Bob,

If you like cane, fish one.

A 7 wt. cane rod will handle any river smallie you happen to come across...

I like the intrinsic 'power' of a loaded cane rod for those larger flies anyway. They may not really 'be' more powerful, but they sure do feel like they are.

I try to do my smallmouth fishing with lighter sticks, but I seldom catch many over five pounds and a three weight does the job for me most times...and I have several six weights if I need them...

Buddy