I am the first to admit after coming back to trout fishing last couple of years my "feel" is not what it used to be. I do think the majority of good anglers who spend enough time on the water develop instincts that will have them striking a fish when there was nothing to tell them that they had a take. I know I often set the hook just on instinct.

As for gauging the feel of the rod try this. As you drift only touch the line to take up when necessary. Other than that, let the line drop free of the rod and see if you can't feel a take thru the rod without contact with the line. I stress again, when you spend enough time you will not have to "feel" a take in the sense you wait for it to happen before you strike. It will become an ingrained action without conscious thought. All good fisherman develop this instinct even if they don't realize they have.