Don masten: I own a Garcia model 2073, a 7 1/2 ft fiberglass rod. Its been stored for 30 years in my closet in an aluminum tube. I have fished with it about 20 times this year. I Like it. Anyone own one?what’s your opinion? fit, finish, quality?Thanks, Don

I’m not real familiar with the Garcia models, though I do own an 8.5′ 8wt (thought about using it for streamers) that’s very fast, and regrettably gaudy in appearance.

What’s sadly true about many of the 1970s and 1980s model glass rods is that they were darned ugly. Hopefully yours escaped that fate.

Thanks, Don

I own a 4 piece 3/4wt Steffen that I have never had a problem with. These rods are not fragile like a Winston 5 piece LT. I recently inquired with Steffen fans that own the same blank in various number of sections and was informed that they feel no difference in sensitivity between there two piece and multiple piece Steffens.

Rich

rich: Living not too far from the original Diamondback plant in Stowe I can’t express enough how depressing it was to watch a business that made an outstanding product with a great group of employees get flushed down the toilet when Cortland bought it.

Hard to argue with that one. They built some wonderful rods, and I have no idea what Cortland had in mind when they bought the company. My love for Cortland doesn’t extend much beyond the 444 fly line, and the mess at Diamondback was one reason why.

Living not too far from the original Diamondback plant in Stowe I can’t express enough how depressing it was to watch a business that made an outstanding product with a great group of employees get flushed down the toilet when Cortland bought it. I used to drive over and cast rods, then stop in at the Flyrod Shop across the road to banter with Stowey. I purchased my first “expensive” rod(Carbonite Supreme)right there at the factory from Bill. I am fortunate enough to have found 9ft 5wt Golden Shadow that was built in the early days when the company was at the top of it’s game. It is the finest graphite rod I have ever cast.

Rich

If you haven’t done so already there are a few rod builders on the Fiberglass Flyrodders Forum that are simply the best of the best.

As far as the Steffen 8ft 3/4wt, it’s the only rod I fish with anymore here in Vermont. I am thinking on ordering a 8.5 5/6wt for landlocks and the annual Kingdom Steelhead run.

Rich

The rod is very smooth casting and was perfect for pinpoint casting. The rod was a lot “faster” than I expected…it is definitely NOT a wimpy rod! I would describe it as a “medium” action rod with a very lite tip. It did a great job of protecting 6x tippets. I landed browns to 16″ on the rod and it had great “backbone” while bending like you would expect (and want) a quality fiberglass rod to do!

The rod looks great…but I’ve always have been a fan of the unsanded blank look and the wraps and hardware were A+. It is a very nice looking rod.

The negatives? You do have to cast this rod. I normally don’t false cast…at all…while fishing but with the medium action/fiberglass you need to false cast your way out to the fish. It does “shoot” the line…but not like a fast action rod. The big advantage of this is that you can really pinpoint cast this rod. In general, the browns in our spring creek streams have a very small feeding lane. As I was fishing the rod I was thinking this is the rod to fish accuracy is absolutely necessary… when 1″ might as well be 1 foot away….they are not going to take your fly! It also NOT the rod to use in a wind…any wind! The 3 wt line just isn’t a wind line…but with a fast rod to can compensate. The fiberglass just doesn’t throw a tight enough loop. You need to slow down your casting stroke to fish this rod effectively….or you’ll be throwing tailing loops (wind knots) all day!

Bottom line: A+
Very nice looking rod with superior performance that was just plain FUN to fish and land fish on! The perfect small stream rod.- Andy

Mark’s ability to make excellent muti piece (3 or 4piece) rods is tops.

Comments were made about the unsanded blanks, I personally really like them. They are not “bling” rods, but still very attractive. If your buying a rod for its “fishability” they can’t be beat.

Arnaud: I understand that the 8′ 3/4wt is one Steffen’s own favorites, and everyone who owns one seems to like it. Glad we could help!

Just wanted to thank you for this article: I was already enjoying the blog for a while when this was published and I immediately feel that I needed a glass rod (right now!). I ordered a 8′ 3/4wt from Mark Steffen: What a rod!! This is my main gear now and is a great pleasure to cast and fish.

Keep on the good writing!
Cheers from France,
Arnaud

I believe that is correct, but take a close look at the workmanship. That’s not epoxy either. Dave developed a severe allergic reaction to epoxy after many years of excellent epoxy work that forced him to use spar varnish. I think you will agree that his results are impeccable.

Graham