This is very interesting reading. Particularly John and Ryan's posts, because they put the common huge premium on having the ultimate in fishing rod sensativity. And I do not oppose that concept. I just don't regard it as the 'silver bullet' panacea in steelhead drift fishing that some think it is (given that it is among anglers who know how to catch steelies, and we aren't comparing the top graphites to the $29 fiberglass rods).

I would say to you John, that you can put a $79 Berkley Buzz Ramsey IM7 in my hands and I will remain well above "that 90% pool of the average blow steelhead fishermen" in driftfishing catch rates. Put a $180 dollar rod such as a Lami Esprit, GL2, All Star Elite, TH Custom built Rainshadow, etc. in my hands and I will catch as many fish as I would with rods costing twice as much. That's my opinion; but I could be wrong. I think it would take months of side by side comparison, switching back and forth on each cast with identical gear/bait to determine if I am right or not. I have one GL3 8-12 lb. casting rod for steelies and one Sage 10-20 lb. casting rod for chinook river fishing, and I can detect a very slight bit more sensativity. But I can detect a fish bite just as well with those rods costing half as much. ...

But that is why I put up this re-visit of the debate again. Am I wrong? Should I get a couple of $400 rods and cringe at the thought of the first tiny scratch on it - or keep spending between $100 to $200 and think I am catching just as many fish, while saving money and not sweating the scrathces? Tough decision for a lot of serious fishermen! ...

The interesting thing for me, and other golfers, is I don't even flinch at spending $400 on the latest titanium golf drivers; trying to 'buy' a better tee shot. I've averaged about 1 per year the last few years. Late this summer I bought the newest Callaway Hawkeye VFT (variable face thickness) super driver for a little draw bias and 10 more yards. I think this is as questionable as buying the mega buck rods; except I get proven measurable improvement, and only need one driver - unlike several rods. It is almost a sickness, because recently I'm not hitting it as well and I found a new one I'm looking at again; partly because my teenage son loves my VFT and is lobbying to get it and me get the new 'secret' fade correcting driver. Geeez . Is it like this for rods with some of you guys? I know it is with a few other golfers for drivers.

BTW, I did find out that the Lami Ti will hit a bobber 15 ft. further than a GL3 - but won't cast it any further.

RT