Looking to buy a new 8wt rod. Would like some advice the pro and cons between Beulah,Winston, Sage, Loomis, mostly for skagit casting on the Clearwater and rigging area.
I'm noticing a distinct lack of ill-founded opinion on this thread so far. Let me see if I can help that. Here are some random thoughts.
I should note I own or have owned rods from all the producers listed, most in the 7/8 range (my Beulahs are 6wts). Almost universally what I fish now is either a Meiser or, actually, a beat-up second-hand Scott T2H. Having said that, given that there are multiple models of fly rods available from all those producers, particularly when you count the recently-discontinued models that are still widely available at retail (often closeouts) and/or secondhand, your request covers a lot of ground. I'm guessing there are few people if any that have deep experience with so wide a range.
Loomis makes range of rods in several different actions. One of them, the Dredger, and this turns out to be the one I have, was specifically designed with continuous-motion casting in mind. It's a deep-loading, relaxing rod to cast. Given the price point, I don't especially like the cosmetics/fit/finish on the Loomis rods. But this rod is really the exemplar in the deep-loading relaxed-casting category if that is what you are after.
The previous-generation top-end Winstons (BIIX) and Sages (Z-Axis) I both found annoying in that they more resembled overgrown trout rods (wimpy hardware, up-locking reel seats, short grips). That is not what I want in a heavier-class spey rod. Both appear to have partially addressed these issues in the newer models. The BIIX I have is squishy in the tip then gets stiff real fast, not at all what I want when pulling out a deep sunk line. I've spent a fair bit of time with a Z-Axis 8134 and a skagit head, but at the end of the day I prefer the MKS action, even past the build issues.