So do fly rods "break in" over time? I know that people become better casters over time but...

Lately I've been practice-casting my older (6 years) 2 piece Cortland 8.5 5wt, the first rod I ever bought. For about $80, it came in a plastic kit with a video tape on fly fishing and some starter flies [insert tears of nostalgia here...]

At the time I bought it, my friends applauded my purchase but about a year later confessed to me that this rod actually "stunk"...what did I know? So I agreed with them (not knowing then that oftentimes ANY rod can make a good rod (and therefore a good cast)). $ does not always equal a good rod...

Now a days, however, that rod casts like a freakin' cannon. I can shoot line from that rod further than any of my other rods (all of which are newer and more $ than the Cortland). My other rods--all 4 pieces--are either 3wt or 4wt so maybe the Cortland (a 5wt) will cast further because it's heavier? I know my casting's improved over the years but not on a level commensurate with my surprise at how well this Cortland casts.

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