deerslayer,
I like your old school thinking. I've got a Loomis rod that I bought directly from Gary himself in 1982, the year they started business. We went to one of his long time employee's home shop to pick it up, as that is where they were doing business at the time. It doesn't even have a model # on it. Dark graphite, wood reel seat and hand painted Loomis name on it as well as my name.
I still use it once in awhile. Usually with a 200SG or 250 Bantam Mag.
Brian

P.S. You'll have to kill me to get one of those IM6 fly rods
I always thought the removable fighting butts were a great idea. I'm surprised rod makers aren't doing that much today.