Need input on a TFO fly rod

[pillcaster]

Hello Warren, hope you are doing well.
For what it's worth, I took a fly casting clinic at the VA fly festival with Bob himself two years ago, and was able to cast one of those rods. I liked it, Bob called it a "progressive taper", not as fast as the BVK I think. It is a beautiful rod, blue I recall, it had an "inlay" above the handle, very nice looking rod. A possible downside is the overall weight of the rod, it isnt a light weight stick. I didnt notice the weight as excessive when casting the rod. Sometimes maybe there is too much emphasis on overall weight, but it isnt as light as similar sized BVK. I use an Orvis power matrix for poppers for smallies, it is a heavy rod, I really dont seem to notice after a couple casts. Maybe it tires me quicker than a lighter rod, or maybe I just get tired. I do think you will find the action slower than your BVK, although that may be good when casting the larger bugs. It is the rod he was using then on his guide trips for smallies and carp on the Sesquehanna, so it is designed for river smallie fishing. My impressions only, I am no expert. If you can attend an event that TFO has demos, they should have one to try.