I remember the ole Brown beater... A few of the pals liked to cast that rod. I was a fan of the red sage.... can't remember what kind it was...bought it for the Colorado trip I never went on. As for the best sage out there...I still say the Xi2 8wt hands down the best casting rod. Stiff enough to punch through the wind, and enough back bone to keep a red out of the mangroves. Either way... Sage makes a great product, and they know they do by their price. Glad you found a new stick...
Cast on Pals,
Pal