This rod has seen a lot of use but remains one of my favorites for its purpose. I also have two spinning rods with the same specs. It started as a short handled rod, but I extended the rear grip by 5 inches, making the rear grip 10 inches long so I can cast two handed.
The ferrule looks reinforced, not sure exactly how.
The action is medium fast, but not as fast as modern day rods called medium fast.
Stu Apte did a graphite fly rod series with Diamondback, but they were blue. This blank color is a subtle maroon brown, and very hard to show in photos, for me anyhow. Stu also had Reilly Rod Crafters, Palmyra, VA finish and sell some tarpon fly rods on what I believe is the same manufacturer. I have contacted them so we'll see what they reply with.
Thanks for looking - much appreciated!
Edit: Chris Reilly responded to my inquiry, and thought that the original Stu Apte Signature Series rods were manufactured in Arkansas. Any ideas who that may have been back in the late 80's early 90's? They were marketed by Offshore Anglers which is where I bought mine.
Thanks!