newbee,

Sounds like some kind of test needs to be conducted, like going out and catching a few dozen or more fish to study this question. If you have a lot of slack in your line you will not feel the strike, you will only be able to see it either by the line moving or with the use of a strike indicator for sub-surface action. With a tight line you should feel the strike in both the rod and the line at the same time, since the fly line has to pass through all those guides, the line will transmit the feel of the fish into the rod. I have to agree with Warren when he says that there are some rods that do not transmit hardly anything. Those are broomsticks. I like to feel the fight of the fish, from the take to the first few seconds of the fight, then for me it is a matter of getting the fish in so I can release it. Yep, I think you need to do more studying of this question out on the water. Have fun while doing it.

Larry ---sagefisher---