Has anyone tried the 8wt Hardy Gem Smuggler?

"Jarmo Hurri" wrote in message
...

That time of the year again...

I've been thinking of getting a sturdier one-handed travel rod, and I
just bumped into an 8wt Hardy Gem Smuggler with a reasonable price
tag. However, as usual, I have again no way of casting the rod before
buying (that's the way we usually have it over here, no matter how
much we cry over the issue). So I was wondering if anyone has had a
chance to try this rod. All information would be much appreciated.

Did Abu then use Hardy blanks or vice versa?
The multi-piece Abu 7/8 pack rod was a honey,
slow action, good for beginners (when last used
about 1975.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)