I really like the early (1980s vintage) Orvis graphites. I have owned a few of these and they are moderate action, full flexing rods. My favorite is the 7'9" 'Far and Fine' 5wt. I also have a 9' 5wt Cortland Black Diamond that I still love to fish.

Orvis original graphite and a few Superfines of later vintages, including the current Superfine Touch line--plus the occasional bamboo. It would be a less graceful experience without some glass, though!
CC

The original Diamondbacks graphite rods from the early 80's had what could be described as a "glass" action. I have 3 from that era and they are nothing like today's modern graphite rods.

The gentleman that I got my first FF807 from had at the time just acquired a long sought-after Far n Fine ... he was fired up. Between his enthusiasm and that of the others on this board, I'm gonna have to find someone who will at least let me swing one once or twice.

I have an Orvis HLS that I fished for years before I got back to glass and got into (such as it is) cane. I would have no trouble with that and/or my South Bend canes. For that matter, I have had no issue with the assorted other graphite rods I have had: Cabelas lines, Bass Pro lines, the Berkely Cherrywood (a real sleeper there, esp for the meager price). One way or the other, I'll fish untill they make it illegal, and then I'll die in the revolution.

fenwick hmg's ... aurelio

I would fish whatever was available. As far as I am concerned the tool doesn't define the craftman.

To answer your question. I would fish some of the same rods that I regularly fish now. Most of those are the Scott Gs and a couple are circa 1960 Orvis bamboo. Nice tools and nice toys are well nice. However I sometimes think we (I) get a little too wrapped up in the tools and lose sight of our quarry. I guess each to their own. I enjoy the gear as much as the next guy but being on a wild stream catching a few wild fish is what puts a smile on my face.

I guess what I am saying there is a big world out there. Why would anyone want to undoely limit themselves to one flavor? We may have some favorites, but we may also have some that are worth of a taste from time to time.

Just as I have to search for glass that suits me, I would have to search for grass and graphite to do so. They are out there, maybe just a little harder to find. Focusing on graphite in 4 wt and below and the vintage plastic mentioned above would be involved. Both Kerry Burkheimer and Terry Johnson produce some graphite that has a nice feel to me. I certainly would be sporting a smaller quiver for the prices I would have to pay.

I have an early Gary Loomis Im6 "Signature rod" that would get some fishing time. I'd also try out other early graphite to see what I liked. If I could find a discounted Hardy Zenith that would be a rod I would add to my arsenal. Sure would miss my fiberglass though.

My early 8 1/2' 5 wt. old Orvis(forget what model it was) was a great rod; I liked my Sage SLT 9' 5 wt. also and my Winston 7'9" 3 wt. LT - however, the finest graphite rods I ever cast are McFarland's Vintage Series - the 8'8" 4 wt. would be the first graphite rod I picked up if I couldn't fish glass and bamboo.

After rediscovering the Orvis 7/11 4wt, a Deerfield-Fisher Power Pak 5/6wt, a "vintage" Bean Double L 6/7 that I assume is also a Fisher, I have a feeling my glass rods aren't going to see exclusive use this season. Three marvelous fly rods.

As a relative newcomer to glass that is an easy question. Excluding bamboo which is the obvious choice; I would continue to enjoy my Winston DL-4's, (the 3wts are amazing!), and my Winston WT's, (TMF & 8'6" 3wt).