JohnS - the SA4 was my very 1st quality fly rod, which I used in the Smokies a lot. It is a relatively fast (for glass) progressive and versatile stick in line with the Fisher blanks(excepting the Winston Stalkers) of the era. My Hardys (JET and Perfection) in that size range are similar in style, and different than Russ Peaks, Scott (old and new), Fenwicks, Phillipsons, Silaflex, and for sure the white wonders.
I haven't had a chance to put a Parametric which is a size heavier thru the paces.
When the S Glasses came out, they displaced my mind space in this arena, and I really need to get back and recalibrate where the SA's fit now that I'm way down the road from the day.
As for contemporary factory glass in this size range, you ought to consider the Lamiglas Brush Creek (you can still get the older, straight honey glass from David Lewis) or the Diamondglass. In different ways, both of these have the direct, straight up feel of the SA's but with a bit more subtlety, and you don't have to worry about replacements in the event of some accident.
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