Steffen Brothers Glass Review: An Ode to the Classics

If you look at any new rod manufacturer, they tote their rods as the fastest, lightest, and most powerful rods to date. But is faster always better? In a world where everything happens so fast, sometimes it’s nice to step back and slow down. The sight of a trout sipping a dry fly or a bass hitting a popper keeps us coming back. So what better way to slow down than by fishing? The slow-action fiberglass rods of the past may not have been the most efficient, but they left you connected to the act of fly fishing in a way modern graphite rods do not.

One company in particular, Steffen Rods, specializes in building premium fiberglass rods, blending both modern and classic technologies. A true ode to the classics, these rods savor the fly fishing experience. From the casting stroke to the classic styling, it’s hard to leave home without one. In this review, we take a look at two models we have fished over the year and recount the fish we found along the way.

Why Fiberglass:

With the modern fly fishing industry moving further away from fiberglass every year, it’s easy to overlook a good glass rod. Sure, they aren’t fast and may not cast as far, but fiberglass fly rods have their place. The slow nature of fiberglass means the rod takes longer to load. With that comes added flex, which translates to increased roll cast distance. Fiberglass rods will consistently outperform graphite rods in small water and tight quarters. They accurately deliver roll casts and efficiently load at short distances. 

The added flex in fiberglass rods also gives them the advantage over graphite rods regarding tippet protection. These rods flex through the entirety of the blank and act as a shock absorber for light tippets. When a fish makes a last-minute dive for cover, the rod gives with it, preventing it from breaking off.

The last thing to note is that fiberglass rods are generally more durable than graphite rods. Due to the nature of their construction, the slow action is more forgiving. If you make a mistake, like a last-minute fish diving through your legs, the soft tip and slow action of fiberglass rods will protect the rod from breaking. Try this with a graphite rod, and you’ll likely need a new tip section.

Steffen’s Rods Overview:

Steffen Brothers Rods was founded in 1980 by brothers Mark and Tim Steffen. The brothers started as a custom rod shop, rolling their own rod blanks and building rods to customer specifications. In 1992, they discovered uni S glass, a unique glass offering more power, a stiffer blank, and an overall stronger blank than E glass. Today, Steffen continues to build fly rods with S glass, paying tribute to its history while adding modern touches to every rod.

Steffen currently builds eight different configurations of fiberglass rods, ranging from 2-wt to 11-wt. There is an option for everything from bluegills to muskies. If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for, Steffen can build you a custom rod exactly to your specifications.

On the Water Testing:

Having learned more about Steffen Rods, we were eager to get on the water and put them to the test. We do not fish a lot of glass rods, so learning the casting stroke and figuring out where these rods excel had us itching. We decided to test two very different rods: the 5/6wt Dual Line S2 Glass Rod and the 7/8wt Dual Line Glass Rod. With rods in hand, we checked the calendar and picked some epic trips to see just how these rods performed.

Steffen Brothers 5/6wt Dual Line Glass

Specifications

• Length: 8-ft
• Rod Weight: 5 or 6-wt
• Action: Slow
• Reel Seat: Down Locking

Earlier this summer, we used the 5/6wt Steffen Bros Glass Rod on a 4-day river trip in Eastern Oregon targeting smallmouth bass. The goal was to catch bass on topwater, so poppers were the fly of choice. The Steffen Glass was the perfect fit for this. With ample loading power, we consistently flung poppers into tasty-looking pockets. The casting action was slower than we were used to, but we got the hang of it after a few casts. Tangible feedback from the rod blank signaled when the rod loaded on a back cast for a forward cast. 

Time and time again, we landed large poppers with surprising accuracy and finesse. The softness of the rod took the plop out of bass bugs hitting the water, preventing fish from spooking on the initial cast. The best part about this rod came after we hooked a bass. The rod flexes through the entirety of the blank, feeling every head shake and run. When fish got near the boat, the slow action of the rod protected it against last-minute smallmouth dives under the boat, something they are notorious for; after four days of floating, it’s hard to imagine fishing anything else for smallies. While it may not offer the “best” performance, the fishing experience is too fun to pass up.

Steffen Brothers 7/8wt Dual Line Glass

Specifications

• Length: 8-ft
• Rod Weight: 7 or 8-wt
• Action: Slow
• Reel Seat: Up Locking with a Fighting Butt (Salt Safe)

Last year, we embarked on a journey way south of the equator, fishing Argentina for Golden Dorado. A new species for our crew, we were eager to see if these fish lived up to the hype. Now, a trip like this typically goes hand in hand with the newest, most powerful fly rods on the market. And while we brought a few modern sticks, we couldn’t pack our bags without the Steffen Brother 7/8wt Glass. 

We didn’t go into this trip completely blind. Before leaving, we made a few casts with the rod to understand how it performed. True to fiberglass rods, it had a slow action, but we didn’t expect its power. The butt section had plenty of power combined with the slow loading motion to throw big streamers effectively. We also found the slow tip added action to our streamers, allowing them to swim more naturally. 

After several days of travel, we made it to Argentina, and it was time to hit the water. On days with low winds, we instantly reached for the Steffen Brothers Glass. Something about the slow lifestyle in Argentina paired perfectly with the slow action of the rod. We enjoyed our time fishing this rod and taking in all Argentina had to offer. After repeatedly beating the banks, Argentina’s serenity quickly turned to chaos with a distinct thump. The line went tight, and the dorado erupted out of the water. Intense runs and dramatic acrobatics ensued as we fought to tame this fish and bring it to the boat. Over the remainder of the trip, we hooked several more dorados with this rod. The combination of a sturdy backbone and ample flex met the dorado’s notorious power time and time again. If you ever find yourself chasing dorados, consider packing a Steffen Brothers rod and savoring every moment.

Final Thoughts

For most anglers, fiberglass has a reputation as a dated technology. While it may have been around longer than modern graphite rods, it is far from dated. Fishing Steffen Brothers fiberglass rods have given us a new appreciation for revealing in the moment on the water. You won’t cast the furthest or feel the subtle takes common on sensitive rods. What you do feel is a slow and methodical casting stroke, and every head shake from fighting fish. It’s safe to say Steffen Brothers Glass has earned a permanent place in our rod quivers. 

The Guide Test: Benchmade Intersect

What We Pack: Golden Dorado in Argentina