Here's a project rod that started out as a half built Sage SFL 789-2 that I traded for. I stripped it and sent it down to Steve Godshall in Southern Oregon. He fitted a small fiberglass stent in the butt section to extend the rod to about an even 9ft. He found a 20 year old spool of Gudebrod 396 brown in his shop, and built the handles with high graded our flor cork. He used hardware that Bob Meiser uses on his spey builds (they share a workshop). Overall, I'm happy with the finished rod. It works as both a single hand rod or a two hander as well. Took it out this morning with an AirFlo Skagit Scout in 240 Grains and tapered polyleader, but it also likes an older SA Steelhead Mastery Taper in WF8F. Normally I like down-locking reelseats for my spey and switch rods (Burkheimer and Thomas & Thomas), but for this it made sense to allow for some more room to grab the bottom handle. It balances nicely with this Hardy St. Aidan that I bought off Tom McGuane - a very nice pair. I'm going to keep experimenting with lines but I think it'll be fun with smaller steelhead and larger trout. Might send it ahead for my annual SE Maine trip as well and overhead cast from the beach for Striped Bass. It's built for the salt. If anyone has a spey or switch rod project, I would highly recommend Steve's services. He has a lot of passion for building and repairing interesting rods, especially for two hand casting. Wonderful human being to deal with. Shoot me a PM if you'd like his contact info. Thanks for looking -