Just want to get some reaction on counter balancing rods. When I got my ten footer we took the plug on the handle off and inserted a wood dowl with strips of lead wire taped and epoxied inside the handle after sanding down the lead to get a good fit. If you let the rod hanle rest on your fingers, the tip points up at about 10:00 to 11:00. It makes it easier to carry with the tip facing up instead of down. The biggest benefit is that your arm doesn't get as tired while fishing. We didn't need to do this with my 8' 6" NWest Special. Just wondering if any of you do the same thing. Also wondering if the longer Loomis or Lamiglas rods are built to balance with the tip up.