Interesting.

I have always been a Winston guy. Surprised Winston not mentioned.

When the Hardy Zenith came out and got great reviews from George Anderson, I bought one. It is a great rod.

A year ago, I was letting John juracek of Blue Ribbon Flies cast my new Zenith. He wasn't too impressed. He likes a more moderate flex rod. He suggested I look at a Sage ZXL.

Today, the ZXL (recently discontinued by Sage) is my very favorite rod. I still fish my Winstons and my Zenith, but the ZXL is my all-around favorite. It is a 9ft 5wt. version.

One has to adjust his cast to the differing flexes in rods. I think some of us are most comfortable with a rod which does not require us to adjust our cast, but fits our "natural" casting stroke................