Charlie,
I purchased my first spey rod last winter, a cairnton 13' 8/9 F off Ebay for @ 200 bucks. I had started casting friend's rods for about 2 months the preceeding fall so I was a beginer caster, now after a full year i'm an expert beginer so read my review with my level of experience in mind.
Right off the bat I was suprised at how soft the rod was, seemed whippy compared to the borrowed sage, st croix and arc that I had my first casts with. I casted wind cutter, mid spey and mastery spey lines. Using sink tips the rod really bent over but did pull the tips up. Forming the D loop the rod was curved into a deep arc and slow in the forward cast. I'd describe it as slow and traditional. I checked out threads re: Talon and their web site and saw that they also market a S (for slow) and a XF (extra fast). I found myself wondering what the XF would feel like. I could'nt imagine that the S would be any slower. Talon's web site described their rods action as unique!
I caught the spey flu and last summer and I purchased an ARC, CND and T&T. All top of line. I live on a stream so I was able to fish or practice upwards of 100 days and got my 4 basic casts down using these three eclectic rods. Around Thanksgiving I realised that I had never caught a steelhead on my Talon so out I went. What a gas! The fish were in thick by then and I never had so much fun battling steelhead with the Talon bent over @90*. I even set up my XLT and Grand Spey and was amazed that the rod threw them way out there. I pretty much fished up till the river froze over with the rod. I can't say that I have a favorite rod, I love them all. Certainly a huge difference between them especially the fast action T&T. The Talon is not a celebrity rod but I'm pleased to have this one in my quiver. Link