Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (bdcanefly) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:55:11 GMT

Dennis,
I own one and yes it is a very fine rod.Kinda hard to compare it to as it has it own feel.
Mine has a hardwood reel seat though.(never been a fan of all cork,love wood)
Best thing is I bought it of ebay yearrrrs ago for $400.00.
What a deal............

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (oldfishbrain) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:31:17 GMT

Yes Dennis I am still the proud owner of the F.E. Thomas Fairy. Beautiful rod indeed.

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (firehole) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:18:49 GMT

Sorry Alex. Out of curiosity do you still own the FET Fairy I sold you? It was such a gorgeous rod.
I just tried it with a WF5 and it still throws out 60' with authority but it action has slowed somewhat to a medium fast. So it's safe to say it's a 4/5wt.
Dennis

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (bulldog1935) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:06:26 GMT

I was fishing "Fred" in Alaska last week.
8' 3/2 Dirigo. Really a perfect 6-wt. for the high flows and little rainbows currently on the Russian and Ptarmagin Creek.
I would also be a great rod for the big rainbows and low flows in September.

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (oldfishbrain) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:55:42 GMT

Dennis:
I don't know who Andre is but my name is Alex. I forgive you in advance and wish you the best.
Alex

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (firehole) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:40:46 GMT

Andre,
Your guide spacing is right on with mine.
Dennis

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (firehole) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:12:28 GMT

I believe you could use a 5wt. on this one too but I believe it would slow the action down a bit whereas I like a 4wt. line for a faster action. Considering I've heard a Syllk WF4 is about a 3.5wt. the rod can lay out 60' with ease. Is a Syllk a 1/2 line light from its actual line designation? The actual marking on the butt cap is GE-64. I believe the stripper is a Mildrum stripper guide. My expertise isn't on the technical side but more on values and knowledge of rare rods and...

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (oldfishbrain) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:34:55 GMT

Forgot to add:
The weight of the rod was 3.28 oz. And here are some pictures:

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (oldfishbrain) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:19:58 GMT

I owned an F.E. Thomas Special 7 1/2 ft 2/2 not too long ago. In my hands it was more of a 5wt although when I bought it years ago it was represented as a 4wt. I recently sold it to a forum member.
Before it was shipped out I took careful measurements of the taper which are given below. Notice the flat taper between 25 and 40 on both tips that surprised me. I spoke to Chris Bogart about it and he is of the opinion that a lot of production makers of the time produced these generic...

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (firehole) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:00:51 GMT

John,
I don't own a mic but I may be seeing Glenn Brackett in a few weeks and I'll ask him if he wouldn't mind micing it for me. Knowing Glenn I'm sure he would do it.
Dennis

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (rocketman) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:59:55 GMT

Dennis

What is stamped on the butt cap? Should be a symbol or letter and a number or just a number, and what type of stripper does it have? Please do mic the rod and post the taper.

Thanks

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (john channer) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:49:13 GMT

Dennis;
Would you mind measuring it and posting the taper on the tapers forum?
john

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (bobbeegee) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:10:05 GMT

Dennis,

That is one eye-popping Fred Thomas rod!
I enjoyed your thoughts on its fishing attributes.

Personally speaking, if I could afford them, I would be most happy to end my fishing days with a few select Thomas rods.
With a couple of Heddons I will never let go of.

Bob

Re: FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (seattlesetters) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 14:06:44 GMT

Dennis - While I haven't cast as many bamboo rods as you, your FE Thomas (pictured above) is certainly the best I've ever had the pleasure of casting. I love it!

FE Thomas Browntone 7'6" 2/2 4wt. Accolades

feeds@yuku.com (firehole) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 01:59:33 GMT

Yesterday, I fished the Gallatin & Madison with my recently acquired FE Thomas Browntone 7'6 2/2 4wt. 3 1/2oz. I've owned 6 FET most of them 3/2 medium action and by far this surpasses any of them. The rod has a med-fast+ action which allowed me to flick dries with one backcast easily 60'+ with absloutely no effort and pinpoint accuracy. The rod easily controlled bows who wanted to head to the Madison's fast current. I believe if I doublehauled it would throw easily...