I doubt you'd have enough volume to make any practical difference, not to mention that it would be tough to obtain the kind of seal that would allow the helium to stay in place and active over many seasons.

.............

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I doubt you'd have enough volume to make any
> practical difference, not to mention that it would
> be tough to obtain the kind of seal that would
> allow the helium to stay in place and active over
> many seasons.
>
> .............



And I've always wanted to hold the Hindenburg in my hand.

Perhaps helium would be impractical. Then how about a small airfoil out near the tip-top, just big enough to supply more lift the faster the rod is swung? Wings would reduce the apparent weight of the rod and minimize the amount of additional weight which must be added to rods to achieve that light feeling.

Back when, I spent too much time swinging a pickaxe and a shovel, often in the company of men who had scores of years of experience with these class three (as are fish rods) levers. I never saw a one attempt to make his task less taxing by adding extra weight to his pick or shovel to balance it.