I doubt if you'll see any of the cast for cash bass anglers pulling out a fly rod in competition.
Again, if I were king of Sage, I would offer their smallmouth rod in either a 6,7 or 8wt. A 7'11" 6wt would be an ideal rod for the smallmouth river that I fish. Now I realize you are talking niche market, but try and find an 8' 6wt today.