18 or so months ago, I decided I would spring for "the" rod. I read, read and read some more and decided that the Sage XP was very likely "the" rod. I ordered one through Feather Craft. I could not find one nearby to cast, so I took the gamble.

In the mean time, I stumbled into a a shop that happened to have a 9' 5wt SLT on the rack. I cast it and absolutely fell in love. I received my XP and was underwhelmed. I'm sure that I would have been happy had I not laid my hands on that SLT, but brother that thing was smooooooothhhhhhh.

Long story longer, I sold the XP a few months later at a lost as it was collecting dust. The SLT, on the other hand....marvelous. Nothing wrong with an XP but that SLT was clearly a smoother, friendlier and lighter rod. At least in my hands.

Wish I would have cast them both in the showroom to decide which to buy, but nevermind that. I'm a huge SLT fan. It's a wonderful, wonderful rod.



[This message has been edited by LigonierA1 (edited 12 May 2005).]