Fly Fishing Vintage, Fenwick FF75-4 - Wooly Bugged

This is the first video in a new series where Michael Evanko goes fly fishing for trout with vintage fly rods. In this video he pursues wild brook trout in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania with a vintage Fenwick FF75-4 travel rod. This 7'-6" fiberglass fly rod was manufactured in 1968-1969. This rod is a tough find because 4-piece travel rods were not common 50 years ago.
The stream fished in this video is a 4-mile long tributary on the eastern side of Big Pine Creek. Evanko accessed this water by hiking 3.5 miles on foot down a state access road. The water was 52 degrees at the time of filming. All brook trout in this video were caught on a #14 Parachute Adams dry fly.

[@michaelcapurso]

Well done. Excellent gear choice, those small stream brookies deserve classic gear.

[@WoolyBugged]

Michael Capurso I agree, they do deserve some classic gear!

[@gottogofishing4929]

My very first fly rod back in 1978 was a Fenwick FF786 which which I dusted off about a year ago and have not touched my very expensive Arsenal of graphite rods since. That Rod you're fishing is a beautiful thing.

[@hillbillysportsman5818]

My brookie set up is a 6’6” glass rod. I love your new vintage set up. Catching wild brookies on dries in the beautiful mountains it don’t get any better than that!

[@WoolyBugged]

Hillbilly Sportsman it really doesn’t get any better. I’m interested in trying a 6’ set-up.

[@bdickinson6751]

Wow Mike, I was expecting you to hook into a 20" fish in one or two of those pools. Thanks for taking us along on another outing with beautiful environs as well as the fish that live there!

[@WoolyBugged]

B Dickinson ya never know! But I think a 20” brown would be eating all those brook trout.

[@bdickinson6751]

@@WoolyBugged I was thinking a 20" brookie. JK, I'm afraid you're right, especially about a brown that size. Very cannibalistic creatures! I have known of some pools like that where it seems to be void of fish in ideal habitat and then one day you hook into one that size and have your answer. Love those wild brookies!👍

[@farmerbob4554]

Love those old glass fly rods. My first rod was a Shakespeare FG 5-wt. I learned how to fly fish with that rod 50+ years ago. Really cool to see you go old school.

[@WoolyBugged]

X Papi that’s neat, do you still have that first rod?

[@farmerbob4554]

Wooly Bugged We lost pretty much everything including all my fishing equipment in the flood of 1972. We were living in South west N.Y. State when the Allegheny River breached its banks in June that year. I bought a Sabre glass rod when we moved to California in 1976. I traded that in for a 9’ 4wt Echo graphite rod that I still have and fish extensively.

[@jessejohnson6721]

Great video, gotta say your now really fishing the proper rod for these streams. Keep it up. Jesse

[@WoolyBugged]

Jesse Johnson can’t believe what I’ve been missing all these years.

[@jacobpochiba8538]

Great video and fantastic water! O much fun fishing wild streams. They area hidden Jewel the most just don’t understand!

[@WoolyBugged]

blademaker 323 agreed!

[@zenbooter]

Yah you are so right man, so right. Never anyone there cept you. Not meant in a selfish way, just the way the cookie crumbles. The peace and quiet of it all , it almost hides itself. Can’t explain it. I still feel like an alien emerging from the forest. Thanks Mike.

[@entzijams]

I live in Lycoming County. There are so many beautiful little streams just like this one around here. Your videos as well as my brother's stories of brook trout fishing have inspired me to do more blue line fishing. Cheers!

[@WoolyBugged]

Thanks Nicholas, get out there and explore and thanks for watching.

[@ronaldpetersen255]

The Fenwick FF75-4 is a special fly rod!!! It is one of the models of the Fenwick Voyageur 4pcs travel rod line up! Again sweet rod and thanks for the video, thoroughly enjoyed it👍

[@ronaldpetersen255]

That vintage has the nickname Honey Stick as the color of the rod changes drastically when in the bright sunlight.

[@simonlakin5067]

Another great video Mike. I’ll certainly be trying small Burn fishing here in Scotland . Super stuff..👍

[@kartracer5g229]

Awesome vid Mike... just got my first two trout both rainbows about 9-10 inches today since picking up the fly rod again.. missed three yesterday now that the water is finally starting to go down on the big creeks around here .

[@WoolyBugged]

matt Ginithan good for you Matt, that’s great. Soon you’ll be into a 20” fish.

[@kartracer5g229]

@@WoolyBugged one can dream lol. They took a size 14 orange salmon egg pattern... had it above a bead head green weenie with the stain in the water I was trying to give them something to look at and a couple looked and liked... thanks again for inspiring me to pick it back up... I've been thoroughly enjoying it again

[@jeb605]

Another fine video. Thanks

[@WoolyBugged]

jeb605 thanks Jeb, appreciate you watching!

[@flintlockDave]

Glass is my favorite way to fly fish my favorite fly rod is a vintage Shakespeare Wonderod 7wt so much fun and cast like a dream great video

[@scottlowe3355]

Great video as always. Beautiful stream and great production of the video.

[@WoolyBugged]

Scott Lowe thanks Scott, that part of PA is beautiful.

[@mattmorlock8819]

Awesome video as usual.Beautiful scenery and great production! Keep em comin!

[@WoolyBugged]

Matt Morlock thanks Matt! I love Lycoming County.

[@martinguild12]

i went back to the glass a few years ago,buying a few newer inexpensive rods and finding a few older ones for sale up in northeast Pa. Those Fenwicks are a joy to cast .I didn't realize how many fishermen have gone back to glass. You might be interested in checking out the Fiberglass Fly Rod pages on facebook,with some following the old rods and the others modern glass.Enjoy that glass and tight lines!

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

Some nice brook trout water. Good tip on the length of stream you look for.

[@WoolyBugged]

WildBlue Discovery thanks Greg, been out on any trips recently?

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

@@WoolyBugged ......was out May 3rd with a couple fellows. I have not posted any of the footage yet. I have been filming a lot of lacrosse games. Volunteer filming for local high school lacrosse team.

[@nicholasrussell3417]

Awesome video.

[@frankieshoenfelt8550]

The lay out of the video and fishing.. Has shown major improvement.. Keep up the Great Work Mike...

[@WoolyBugged]

Frankie Shoenfelt thanks Frankie, appreciate it, you been out exploring some water?

[@frankieshoenfelt8550]

@@WoolyBugged mostly working with Kids. Trout Derby's and Helping on some Turkeys...

[@garyknepper4546]

Buddies don’t sell you a fishing rod....buddies give you a fishing rod. Nice video.

[@blingadinghey]

Just bought a 3wt glass rod back in the winter. I have had so much fun with it already this year!

[@WoolyBugged]

blingadinghey ya it’s an entirely different experience.

[@danhewko1093]

Nice video. Nice seeing you use a glass rod. For those interested in learning more about fiberglass fly rods they can view the Fiberglass Flyrodders website. Covers classic rods up to modern rods made by Orvis, Scott, etc. and smaller rod builders. A very good resource for those interested in fiberglass fly rods or learning more about them.

[@WoolyBugged]

Dan Hewko thanks for sharing Dan!

[@randymatson5710]

Nice day, another great video Mike.

[@WoolyBugged]

Randy Matson thanks for watching Randy.

[@allenaviation5746]

Great video Mike. I Fished that same rod (2 pc. built from a Fenwick blank) for many years. Then about five years ago, I got the 4 pc. 7.5 foot glass Fenwick on eBay, also a custom build. I always get comments on the travel rod, the builder did a beautiful job. I work near Pine creek and live within walking distance of Spring creek but now I'm inspired to try for some wild brookies near here.

[@WoolyBugged]

Allen Aviation you’ve got to give it a try. They are so much fun on those glass rods.

[@TheCampbellseth]

Already love your brookie videos. Now add fishing them with glass!! Great to see

[@WoolyBugged]

seth campbell thanks Seth, I’m looking forward to it!

[@charliepalmer2465]

Great job! I am heading to big Pine this Week, fishing a Fenwick Aetos ... Can't wait... !!

[@ozangler5642]

G'Day from Australia, Lovely looking stream and brook trout. I really enjoyed watching that fly on the water and seeing the trout take it. Excellent video and I look forward to watching more of yours. I have an 8 foot unmarked and I believe unused brown fibreglass rod that I've mated with an Olympic-Pfluefer copy that I've loaded with a WF6 line. Rod and reel are both garage sale purchases. I'm looking forward to trying it out on some of the small streams that I regularly fish, when our Victorian trout streams reopen in September. Those brook trout are very pretty. We mostly have browns and rainbows here in Australia. Brook trout were introduced but never thrived like the other two species. A pity. Cheers, Steve.

[@jacksonjeremias3003]

I realize I am kinda off topic but do anyone know a good site to watch newly released tv shows online ?

[@jacobpochiba8538]

Heading to clear creek to do some wild fishing in a week! Cannot wait...will update upon my return.

[@Osnyfishingadventures]

Wow that creek is one gorgeous tributary! will have to do some exploring up there sometime the scenery looks absolutely amazing! Hopefully we will be able to really catch a ton this Sunday! Last time I went the creek produced amazing numbers! Never been there when it has been warmer though so I’m not exactly sure what hatches are going to possibly come off or what them browns are going to take! I’m taking the kitchen sink nymph wise hahaha. Since it’s a small creek may use really bright stuff, and if they don’t take that may use something a little more natural looking! At least this Sunday I’m pretty sure we can garuntee we will finally be able to hike to this gorgeous stream! Keep it up mike and tight lines!

[@TopSecretVid]

I fly fish vintage all the time. Only fly rod I own is the one I purchased in 1986, it still catches nice Rainbows, Browns, and Brookies here in the NorthEast. Though I have been tempted to update to a new set up.

[@BrookieBum]

I love them glass rods. When I come up I'll bring my 6' 1wt Anglers Roost.

[@WoolyBugged]

BrookieBum looking forward to seeing that one!

[@goproaz2097]

@@WoolyBugged I am looking for some help identifying a rod I just got. also have a couple glass fenwicks I don't know much about either. A ff88 and a ff909. I also received a bamboo rod in a fenwick f83 case. It has no maker marks on it, just a couple matching rod numbers. Thanks

[@christopherpcreation]

Awsome video be careful of ticks lyme ruins lives. Had it 13 years it's no joke.

[@WoolyBugged]

Christopher P Creation I know Chris, that’s why I always wear my waders no matter how hot it gets.

[@zenbooter]

Hey Mike . great video as always. Excellent rod choice and the reel deserves it's cradle. I have one of these , a FF705, 7' 5wt. purchased back in 75. Used maybe 3 times. You are giving me thoughts.

[@WoolyBugged]

zenbooter that’s great, it is a really nice rod, very enjoyable to fish.

[@davidbrattain1446]

Nice Fenwick! I bought a glass 4 wt. for under 50 bucks about 10 years ago. Dead brookie was not a good look though.

[@ultralightfishingguy]

nice technique my dude.

[@WoolyBugged]

UltraLightFishing Guy thank you sir, what’s your set-up?

[@ultralightfishingguy]

My fly rig go-to is definitely the 2.5oz winston ibis with a 3-5wt orvis battenkill. I love light fishing, you always catch "something". Love the vids!

[@robinhorgan5589]

enchanting!

[@JohnD.1969]

"Buy another glass rod at some point" Question for you Mike, Only one? Give in to the fiberglass addiction.

[@WoolyBugged]

John D. I’m giving in

[@jazztoad54]

Your Fenwick is a 6wt rod? That's what's on the rod. Back in the day, the line weights and fly lines actually matched without line weight having to be thicker because of all the current fast actions being made. I have a 1978 Diawa 7' 6" - 6wt that I started with and still use it for about anything. The tip is soft enough to go Brook Trouting and the butt is stiff enough for Smallmouth. Love Fenwick rods!. Thanks for the informative video as always!

[@jazztoad54]

Eric Hirschberg what is s 4DT rod

[@WoolyBugged]

Looks like Eric was able to help you out. Thanks for the nice comment Rankin!

[@jazztoad54]

Does Eric have a website? Is this the Activision Eric?

[@jazztoad54]

I will soon be looking for a true 6wt in a Fenwick. Looks like finding one is a shot in the dark, seeing that what's labeled on the rod isn't accurate.

[@fishbastard9447]

Happy to know there are others out there that fish with vintage rods. I have a Fenwick FF806. Would you have any tips on finding out what year it's from? Cheers!

[@nathanchapman9836]

You need a smaller net for spots like that. The fly you identify at the beginning of the video isn’t a parachute adams. Looks more like a parachute hare’s ear pattern or something like that.

[@zepplinrox3]

i have a 5 1/2' Fenwick that Bob Clouser made for me....my favorite rod

[@zenbooter]

No doubt, as for Bob he told me at the Somerset show about 15 yrs. ago I would have to wait 2 yrs. to book a trip with him. Real nice guy. Taught me the crayfish technique. So I bought a ton of his stuff and incidentally I'm almost out of it.

[@zepplinrox3]

@@zenbooter Bob- a truly a good guy... I also have a 9' 4wt Sage he built for me....I'm keeping both till I can't fish anymore!!!!

[@zenbooter]

@@zepplinrox3 course that was my thumbs up.

[@WoolyBugged]

Brian J that’d be cool to have a rod made by Bob, especially one for smallies.

[@aaronmiller6118]

I want to go fly fishing for brook trout in Pennsylvania soon but don't know where to go because finding information on the internet is virtually impossible. Any tips? Please get back soon.

[@blueringoctopuss]

I fish for trout with an Eagle Claw 4wt rod and a Martin 61 tuna can.

[@WoolyBugged]

blueringoctopuss that sounds like a great set-up

[@charleswlasniewski8898]

When are you coming back up to NY to fish?

[@alexlaakmann4553]

Great Video! Could you tell me how that Adams is tied?

[@WoolyBugged]

Fish Boy here’s the basic pattern kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX29qYChZtaSb6s

[@paulsnyder681]

Hey Mike. Can you send me the info for your buddy? I am really interested in getting one of these vintage rods

[@dirtroadlife9826]

What reel are you using on your setup?

[@WoolyBugged]

That’s an Abel TR2

[@Pwrcritter]

I wonder if a brookie would eat that thousand legger, hmm..

[@WoolyBugged]

Pwrcritter if it did, it probably wouldn’t need to eat for a while!

[@elwha6025]

Great stuff! Just subscribed. Can you send me the contact info of the guy you mentioned? Thx

[@kennethbiebighauser7984]

Minnow Brookies...beautiful stream however.....