If the cost was not part of your consideration when buying a rod, what would you buy?

I would own my "go to" rod I have now...a Sage Xi2 8wt. It's perfect for the wadefishing I do here on the TX coast.

Oh, I would also get my hands on one of those Orvis 150th anniversary bamboo rods and keep it under lock and key.

2 Winston B2X's, one a 8.5 ft 5 wt and one a 8 ft 4 wt.

A Midge from a builder I know 'up north'!

I think I'd like to get either a Sage 00710 TXL, 389 SLT, or Sage 890 XP. What the heck I need them all!

I would also be thinking the same way as Saltydog! A bamboo rod would also be real nive!

A reporter once asked Howard Hughes why, (he) the richest man in the world still chose to buy and smoke cheap cigars. His reply was something on the order of " Well, I'm fortunate enough to be in a position that I can smoke exactly what I enjoy."

While I'm FAR from ( read: not on the horizon) being weathy, I've managed to bang out a respectable enough living to fully fund my follies. I also, after coming full circle in this ( expensive) game, have come to share Mr. Hughes point of view.

i.e. I don't really care about equipment, brands, trends or cost. I buy, fish and stick with what particular gear feels good to me just becasue it's what I feel comfortable with.

Consequently, no big wishes here.

I've got a pretty good quiver of BIIx's so I'd go along with Saltydog,more or less. I'd like a high quality 7'6" 3wt. darkly flamed cane, but not to put in a closet. I'm not a collector, I'm a fisherman. I'd be putting my rod on the stream.

I guess I´d get the Sage TCR 691-4 or 697-4 I am still saving $$$ for !!!

Dreaming is free, still ...

Glenn Bracketts last Winston 'boo rod 4w, and a Tom Morgan bamboo- 4 & 5w
I ain't picky.

A Ron Kusse 7 1/2' for a 5 quad....but I already did that.
http://www.ronkusse.com/quads.html

Oh yea, forgot about a Quad from Kusse.
How long did it take you to get it Bucko? I imagine it's a dream to cast and fish with.

If money was no object a Tcr'XP,Xi2 all 8wts made by streamside custom rods.A new Hardy 8/9 cascapedia reel,a new pair of waders 12 boxes of cigars Monte Cristo #2 and a Helicopter

The last time I ask Mr. Kusse he told me his lead time is 2 years.
The rod is a fine fishing instrument, lite in hand, crisp-- it has to be one of the best rods ever built.
Although not cheap the rod is a work of art...flawless thread work and varnish, understated elegance...a lovely thing to look at.