" or a red 1987 Datsun pickup with a blue door, yellow tailgate held on by baling wire, and a cracked windshield?"

no chunk he described a beat up rig.

instead of sucking some todd @ss fume. realize that 90% of all steelheaders buy into the high price brands to show a level status amongst their peers while fishing. a SST / shimano rod is not going to handicap anyone.

Rapid Robert says that the shimano rods are every bit as sensitive to the g loomises. i'll take a very seasoned guides opinion over todd's opinion any day.