There is a video around of Lefty Kreh demonstrating casting at a show. Fellow in the audience is carrying on about how it has to be the rod... Lefty says "The line" and goofball repeats rod.

Lefty says nothing while goofball continues and strips all of the line off the reel and drops it on the floor. Then he takes the line in hand, no rod, and casts the entire line in a couple false casts.

"Yup, must be the rod..."

I personally do not like newer Sage rods much. I am plenty practiced with a fly rod to cast far enough... Few would want to compete with me for distance, apples:apples. I enjoy a softer rod for the ease of casting. I can let my mind wander and still make it work.

A friend told me the other night a casting guru had told him "Style is not substance done poorly."
art

Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.