nickodanger is right about people abusing warranties, that is why Orvis changed theirs from free to any rod marked 2003 with a $30.00 repair. As far as the new clearwaters being better, I haven't seen that other than the coating on them now. You say the rod was $275. new which was a lot then and I do fee the TLS Power Matrix is an equal replacement. You have what was a middle class rod(for it's time) why settle for the entry class (clearwater)?