Sage ??

What are your thoughts on Sage quality these days?

I have memory of old Sage sticks that took a hell of a beating and never broke. Granted there has been plenty of changes/upgrades in technology to lighten up fly rods and improve over all performance but the current materials, especially as they taper in the rod tips seem to be extraordinarily brittle and are subject to snapping with very little force, (I'm not talking about a bad cast where a monster, articulated streamer whacks the rod).

Not trying to bash Sage rods. I dig them. Just looking to see if the folks that own or sell the newer gen rods from Sage have experienced lots of breaks compared to other rod companies.

Hmm, I personally fish a Sage 5weight ZXL (that I love beyond what any reasonable person should feel for an inanimate object), a 6 weight Z Axis ( you may know something about that one) and just recently got a an 8 weight TCX for my birthday (for the occasional foray to the salt) and have had no issues breaking any of them. I am not that careful with my rods, but these aren't the latest and greatest sticks either. I wouldn't be surprised that as they strive to be lighter and stiffer that they would indeed become more brittle.

Never had an issue with the 6wt Z Axis but the 8wt I had busted twice. I am going on a third tip for a 7wt One and second on a 5wt One. I was lucky enough to grab both of these at very nice discounts to retail but after the replacement tips....

I'm pretty careful with rods these days. Much more so than I used to be. I'm starting to think the One rods in particular were designed for the angler who goes on a couple fishing trips a year who has a guide that handles his/her rods except for casting. The rest of the year the rods spend in a tube. That's the price point for those things but I was hoping for a durable rod. The pressure put on the tips of the 7wt One rod I have should not have been enough to cause the snap. A 12" trout could have bent the tip more! The break on the 5wt was in my boat rod holder. Granted, it was at the Summit this year and I was nursing a terrible hangover but still, I put the rod in gently and it didn't get hung up. There is a curve to the rod holder but I've put 2wts in there before with no issue. This went in and snapped as soon as it started to bend. No trauma prior!

U heading up this way at all this winter?

Sage Konnetic technology is as strong if not stronger than anything on the market. Basically they've removed a lot of the 'filler' to allow a better bond from graphite to graphite. This also brings the weight down and improves the way the rod tracks for better casting. Its pretty impressive walking through the factory and seeing each rod that goes out the door get QC'ed by hand. The majority of all breaks are caused by getting dinged at some point or another. If you're ever in Seattle it's worth taking the ferry over and seeing the factory.

My wife's Vantage has held up pretty well, but it is of the cheaper line of rods, so I am sure they are not pushing the envelope near as much as the One.

Some of Sage's stuff doesn't always make sense to me. Their reels are almost all sweet looking, but then this year all their bags are blue and ugly, which is inline with their reel seats. Why is it so hard for them to put good looking hardware and a wood with some nice grain on a $750 rod?

Their rods are built to last a lifetime. A lot of that fancier stuff won't hold up.

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Originally Posted by snapt

Their rods are built to last a lifetime. A lot of that fancier stuff won't hold up.

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I don't buy that the machined aluminum hardware and hardwood spacers on my Scott's won't hold up.

I can't speak to specifics but the Sage enginerds have detailed reasons to use or not use what they do. They use plenty of aluminum and specific types of wood. Take a tour if you ever get the chance, you can get all those questions answered, pretty cool how accessible they are.

I am sure they are great people, and all of their rods that I have cast or handled have worked very well...I am just saying they make ugly rods, beautiful reels, and the choice to only offer their bags in blue and grey this year seems strange.

It's good to hear everyone POVs about the Sage One. I'm in the market for a new rod right now and I was fighting between the One and the Orvis H2. I've already made my mind up and am going with the H2, but I still like to hear everyones thoughts about gear.

I should phrase that better...I find their fresh water rods unattractive. They would be in my top two or three if I was looking for a high end salt rod

Snapt, I would love to go check out the factory. I am a huge Sage fan. Based on Schwertys experience i am glad i haven't thrown down for a One just yet. I will say anytime I have had an issue with a rod the customer service has been nothing short of fantastic.
Snapt I have a question on Rio line, are you the right person to ask? If so I will shoot you a PM.

Sure am Teleee, shoot. If you make it up this way this spring you're more than welcome to try some ONE's out.

Why anyone would ever need a $1000 fly rod is beyond me. If its a pro-deal type thing i get it but jesus christ those things are spendy.

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Originally Posted by YoungManofTheMountain

Why anyone would ever need a $1000 fly rod is beyond me. If its a pro-deal type thing i get it but jesus christ those things are spendy.

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Why would anyone ever need anything more than a Timex or a Miller Lite?

very true. for that kind of $$$ durability would be at the top of my must haves list though. schwertys story about the rod breaking in the boat would piss me off something fierce.

Snapt, I will for sure be up some time in the spring, I have been know to hit the South Fork during some high pressure as well. It would be awesome to hook up and fish. Maybe invite Schwerty over so he can break one of those Ones for you.

Lets do it, and we'll see if Schwerty is man enough to break a Method :wink: I just hope we have water this year.

Sweet! I am in. By the way gretch I happen to really like the blue/gray Sage color. In fact Miss Teleee got me he new pack for Christmas...
Can't wait to pack that sucker up and head to Key West to chase the poon with Hook.

Nice replies!

I'll test my rod breaking skills with you two. Just hand me a rod a some brown water and I'll go to work. I don't even have to be fishing!

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Originally Posted by YoungManofTheMountain

very true. for that kind of $$$ durability would be at the top of my must haves list though. schwertys story about the rod breaking in the boat would piss me off something fierce.

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And that is why a good warranty is number one on the list for any flyrod :-) Doesn't matter how durable it is when I slam it in my tailgate....

I fished a Sage One 6wt all season last year (April-November probably 75-80 days) and it has held up just fine. I do not take my rods apart and put them in a tube nor am I particularly easy on gear.

BTW I put a Rio 7 wt steelhead taper line on it and it is money for mending while nymphing and chucking junk.

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Originally Posted by schwerty

Nice replies!

I'll test my rod breaking skills with you two. Just hand me a rod a some brown water and I'll go to work. I don't even have to be fishing!

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Let's put some dates together.... And for the record, I don't think I could ever convince myself to throw down a $1,000 for a rod. Luckily I can get some pretty sweet deals on Sage which makes it worthwhile. Plus the warranty on their rods is second to none. I repeat, I love casting my ZXL mor than I like damn near anything else I do in life (except that).

I have a TCX that I absofuckinglutely love. I've nailed it with junk streamers, and it's held up like a million bucks. I bought it used from Bill Kiene right after I started fishing. It has been to hell and back, with a newbie fly fisherman, all over the world. Now, it's lined up with a T14 shooting head, and it absolutely sings. I love it so much I am seriously considering a Method.

You don't have to spend Sage money to get a good warranty. You guys all realize that the warranty program in this sport is truly unique? If you drive over you skis, surfboard, tennis racquet, golf clubs, climbing rope or jet ski, you are fucked. With a Sage, $50 bucks + shipping and you have a new stick. Three rods on the same warranty, and things are looking a little cheaper.

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Originally Posted by teleee

Let's put some dates together.... And for the record, I don't think I could ever convince myself to throw down a $1,000 for a rod. Luckily I can get some pretty sweet deals on Sage which makes it worthwhile. Plus the warranty on their rods is second to none. I repeat, I love casting my ZXL mor than I like damn near anything else I do in life (except that).

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I don't think I could bite the 1k on a rod either. I still get a deal but damn....even on a deal those things are pricey!

March is tough. I'm outta town for work and then a little Pro Leisure Tour time seeing Grateful Dead spin off bands. Spring Break with the fam at the end on the month into early April. I'm into a February float on the Hank or SF in the right weather. Should be here all of April and May too.