I have an older St Croix Avid 8' 4wt, 2-piece that is that "natural" rod for me. The Avid I have is a pre-IPC/ART stuff with the gray blank. According to the serial number it is a 2003 model. It is my primary trout rod for medium to larger water. I have it matched with a 2nd generation Lamson Velocity 1.5 in the "gunsmoke" finish and a Cortland 444 "peach" WF4F line. It will lay a #18 dry fly on the water like a whisper and casting it is like an extension of my arm. I just look at the spot I want the fly and it's there. This model is well out of production, and if I ever break it, I'll probably cry. But that aint gonna stop me from fishing it!

I also have an older Sage RPL 9ft 6wt 2-piece that is much the same. When I first got the Sage, it was a "love-hate" relationship, but once I figured the rod out (and found a line it likes), it's become the same to me as my 4wt Avid.