Gus,

I have cast a few of your buddy's rods and they are nice. I have a good friend that had a big hand in the development of some new speys offered by Loomis. They cost a bit but they cast like a dream and I have found few that do the Skagit as well as the new Dredgers do so I will pony up the big bucks to own one.

I hope you are comfortable in Texas and have found how to fish the big state to your satisfaction.

KLS