The only rod I've purchased since the Sage chuck-n-duck RPL+ 996 you turned me on to in June is a 10.5' GL3 STR1263C rated for 6-12lb line. I picked this up in November and fished it for a few days in Northern Cal. I'm very happy with how the rod fishes, and was casting 6lb mono and light weights w/o problem. But I don't think it's quite as sensitive as the Sage -- those blanks are 'IMX-plus' sensitive. As I'm going to use it to boondog jigs under floats most of the time, I'm not that fussed.

If you're willing to sacrifice stopping power, Loomis also make an identical rod to the one I bought only lighter (4-10lb) -- it's the GL3 STR1261C. That's probably your ticket to Midwest steelhead methane detection.

Both rods list for $290-$295. TH (on this board) can build you a clone for less.

[This message has been edited by Snagly (edited 12-16-1999).]