Also check Batson for their Rainshawdow rods. I have 2 Rainshawdows now. I grabbed a lighter weight 9 ft Lami 1000 series when they were 50% off at Outdoor Sports last Thanksgiving weekend. St Croix had an Elite that was sensitive but it was like $300. Still have my first NW Special. I have one of the Cabelas FE IIs but its not as good as the 2 XMLs I have but they quit making them for salmon/steelhead a few years ago.

You can get the goo off of your cork handle with some fine sandpaper.