OK everybody heres the scoop that I have heard from several dealers, and a email from a loomis rep. First I did not mean tape I just didnt know the proper technique. My previous loomis 1025 was not "doubled tapered" like this one, check it out at some other loomis dealers, example: salmonbay and outdoor. Also I love Gloomis and their product, I have no complaints and will still be my only pole of choice. But what the dealer had told me was that since shimano has a "partnership" they are more focused on the Bass poles and the Salmon/ steelhead rods are getting the second hand to priority of manufacturing. I am not sure how reliable this is. Also their is nothing wrong with the fuji guides and seats it was just a suprise to see the fuji logo rather then the gloomis logo, then again who made the reel seats befor? All I know is that this post was just to see if their was a change, it suprised me, but I was not disappointed. Far as what the gloomis rep who had emailed me back said was the quality of the rod is same and the Gloomis will back the pole 100% in so many words. I cant bad mouth shimano either because they make great reels and I have never had problems with it. Both companies produce top notch gear and I will stick with them till they prove me wrong. But the extra guide on my bottom half of the pole was a shocker. I was looking at the new ones and the old ones and the guides are set a little different, least the ones I looked at. any way I enjoy both products and they will continue to get my bussiness, don't bag them just because of a mishap or a change unless it is for the worse. Thank you all for the input and good luck

[This message has been edited by Aerofly (edited 07-08-2000).]