[BigCliff]

Saw this link on another board, vid's kinda crappy, but its coming straight from the horse's mouth:

Hook.tv Flyfishing

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Cliff,

Thanks for the link. Interesting video. I was a little surprised at the length until I read the description from Sage. They are thinking that they can be used in BASS Tournaments. Price is $350.

Here is Sage's description:

After working with a small, tight-lipped group of serious bass anglers, we’ve developed two new rods that can drop a hair frog or an air-light diver with pinpoint accuracy and hardly a ripple on the water. From a fly fishing perspective, we’re talking about effortlessly pushing big, wind-resistant bugs into tight quarters. Available in two models, Smallmouth and Largemouth, both rods measure 7'11", which slides them just under the strict bass tournament rules for rod length. Additionally, both rods are sold with custom bass taper flylines and a travel case for protection.

When used outside the bass fishing world, we strongly recommend them for probing the mangroves or throwing huge flies for pike and muskies

[Jackster]

Scott has had a rod similiar to this out for a while now.
I cast it in February at a fly show:
Back Country Special
779/3 9wt. 7'7"

My buddy hand it to me at the casting pool and asked me to cast it but not look at what it was. It sure was different and thunky at short range. Once a bit of line got out though it was a rocket!
Though it'll no doubt work for bass tourneys, Scott markets it as a tarpon/kayak/mangrove rod.
My fishing buddy bought one for salmon fishing in close quarters.

[BigCliff]

I've got a similar rod I built as well. Its a GL2 7'6" popping rod blank with sort of a medium light spinning rod action. I built it with a Tennesse sliding ring reel seat setup that works for either spin or fly. It takes a stout double haul with an 8wt or a 9wt line to load it, but good lord its a rocket too. Those spinning guides work REALLY well to shoot line.

The main challenge with rods like this is deciding whether you are going to short yourself on backing, cut the fly line short, or set it up with a reel that's too heavy for the rod. (or drop $700 plus on an uber-light reel)