Glass Day

Tom Butler · Jun 2, 2023

I really like my ESN rod and the technique of being in close to fish, but if I am going to cast, I think the Steffen is the most pleasurable to cast and fish. Just love this setup. Fished it with a long leader and a 3 fly cast of a hairwing hare, partridge and orange, and hares ear softhackle. Caddis were fluttering about.

The sz. 14 partridge and orange on the middle dropper drew out all the better fish today.

What a day.

Pink Nighty · Jun 2, 2023

Tom you post some of my favorite content here. Your reports are perfect, the setup, the fish, a look at your spot. Maybe a smiling grandkid or now two! Keep it up, you make me miss your corner of the state like I never thought I would.

@Dryflyphotography · Jun 3, 2023

Tom, was your Steffen built by the original Steffen or by Shane Gray? And is that a custom wrap? I'd love to see more pics...I acquired a Steffen 8' 3/4 blank and have been debating which wrap colors to apply. I have been leaning towards black with red trim...just like yours. IMO the color of the Steffen blank does not blend well with a lot of thread choices so I've been struggling to find the best option. Shane's standard red wraps are fine but not my preference.

Tom Butler · Jun 3, 2023

@Dryflyphotography said:
Tom, was your Steffen built by the original Steffen or by Shane Gray? And is that a custom wrap? I'd love to see more pics...I acquired a Steffen 8' 3/4 blank and have been debating which wrap colors to apply. I have been leaning towards black with red trim...just like yours. IMO the color of the Steffen blank does not blend well with a lot of thread choices so I've been struggling to find the best option. Shane's standard red wraps are fine but not my preference.

I bought this from Shane not long after he started to do them. It was one he built up and listed in the built rod section. Wraps are black w/ red and adding silver in the wraps at the handle and joints, and I like the look too. It's 8' 4pc. Here are some more pics.

mark wlker · Jun 3, 2023

If you have one of Mark's rods, it's easy to tell. His hand writing is atrocious! His words, not mine.

Wayne Kohan · Jun 3, 2023

I have the 2 piece 8foot 5/6 wt Steffen. I wrapped mine in just brown wraps as I don't care for the wraps standing out so much. I didn't do a trim wrap but that would probably add a little highlight. I really like the muted look.

clarkman · Jun 3, 2023

mark wlker said:
If you have one of Mark's rods, it's easy to tell. His hand writing is atrocious! His words, not mine.

True story. My 8' 5/6 and 8'6" 7/8 just wouldn't seem right any other way. Too bad Shane couldn't at least get a decal of that hand writing....woulda been cool for my musky rod.