ALL NEW: SAGE R8 SPEY ROD REVIEW

ALL NEW: SAGE R8 SPEY ROD REVIEW.

Sage's Beautiful Spey R8 8130-4! (photo by Callum Brock)

"The Sage Spey R8 8130-4 is really light in my hand, easy to cast with a Scientific Anglers Skagit 600 grain Head combined with a RIO iMOW Heavy 5' Int/5' T-14 sink tip. A joy to fish!" - Callum Brock.

Every few years, rod manufactuers come out with the latest, and greatest, new and improved rods.  This is a great thing for the consumer since the manufactuers are always looking for lighter and stronger materials and ways to make our fishing experiences even better than they already are.  When I look back at older rods, some that I still have and love to fish, it is amazing the differences in them compared to rods of today.

I can't tell you how many times I've gotten a new rod and fished it and wondered how it could ever get better than what I already have in my hand.  Well, needless to say everytime I think like that, here comes a new rod.  We benefit from manufactuers competing for your recreational dollars.  If they want to stay ahead of the game, they have to come through with the goods.  We also know that manufactuers are looking out for us, as the consumers, but we also know that they need to generate sales.  So these two factors keep pushing companies to come out with amazing rods every few years.

This leads me to this short review of the latest rod that I've been lucky enough to get my hands on.  The NEW Sage R8 Spey 8130-4.  Typically here in the Columbia River Gorge, where I do most of my steelhead fishing, a 7wt spey rod is most sufficient, even a 6wt is prefered during the summer months when throwing a Scandi line.  But, I needed an 8wt for winter fishing the Oregon Coast and for future trips to the Skeena and such.  So, I bought myself the 13' 8wt and I am very pleased that I did.

I know and understand that the rod is a tool for me to get the job done, but that being said, I also love the asthetics of a beautifully built rod.  Asthetically when thinking of rods that stand out in this catagory, I think of rods like Winston, C.F. Burkheimer, and a few others automatically come to mind.  I'd like to include the new Sage R8 Spey rod in this short list.  They have done a wonderful job and asthetically, the rod is very pleasing to my eyes!

I'm loving the butt section of the handles design, making it very comfortable to hold during the stroke of the cast.  I am not a huge fan of thick handles, and Sage has done a fantastic job with these handles.  Also, I really love the Ale Blank color, as I also do on my Sage Trout Spey HD 2wt rod.  In my opinion, I love this color for a rod second to only the famous Winston Green rods.  In addition the Granite aluminum componentry is stunning and one of my favorite colors as well.  Asthetically, that's my 2 cents.

Shop Sage R8 Spey Rods Here

FINE-TUNED ACTIONS:

Action: Switch - For Cast in Tight Quarters | 7116-4, 8116-4

Action: Lightweight Line Speed - Accurate Distance with Light Spey Lines | 5126-4, 6130-4.

Action: Max Versatility - Spey Casting Mulit-Tool | 7126-4, 7130-4, 7136-4, 8130-4, 9130-4.

Action: Most Powerful - Max. Power, Distance & Control | 8126-4, 8136-4, 9140-4, 10150-4.

MODELS TO COVER YOUR NEEDS:

• 5 wt: 5126-4
• 6 wt: 6130-4
• 7 wts: 7116-4, 7126-4, 7130-4, 7136-4 
• 8 wts: 8116-4, 8126-4, 8130-4, 8136-4
• 9 wts: 9130-4, 9140-4, 9140-6 (6 piece)
• 10 wt: 10150-4

LINE RECOMMENDATIONS:

• 5 wt 12'6" | 5126-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 350-400gr
• Scandi 300-350gr
• Recommended - Skagit 375 - Skagit Max Power
• Recommended - Scandi 320 - Scandi Launch

• 6 wt 13' | 6130-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 400-450gr
• Scandi 350-400gr
• Recommended - Skagit 425 - Skagit Max Launch
• Recommended - Scandi 380 - Scandi Launch

• 7wt 11'6" | 7116-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 450-500gr
• Scandi 400-450gr
• Recommended - Skagit 475 - Skagit Max Power
• Recommended - Scandi 440 - Scandi Launch

• 7wt 12'6" | 7126-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 500-550gr
• Scandi 450-500gr
• Recommended - Skagit 525 - Skagit Max Power
• Recommended - Scandi 470 - Scandi Launch

• 7wt 13'0" | 7130-4
• Ideal Line:
• Skagit 500-550gr
• Scandi 450-500gr
• Recommended - Skagit 525 - Skagit Max Launch
• Recommended - Scandi 470 - Scandi Launch

• 7wt 13'6" | 7136-4
• Ideal Line:
• Skagit 500-550gr
• Scandi 450-500gr
• Recommeded - Skagit 525 - Skagit Max Launch
• Recommeded - Scandi 470 - Scandi Launch

• 8wt 11'6" |  8116-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 500-550gr
• Scandi 450-500gr
• Recommended - Skagit 525 - Skagit Max Power
• Recommended - Scandi 470 - Scandi Launch

• 8wt 12'6" | 8126-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 575-625gr
• Scandi 520-580gr
• Recommended - Skagit 600 - Skagit Max Launch
• Recommended - Scandi 520 - Scandi Launch
• 8wt 13'0" | 8130-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 550-600gr
• Scandi 500-550gr
• Recommended - Skagit 575 - Skagit Max Launch (don't be afraid of a 600gr head)
• Recommended - Scandi 520 - Scandi Launch

• 8wt 13'6" | 8136-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 575-625gr
• Scandi 520-580gr
• Recommended - Skagit 600 - Skagit Max Launch
• Recommended - Scandi 520 - Scandi Launch

• 9wt 13'0" | 9130-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 600-650gr
• Scandi 550-600gr
• Recommended - Skagit 625 - Skagit Max Power
• Recommended - Scandi 580 - Scandi Launch

• 9wt 14'0" | 9140-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 625-675gr
• Scandi 550-610gr
• Recommended - Skagit 650 - Skagit Max Launch
• Recommended - Scandi 580 - Scandi Launch
• Recommended - Traditional - 710gr Mid Head Spey

• 10wt 15'0" | 10150-4
• Ideal Lines:
• Skagit 675-750gr
• Scandi 610-670gr
• Recommended - Skagit 725 - Skagit Max Launch
• Recommended - Scandi 640 - Scandi Launch
• Recommended - Traditional - 785 Mid Head Spey

   Shop our extensive selection of Spey Lines

Shop other Spey rods from Sage

Is a new spey rod is in your near future?  Be sure to give the new Sage R8 Spey lineup a hard long look.  Rod's nowadays can cost a small fortune and getting your moneys worth is always important.  If it weren't, we wouldn't spend hours doing research looking for that perfect rod.  With the new R8 lineup, there's definitly a rod for your needs, including a rod for the traveling steelhead/salmon fisherman who need a 6 piece rod for traveling.  The 14' 9wt comes in a 6 piece version for just that reason.  Now that there's another rod choice in the mix, hopefully it doesn't make it even more confusing.  If you find it hard to choose, we're here to help you get the right tool for the job.  Sage has been around a long time, their seasoned at designing/building rods that are a joy to fish with.

We are always happy to talk about fishing, fishing gear and help with any questions you may have.  Give us a call at 541-386-6977 or drop us a line at info@gorgeflyshop.com.

Thanks for reading.

GFS Team

John

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

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Sage Spey II Reel - New size just arrived 5/6/7

Great move by the fine folks at Sage.  The new Spey II reels come in three different sizes.  This is the smallest size, the 5/6/7.  Perfect for Switch Rods and shorter/lighter Spey rods.  Available in both Black (shown here) or Granite.   These will not last long!

Shop Sage Spey Reel Here

Shop our Spey Rods Here

Shop our Trout Spey Kits

Shop our Spey Outfits Here

 

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  Join our Team |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Sage Trout LL Fly Rods - New

Trout LL

Drawing inspiration from historic Sage rods of the past, the TROUT LL is a nod toward tradition with a classic appearance and a smooth casting taper, yet adds modern performance features in accuracy and loop control through the backbone of Konnetic HD blank material.

With a delicate touch and medium action, the TROUT LL family has been designed with the trout angler and dry flies in mind. Through blank taper optimization and specialized length offerings, the TROUT LL is perfected for wade fishing, closer casts, small flies, and light tippets. A relatively supple tip maximizes light tippet protection and gives way to a smooth easy-loading mid-section that increases feel and feedback throughout the casting stroke. When the hatch is on, the TROUT LL is an angler’s best friend.

The TROUT LL series is available in a combination of classic dry fly line weights and lengths 7’9” though 9’0” while beautiful wood inserts and premium componentry add an elegant touch to these high performance rods

FEATURES

• KonneticHD Technology
• Mahogany blank color
• Bronze primary thread wraps with Gold trim wraps
• Fuji ceramic stripper guides
• Hard chromed snake guides and tip-top
• Walnut wood insert with Bronze up-locking reel seat
• Super Plus snub-nose, half-wells cork handle
• Tan rod bag with Brown logo and model tag
• Brown powder coated aluminum rod tube with Sage Medallion

LINE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Primary: RIO InTouch Gold
• Technical Presentations: RIO Technical Trout

MODELS

• 379-4: Small caddis and attractors
• 389-4: Tricos and small mayflies
• 486-4: Small to medium sized mayflies and caddis
• 490-4: Small to medium sized mayflies and caddis
• 586-4: Medium sized caddis and terrestrials
• 590-4: Medium sized mayflies, caddis, and terrestrials
• 690-4: Larger stoneflies and terrestrials

Find Sage Trout LL Rods at...

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  Join our Team |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us" 

Sage Dart Fly Rods - New for 2019

New for 2019, Sage Dart Fly Rods

Some sizes are in stock now and others coming very soon.

Sage Dart sort of replaces the Sage Little Ones but after looking and casting one they really are all new rods. Designed for the spring creeks, tight quarters and provide performance friendly, fast action while maintaining precision presentations. The rod blanks are very thin and all rods in series are a three piece design. Very light and crisp. They cast especially well with RIO InTouch Trout LT Double Taper Fly Line and for the best of short casting the all new RIO Creek Fly Line

• KonneticHD Technology
• Sapling Green blank color
• Bronze thread wraps with Gold trim wraps
• Fuji ceramic stripper guides
• Ultra-Light hard chromed snake guides and tip-top
• Vera wood insert with Bronze anodized aluminum up-locking reel seat
• Super Plus snub-nose, half-wells cork handle
• Tan rod bag with brown logo and model tag
• Portobello colored powder coated aluminum rod tube with Sage medallion

Model	Line	Length	Handle	Weight (oz)	Tube Size
076-3	0	7'6"	Snub Nose Half Wells	1 13/16	32"
176-3	1	7'6"	Snub Nose Half Wells	1 7/8	32"
276-3	2	7'6"	Snub Nose Half Wells	1 15/16	32"
366-3	3	6'6"	Snub Nose Half Wells	1 11/16	32"
376-3	3	7'6"	Snub Nose Half Wells	2 1/16	32"
476-3	4	7'6"	Snub Nose Half Wells	2 1/8	32"

Find Sage Dart at "The Gorge"

"The Gorge"

Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977

GorgeFlyShop.com  |  Join our Team |  Contact Us

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

News Release - New Sage Salt HD

New for 2018 - Sage Salt HD

While it seems to me that Sage builds its legacy on rods such as the ONE or X, it's the Sage Saltwater series of rods that really get my attention. There is something about those fast action powerful rods that ignite my adrenaline.

Continuing onward into the Konnetic HD platform found in the Sage X Series, the New Salt HD promises to deliver more pulling and lifting power.

I'll have my hands on this new rod next week at the IFTD / I-CAST event. I can't wait to give it a test drive.

Here is what the Sage Media Release says about the New Sage Salt HD

Building on the success of the X using KonneticHD technology, renowned fly rod manufacturer Sage introduces the SALT HD. Offering more pulling authority and increased line lifting power than standard fast action rods, the SALT HD will ensure anglers can tame any saltwater species.

“Opportunities to catch saltwater species range dramatically from spooky bonefish on the flats to heart-pounding GT runs, so we created a rod that performs in all scenarios,” said Jerry Siem, Sage chief rod designer. “With that in mind, each rod in this family was designed specifically for a purpose - allowing for quick shots and even quicker second shots yet having the pulling power and ability to perform delicate presentations when needed.”

These Made in the USA rods, feature KonneticHD Technology for ultralight, strong, and slim blanks to help reduce fatigue and slice through the wind. The oversized hard chromed snake guides and tip-top ensure large saltwater knots slide smoothly, and the heavy-duty anodized aluminum reel seat is uplocking to ensure stability. Combined with a full-wells cork handle and a laser etched line weight on the slide band, these rods are ready to rock-and-roll when the fish of a lifetime swims by. 

Available in 6 -16 weights, each individual model is purpose-built for a specific saltwater application. The Squid Ink blank color pairs perfectly with Black thread wraps and Blue trim wraps. True to all premium Sage rods, the SALT HD comes with a custom rod bag, powder coated aluminum rod tube, and a lifetime warranty. MSRP: $950. 

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop

"Fly Fish the World with Us"