Good to hear about Loomis - never looked at them much and being in WI - when people start talking the higher end rods, it always seems to be Croix - local and all.
I think everyone who really enjoys fishing and not just wasting an afternoon on the bank with a 6'r deserves and should try a really great rod.
I got my walleye rod when Sportsman's was closing. IIRC the list on it was about 3 bills and I managed to hold out and get them down to 75 bucks on the rod. Was a big change going from the usual Ugly Stick to something like that. Amazing sensitivity and I ain't broke it yet....
Hear you on the ice in the eyes with braid - only really have that issue with ice-out walleye on the river and even that's only a couple weeks. I just deal with it. I'll never go back to "regular" line as far as I can see.
