I'm looking for a new fast-action 5 weight. i recently had a day of guided fishing up near Estes Park, CO, where the drill was indicator nymphing with 2 beadhead nymphs. I brought a J Kennedy Fisher GT-40 5 wt rod (kinda medium action), but when the guide put a Sage VXP in my hands, my casting (and fishing of that rig) improved. He said my casting stroke was more suited to a fast action rod.

The VXP may have been effective, but it wasn't particularly FUN. I couldn't feel the thing load and unload, and if I can't feel that, I don't want to be fly fishing. So I found the 2015 and the 2013 5 weight shootouts by George Anderson, and started thinking. His preferences are always for fast action rods, but that's OK, 'cause I'm looking for that . . . as long as it has feel, right?

Thanks!
Peter