I would think the main reason rod manufacturers come out with a new line of rods every so often is because of the competition between the companies. They can't be one-upped so they make another one and say its the best ever made.

My big river rod is a Sage SP 6wt that I bought, new, quite a few years ago. The most I had ever paid for a rod. Before that. is was run-of-the-mill fiberglass. The only rods I buy now are at auction sales, if I get a deal on them, to add to my/son's, grandson's collection. I won't buy another new high-priced rod at my age. I don't even look at the catalogs anymore.

George