bubba orvis, while it may be hard to ding up a walnut reelseat it's not impossible. I took a pretty nast tumble on the san juan one night last summer and tore out a nice sized gouge on my venerri walnut reelseat. I was a bit disappointed at the time, but I've grown to appreciate it over time as a battle wound or scar. the rod, btw was a 2/3wt 8' gatti. it didn't blow up on me nor did I have any problems landing several hot fish (I just had to mention that for all those out there who think you can't land large fish on light tackle).

mgj