Having recently gotten an Orvis Helios2 9wt for my next permit trip I decided, the wind being negligible, to compare it today for distance casting against my 25 yr old Powell LGA 8wt. Both rods casted one of Jonn Gs big blockhead poppers using Airflos's 40+ flyline. I stood a cupl' above the water of the pond I chose for the test. While both rods were capable of 90+' casts the Orvis did so with less effort and more consistency. Both rods consistently managed 85-87'.Had the rods been identical line weights the results would have been a virtual wash.With an easier casting fly or an empty leader both rods can cast well into the backing of a 90' flyline.The Orvis was stiffer the Powell more limber and lively.While it was a fast action in its day the old P felt more like one of today's moderate action rods. I've always believed that before the family owned company "went south" in the late 90s Powell made the world's best flyrods. This test confirmed that for me today.