fenwick FF 705

Question
Hi Marc:
I hope you might help me. my mom passed away and i inherited a Fenwick M 171684 looks cork and fiberglass says 7' 3 oz. has sock and plastic tube marked Fenwick. it has no reel.does this have any value?It looks used but not compromised. i no zippo about fly rods but should it not have a reel?Do you have any idea does it have any value for a collector?
thanks
Lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa,

The FF705 is a fiberglass fly rod 7'-0" long designed to be used with a 5 weight fly line.  Short for a fly rod, a rod like this may have been used on small streams where long casts were not important and the fisherman was dealing with tight quarters.  A rod this length is not as common as the traditional 8' or 8 1/2 footers and the rarity may bring a little more interest.   

It is probably from the 1970's but they made them up till the mid eighties.  The reel would not have come with the rod and would have been purchased separately.  

In average condition, the rod may be worth $50-$100.  In mint condition, maybe $125-$150 or even a little more.  There are fenwick collectors so I would watch similar rods on E-bay.  Right now there is a "mint" FF756 on e-bay and it is bidding in 6 days.  Watch what that one goes for and that will give you a good idea of the worth.  

Good luck, that is a great item.

Marc