Yes....but all cane rods, and modern graphite rods are going to feel tip heavy once they are lined and you’re fishing with them. The vital aspect of a balanced outfit to me comes down to having the right taper and weight of line to optimize your rods casting performance. I do use a 4 inch Salmon Perfect with this rod but not because it’s added weight balances the rod but because it holds more backing to handle a 30 lb Springer in the high water and fast currents of early June on the Restigouche. Once the water levels drop and the currents subside, the 3 3/4 inch Perfect gets the nod as it’s a lighter option.
As an example, I enjoy Far and Fine Off fishing with a Scott MacKenzie 18 foot graphite spey rod while wading in waist deep water and casting 50 to 60 yards at narrow angles from 35 to 18 degrees to undisturbed salmon downstream. These reduced angles provide for a slower swing and presents the salmon or steelie with a different profile of the fly. I have used a 4 1/2 inch vintage 1905 check Brass Faced Salmon Perfect with this rod but this added weight doesn’t provide any advantage. My favourite reel with this 18 ft. rod is a Salmon Marquis 3 Silent Check reel. This reel when loaded with 300 yards of 30 lb backing and a Carron Spey line with a 105 foot head is considerably lighter than the 4 1/2 inch Perfect. The rod is noticeably tip heavy, but this seems to add to the casting momentum necessary to launch a longer head.
A cane rod, especially the Wood GL with the steel core, is going to make for a heavier outfit. Rather than trying to “balance” it as we would with 6 ft midge rod and a 2 1/2 inch reel, I’d recommend trying to lighten it up. I know “balance” is subjective and that some anglers feel differently and actually add weight to their reel seats to obtain a balance point on the rods handle to their liking. However, unlike a single hand trout rod, the elongated spey rod handles are designed change your upper hand position to accommodate different casting strokes. A fixed balance point offers minimal comfort and advantage. A few extra ounces of weight for your outfit though can be felt during a long afternoon session of casting into the wind.The enclosed photo is a 15 ft Sharpes spliced cane spey rod paired with a 4 1/2 inch wide body reel. Rather than using the heavier 4 1/2 inch BF Perfect, I chose the lighter 1914 era 4 1/2 inch Silex reel which is a couple of ounces lighter. This outfit weighs in excess of 3 pounds but the parabolic action of the spliced cane, flexing through the handle, feels like the rod is casting itself, regardless of feeling initially tip heavy.
