. They put them out in 4wt to 11wt. The hardy JET rods. Sceptre and Fibatube were a couple of quality British brands that looked a lot like Fisher with spigot ferrules and dark brown blanks.
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If I'm not mistaken, the SA System rods were built on Fisher blanks, no?
 
I believe you're correct about the Fisher blanks. Fisher was also involved in starting the Hardy fiberglass factory.
 
Scott, Winston, Vince Cummings, Russ Peak, Ferd Claudio, Wanigas are la creme de la creme of that Era. im sure I'm missing a few.

JK Fisher, Phillipson, Fenwick, Silaflex were probably the next tier, and higher end Garcia Conolon, St Croix, Berkley, Shakespeare, etc a notch below.

This is personal opinion, all of these guys made some excellent rods.
 
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