Winston Microspey vs Sage Trout Spey

Maybe Trout Spey isn't new! 

But there's a new trout angler reaching out for new two hand trout rods and lines and defining a new passion for today's trout angling.

It wasn't long after my first trout spey catch to realize that I had a lot to learn about two hand trout spey. With much time spent researching I came to realized there wasn't much out there to help my new found interest. Basically the forefront of trout spey was and to some extent still is an open chapter in the bigger picture of modern trout fishing today.

I've had the privilege to spend some time with the best new rod offerings available from Winston and Sage. The most recent is the Sage ONE 3110 Trout Spey. I want to emphasize "spend time with" because I'm not just writing a review from an experience in a casting pond or one day on the water. I actually have these rods and spend most all of my winter and spring chasing trout with them.

Attacked my Streamer on the swing

Winner? Microspey or Trout Spey

It's not that easy. Even after countless days on the water with several models of both makes I still don't have a clear choice of which is my favorite. As we speak I am trying to pick another new rod between two choices to add to my quiver while day after day I go back and forth tormented over which one to purchase next.

Review the facts

Sage One 4116-4

I started fishing trout spey in fall of 2013 with the Sage ONE 4116. At that time it was Sage's smallest offering. If you follow my Trout Spey Chronicles then you're aware that I'm quite the fan of the 4116. After all, it was the rod that provided my first trout spey catch and since I'm opening up personal firsts then I must also admit the 4116 provided my first ever brown trout catch. Not just spey brown trout but actual brown trout catch. And since I am in the mood to admit personal feats I must confess I was not really a trout enthusiast until I discovered trout spey and the Sage 4116. So right away it's hard for me to not be a little biased toward the Sage. Aside from all that, I have always felt a little over-gunned with the 4116 for much of the trout water I wade.
Favorite Line matches
RIO Scandi Short Versitip 320gr
Airflo Switch Streamer 330gr

When deciding on what size trout spey to own one should really consider the primary use. Is this rod intended to chase giant Alaskan Rainbows with mouse patterns or will it fish a local tailwater with bunny streamers. Will chunky streamers be your go to or do you plan on swinging small streamers and soft hackle rigs?

Along comes Microspey

Winston BIII MS 4110-4

R.L.Winston BIII MS 4110-4

Having fished the ONE for a year when I first picked up the 4110 Microspey it felt a bit slower than what I had become use to thus far. Not bad, just different. But the Winston is very intuitive; so much so that after a day of fishing I had tuned to its feel and learned to really appreciate the deep loading which turned out to be a better skagit casting tool for me. 

Favorite Line Matches - 

Airflo Switch Streamer 330gr

OPST Commando Head 325gr

Winston BIII MS 5116-4

R.L.Winston BIII MS 5116-4

Cannon! Wow! I have to be honest and say this is a rod for big water and big trout, maybe even small hatchery steelhead. What's cool about this rod is that it has the same trout spey size grips as the other microspeys which gives it a nice tight casting box but equipped with deep load power one would expect from a bigger rod. I don't have as many hours clocked on this rod simply because most of the water I fish on a regular basis doesn't need this much rod. Just like the 4110 though the 5116 is just as intuitive making it easy to pickup and cast like a champ anytime. 

Favorite Line Matches

Airflo Switch Streamer 390gr

Winston BIII MS 3106-4

Couldn't resist Sculpzilla

This is one that I wish to add to my arsenal. I don't own one but had the pleasure to borrow Travis' for a good while. It's easy to look at this rod and think that it is for the light work like swinging soft hackles and yes it is too sweet for this purpose. But as I started to push the limits of this rod I got surprised with what it was capable of. At the time there were no appropriate sized skagit heads for it so I fished it with a RIO Scandi Short 270gr and later started to experiment with franken skagits in that same approx grain weight range. I quickly realized we had a rod before we had a production line to work with it. Keep your Scandi handy for light work and load OPST 275gr skagit for sink tip streamer swinging and stripping. This little rod is incredible with todays ultra short skagits. I've heard the Airflo Switch Float is great on this rod too but I have not had a chance to give it a swing.

Favorite Line Matches

OPST Commando 275gr

RIO Scandi Short 270gr

Enter Sage ONE Trout Spey

Sage ONE 3110

Coming down to size is what the 3110 is all about for me. The Sage ONE 4116 is quite at home skating mice for Alaskan rainbows and more than capable of tackling large western rivers but it does give you a sense of too much for many of the smaller streams that so many trout anglers call home. I wanted a lightened up version to tackle the more average size trout water. Sage must have read my mind or more likely someone from the inside felt the same as I did.
What's different besides size? For one, the handle a bit shorter than its big brother and it should be. Smaller rod, shorter handle! Of course it's also a little lighter. The 3110 feels like a smaller lighter version of the 4116 but there is a twist. I've always felt the 4116 was a bit fast for my skagit-ability. The twist in the 3110 is the skagit feel. This little rod loves the skagit lines, especially the OPST Commando heads. I found it favors the 275 grains. I paired that with a RIO Gripshooter and quickly found mojo with this setup.

Ice on rod guides and a Hot January Rainbow

The ONE Trout Spey feels right at home with all kinds of tactics. It's a super fun streamer rod and continues to surprise me with the ease at which it casts them. I also find it very sensitive when fishing small wet flies and of course it is magic with soft hackles.
Favorite Line Matches
OPST Commando 275gr
RIO Skagit Trout Max 275gr

Note: I like to load a little heavy. This rod did just fine with 250gr heads but I prefer 275 grain.

Sage ONE Trout Spey 2109

This is the other rod I wish to add to my arsenal. I have not fished it yet but I hear it's a sleeper. Ryan got behind it at George Cook's Spey Day and here are a few words he said about it..."Light in hand, crisp, casts good distance for its size and feels like you could cast for a week and never get tired. One sweet little rod." Ryan believes George had it lined with a RIO Skagit Max Short in 225gr. And Ryan and I both believe it would be a perfect candidate for a OPST Commando 225gr head.

Pros and Cons

Side by side - Sage ONE Trout Spey & Winston BIII MicroSpey

Hard to find any Cons but here's what I like. I like the Sage grip. It just fits me perfect and feels right. This is true for all Sage rods including single hand models. In the Winston I like the finish. That classic Winston green with attention to little details like a nickel silver winding check just gives these rods class.

Conclusion

There is no loser here. If you like Winston rods you will like the Microspey and likewise with the Sage. You can help me end my torment and tell me which one you want me to review next.

Click to respond:  Winston 3106 or Sage 2109?

While trout spey isn't new we are very fortunate to be living in a time when the equipment is starting to match the sport. Awesome time it is for the New Trout Spey Angler!

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop Internet Sales Manager | Product Specialist

Read more: Trout Spey Chronicles

Spey Day with George Cook

A few brave souls casting some sweet sticks from Sage and Redington

On a snowy March morning Ryan and I drove (Ryan drove, I was Miss Daisy) up to Bend Oregon to meet up with George Cook for Georgie's annual Spey Day event of 2016. George puts on this private event so dealers and their employees have the opportunity to come out and test drive all Sage and Redington two hand spey and switch rods equipped with the latest RIO spey lines. No pressure to cast like a champ in front of the general public; just a few guys on the river taking as much time as they want getting to know the rods that they talk about on a daily basis. 

Andrew’s Overall favorite:  

This hasn’t changed for me at all in three years now.  It was the Sage ONE 7136-4.  There is not a rod that is easier to cast out there.  It is just such a joy to cast and fish all day.  If I had just one rod, this would be it. (Let’s hope that I never have to have just one though).

Ryan’s Overall Favorite: 

Mr. Wiggles for the win! The Accel 7126-4 was awesome!  A med/fast action rod that is smooth, powerful, light in the hand and super responsive.  I have been leaning towards shorter spey and swicth rods these days as they are better fits for my casting stroke and the water I fish the most.  This rod would absolutely cover most any condition you could run into for winter or summer steel.  Plain and simple, Mr Wiggles is the bomb!

Super sweet smooth loops with the Accel

Andrew’s Surprise favorite:  

The Accel 7126-4, a.k.a. “Mr. Wiggles” blew me away.  I couldn’t believe how comfortable and responsive it was.  It reminded me of the old Z-Axis, but the handle is smaller and more comfortable, and it feels lighter and more responsive.  I absolutely love it now, and I hadn’t given it much thought before.  It isn’t as fast as the ONE, but faster than the MOD.  It is in the favorites list for sure. Just because it isn’t Konnetic Technology doesn’t make it any less of a sweet stick.

Ryan’s Surprise Favorite:  

The Sage One Trout Spey 10’9” 2wt.  I thought this stick would just be too wimpy, but it has amazing casting distance and control and is unbelievably light and crisp.  This would be so much fun to fish soft hackles, dries, and small streamers on.  If you are looking for some small ball fun, this is it!

Andrew’s Sleeper favorite:  

Andrew ripping some off

The Redington Dually 8119-4.  I was expecting it to be heavy and clunky.  After ten minutes or so, I was formulating reasons (excuses) to buy this rod when I already have three switch rods.  This is light and powerful, and is just right for small coastal streams with big, strong winter fish.  I feel a little under-gunned with a 7wt switch on the coast in February when the potential for a 20# chromer is very good, but this fills the gap and is fun to cast. 

Ryan’s Sleeper Favorite:  

The Accel 7114-4 Switch!  I love switch rods, and have had my Sage One 7116-4 in my hand almost every day on the water since I bought it.  This Accel is so sweet and smooth.  Again very light like the One, but a bit softer.  This would be a great all around switch 7wt for anyone.

Andrew’s Redington Favorite:  

The Chromer 7126-4 is such a sweet rod!  I had cast the 7136-4 a few times and really it, but the shorter spey rod had a nice feel to it and really stuck out as a rod that I could get used to.  My casts were flying long and straight with ease. 

Ryan’s Redington Favorite:  

Going to be a broken record here: The Chromer 7126-4.  As I stated above I really have started to favor shorter spey rods and this one proves it once again.  Light in the hand, smooth but powerful casting, the best of both worlds.  I have been a fan of the Chromer 7136-4, especially at the price it retails for, and I think I like the 7126-4 even more!

Andrew’s Least Favorite:  

The Sage Pulse 7130-4 was my least favorite in the bunch.  I can say with confidence that any spey rod that Sage or Redington makes today is far, far nicer than any rod that I learned to cast with nearly 15 years ago.  This rod is stiffer than I prefer and it feels unresponsive.  I still would fish it with confidence as it is powerful and can launch casts with accuracy, but it was my least favorite rod in the bunch. 

Ryan’s Least Favorite:  

Well, I might catch some flak for this, but the MOD 7130-4 and 6130-4 were a bit of a disappointment to me.  Some guys at the spey day liked them, but these rods were just missing something to me.  I am not going to say they are bad rods, maybe just that for the price they disappointed me the most.  They are moderate action, but it doesn’t have that umpf and “soul” that good moderate rods like the Winstons or Burkheimers have.  They just felt a bit lifeless to me and that is no bueno for a $1000+ rod.

Another great Spey Day with George Cook!

We are both looking forward to doing this again next year as any day that we can spend on the water casting different rods is a bonus.  If you have any questions about any Redington or Sage spey/switch rod, feel free to give us a call, there is a good chance we spent some time on the water with it recently.

Andrew Perrault
Columbia Gorge Fishing Reports
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

New from Sage - "LITTLE ONE"

Sage LITTLE ONE  = Ultra Light Rods specifically for trout chasers

The LITTLE ONE couples the light blank with an ultra-light, custom anodized, up-locking reel seat and compact snub-nose, half-wells cork handle. This attention to detail offers anglers an ultra-light feel and ultra-light action from tip to butt. This family will retail for $850 and will be available in August 2015.

Sage builds on its successful ONE family of fly rods with the addition of the LITTLE ONE and the ONE Trout Spey. Both new rod families utilize Konnetic Technology®, Sage’s exclusive rod technology that allows for slimmer blank profiles with maximized strength and energy transfer without sacrificing line speed, responsiveness, and accuracy.

Sage LITTLE ONE

Notes from George Cook
The SAGE TXL-f series has come to a close, with this end comes a new beginning here in the form of, “The New Little Ones” with 5 models featuring an 8’2” length in 0-4 weight.  The big news here is that this small ball collection is built on the Konnetic technology platform and like its big brother, the ONE series provides un-paralleled accuracy and line control.  That feeling found in the world’s most accurate fly rod now is found in the delightful “Little Ones.”- 

Spey Day 2015 | My Experience, Your Benefit | Bend, Oregon

Got the email from Erik of Angler's Rendezvous (our Sage, Redington and Rio reps) that our annual Farbank Mini Spey day was going down on March 22nd, 2015 in Bend, Oregon, a short three hours drive from my hometown of Hood River. I thought, what a great excuse to get away and spend six hours casting Spey and Switch rods until my hands had to be pried from the cork handles...Like a warrior who's held a sword for hours during battle and his hands won't let go.

Spey Day - Bend Oregon

Sage and Redington Spey & Switch rods
patiently wait their turn to perform.

If this years Spey day is anything like last years, I am going to thoroughly enjoy it. It's not too often that a guy has the chance to cast multiple Spey and switch rods side by side, for an instantaneous direct comparison. To really get a feel for the difference, casting different models, lengths and tapers side by side is by far the best method of telling the differences. Honestly, not only is it fun for me to spend the 6 hours casting all the rods but it translates into the confident conversations that I have on a daily basis with customers who call the shop or drop in looking for guidance in making their first spey rod purchase or their tenth.

From a customers standpoint, there is nothing like talking to someone on the phone that has actually cast or fished with the rod that they are interested in. From a shops standpoint there is nothing like having an employee who has actually cast or fished with the rod that the customer is interested in. First hand knowledge of equipment reeks through your conversation over the phone. I hate talking to someone that seems to be reading right out of the catalog trying to sell me something. It doesn't take too long to realize when this is happening.

Google or YouTube anything today and in a matter of milliseconds you have years of information and opinions at your fingertips. This is a good thing and it can be a bad thing. Good because you can do research without the pressure of a used car salesman breathing down your neck paid by commission. Bad because you can do your research...too much research...research overload, so much to the point you can't make a decision one way or another. You're now more confused than when you first started. If you're reading this and are thinking of making a Spey or Switch rod purchase, with all due respect, do some research, and pick just a couple of fly shops that actually fish with spey rods and you're confident with, give them a call and get dialed in. I have had numerous conversations with customers who have over researched and finally, out of desperation reach out to us. I once had a customer (if this is you, I didn't mention any names) straight up, within the first few seconds of our conversation confessed that he had been researching the equipment he was interested in for months and that he had literally called nearly every fly shop in the United States and now was so frustrated because he kept getting conflicting intel. I totally understood what he was saying and I respectfully said to him...that he had become so saturated with information he couldn't make a decision because most of the folks he talked to contradicted the previous guy he called. I politely said to him that he needed to take a breath and pick a couple of shops, who actually use spey rods, and start to trust somebody. He agreed with my statement and confessed that he was exhausted from all the research and he thanked me for being so honest with him. I could actually feel the tension in his voice subside as I told him this.


In short he'd become so overloaded with different personal preferences from so many shops that he couldn't choose. Shop employees where giving him advise on their casting preferences but neglecting to ask him about his. He was transitioning into the two handed world from single hand rod experience. So I was able to gather enough info from him and his background with a single hand rod that I could recommend a rod suitable to the casting style he was already used to, which made for a smoother transition for him. The equipment he was interested in was expensive and he wanted the confidence that he was making the right choice for his investment. He didn't have a local shop that he could test drive the equipment or talk to anyone who even used a spey rod.

Spey Rods and Reels stacked like chord wood!
OK, where do I start!

There are many reasons why you need to take a deep breath, sit back, relax a bit, and approach the spey/switch scene with a bit of trust. I say that assuming from this point on you will take my advice and use a shop that actually lives and breaths to spey fish and knows the equipment.

There are a number of variables that will help us get you dialed in. For instance, your casting style, are you on the aggressive side or are you a bit more laid back and patient, what size of a river you fish, what style or technique will you want to use and much more. I cannot give you a true diagnosis of the correct rod you should choose, by just considering my casting style. That would be like going to the doctor because you're ill and the Doctor diagnoses you with his symptoms. Doesn't make sense, does it? I need to gather as much information from you to help you make the right choice.






For example, I once set up a petite woman with a Sage One 7116-4 (11'6" 7 weight) Switch rod and a Rio Skagit Max Short head due to the fact that she was small, the shorter switch rod and head fit her perfectly. The standard, go to, introduction to Spey rods, Sage One 7136-4 (13'6" 7 weight) was too big for her. Once she took the Switch rod outfit to the river, it didn't take her long to fall in love with it. I try my best to get as much information from the customer and their casting style before recommending which rods would suit them. If they have no experience at all, either with a single hand rod or a two hander, my default recommendation is typically a fast action rod such as the Sage One. There's a reason for this. Typically a fast action rod is much more forgiving than an ultra-fast action rod, were your timing is somewhat critical, or a slow action rod because most people, honestly don't have the patience to wait for a deep flexing rod to load up before they start their forward stroke. When casting an ultra fast rod, such as the Sage Method, if your stroke is on its "A" game the rod will let you know how awesome you are by producing blistering line speed with little effort. BUT if you're having a "B" day, you're gonna struggle and you may not like the Method so much. The Sage One is the perfect go to rod for most folks. It's easy going for a somewhat laid back caster, super smooth and yet still has the power if you give it a little more umph on your bottom hand when you need to. Now there are other rods that have a fast action that would suit the needs of most folks, I'm just using the Sage One as an example, because in the Sage lineup of rods, it is my go to "comfort food" rod. It's an amazing tool. I wouldn't know these intimate details of the Sage One if I didn't have a personal relationship with the rod. The Method is an awesome rod, no joke, it's awesome...for the guy who loves an ultra fast rod...not so awesome for the guy who likes a more traditional full flex rod.


In the six hours I spent casting, I cast 4 weight switch rods to 15' 10 weight spey rods and everything in between. Spending considerable amounts of time on each. If you want to test your casting skills grab a 4 wt switch rod and immediately after casting that for 20 minutes grab the 15' 10 weight Sage Method, then go straight for the Sage Accel 7126-4 aka "Mr. Wiggles" and just see if it doesn't take some adjusting before you get your stroke back. This is why I go to these "Spey Days". To be able to grab rods and cast them side by side for an accurate instant comparison is priceless for the customer who doesn't have that opportunity or have a local shop that they can do so themselves. My experience equals your benefit. You, the consumer benefits from my personal time spent with each of these rods. Now, if you call the shop and ask me about a rod that I have never cast, I will tell you that I have never cast that one...yet. I will be honest with you and tell you that I haven't lined that rod up yet. I can still describe the action of the rod, maybe even talk to you about the taper, give you a great line recommendation but this conversation won't have the passion in it compared to the rod I have actually went out and spent time on the water with or even personally owned. You can tell when someone has a bit of passion about something.


I'll end with this. The "Spey Day" was on one of my days off...just sayin...

Low and Clear

This beautiful Steelhead was caught on a Sage One 6126-4 in low clear water conditions. When water is low and clear, lighter rods, lighter sink tips or no sink tips, and natural colored flies are a good choice to improve your odds in landing the prize...

Remember, if you can’t find it at the Gorge Fly Shop, you don’t need it!

Gorge Fly Shop
John Garrett | Product Specialist
541.386.6977

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Get Started in Fly Fishing - Chapter Two - Fly Rods

The look on your face when you get a new rod

The fun begins with your first purchase. You're ready to buy a fly rod. Most will experience one of three possible scenarios.

1) You find yourself in a large outdoor chain store with plenty of things to buy but no help to see you through a good decision.

2) You find yourself in a upscale fly shop where the sales staff proceeds to make you feel inferior and unworthy of the sport.

3) You come across a yard sale or hand me down rod that is always the best ever according to the previous owner. Trust me. Its rare to find any worth $$$ in a yard sale. I know because I look for them.

I didn't intend to start off this article sounding cynical but I bet if many of you would comment with your stories many of them would match one of these three descriptions.

Too Many Choices

Too Many Choices

Lets start with import or USA built.We can discuss this subject from many different angles - here's the facts

USA Built 

Pros - The best fly rods are built in USA. All USA built fly rods are hand crafted. Most if not all USA built rods come with some kind of lifetime warranty. Most have good resale value.
Cons - Expensive! Cost of USA manufacturing, research and development, advanced materials technology that makes these rods the best come at a high price.
Summary - If you become passionate about fly fishing you will own USA built fly rods. What comes with these rods is a sense of pride. Hard to have that feeling for something imported from an overseas factory. I have had the pleasure of visiting many USA rod manufacturer facilities. I like knowing that the hands that built my rods also are as passionate about fishing as I am. Its a feeling you cannot put a price on.

Imported fly rods

Pros - Value per dollar. Good entry level options. Some have lifetime warranty (although you may end up with a different rod than what you started with). Also some very good quality rods for much less than USA built price.
Cons - Hard to tell good from bad. Here today and gone tomorrow.
Summary - There is some really good import rods on the market and they catch fish just like a USA built rods. But the import business tends to flood the market and makes it hard to sift through whats Great, Good, OK or just plain cheap rods. Resale value of imports is weak and often times you can't give them away. I also notice that many come with catchy names to help sell them but not a good description of what the action is, so often you find someone purchased a rod only to find out it is a poor fit for their casting ability or the fishing they are doing.

Premium Picks - 

Sage One

Winston BIIIx

G.Loomis NRX Lite Presentation

All of these rods are beautiful and powerful tools for fishing. Each has great power coupled with very intuitive feeling that will help any angler progress down the path of good casting. Excellent resale value and the industry leading warranty service also add to their value. I should note here that rods like these hold their place in history for years to come.

Mid Line Winners - 

G. Loomis Pro4x

Winston Nexus

Echo 3

Sage ACCEL

These models range in price from about $300 to $595. Winston, G. Loomis and Sage are built in USA. All have lifetime warranty. All of these rods offer excellent performance and value. They could go with you on a lifetime of fishing and you would enjoy them for years to come.

Entry Level Values - Imports

Redington Classic Trout

Echo Solo

Redington Crosswater

Classic Trout and Solo offer lifetime warranty. One year on the Crosswater. I am real fond of the Classic Trout. Its a moderate action easy to cast really good trout rod for the price. The Echo Solo is also a good choice and at $119 with lifetime warranty its hard to beat.

Outfit Options

An outfit is an easy way to get Rod, Reel and Line all in one purchase. 

Sage Approach Outfits

Redington Minnow 
Made for Kids-Loved by Adults

Redington Topo Outfit - Complete ready to fish

Echo Solo Outfit - Great Value

Two Hand (Spey) Rod Choices

No reason one has to start out with a single hand fly rod. If you live in steelhead country just go ahead and jump to a two hand. I've seen too many beginners get a single hand 8wt only to come back in a month and say I want a two hand rod. I think two hand casting is harder to learn on your own but with a good instructor like Tom Larimer of Jeff Hickman you will soon be on your way to fishing success! Learning single hand casting first is not a prerequisite. The rods I choose are all pretty moderate action and not only do they fit beginners well they are also a great action for skagit style two hand casting.

Winston Boron III TH

G.Loomis Pro4x

Sage ACCEL Two Hand

Redington Dually

Echo Dec Hogan II

Sum it up

A popular quote around the fly shop is "if you don't want to buy a more expensive rod than don't cast a more expensive rod." Even a person just starting out with some basic casting skills can feel the difference from these different levels of rods. That doesn't mean they catch more fish, they just cast better and make you feel like a hero. I know plenty of anglers that catch plenty of fish on $89 Crosswater rods. This works on the premise that if you want to catch fish you will use what you got! Spending more on a rod doesn't guarantee you more fish. What I can almost certainly guarantee is if you embrace to sport of fly fishing you will own premium USA built fly rods. It's inevitable!

The way I weigh the options is in one of three choices - 

Buy Top Shelf- You work hard for your money and when you have time off you deserve to enjoy it. Great pride comes with the best rods and you find yourself taking great pride in your fishing. Long after your gone when your grand kids find your fly rod hidden among your treasures they'll know how much it meant to you by the way you took care of it.

Buy middle of the road knowing that you'll get a great rod you can own a lifetime or maybe it will be the first and last rod you buy. I know anglers that only fish their home waters. They usually will fish a dry fly if fish are raising and if not they switch to a nymph rig. One rod can do both methods therefore they only need one rod. They only fish a few days a year and enjoy it as much as anyone. Some of today's mid line rods are a recent yesterdays premium rod.

Buy cheap now knowing that you'll upgrade in the future - Its nice to have a cheapy around for yard casting or letting your buddy or kid have a swing...Hard to hand over your several hundred dollar investment and watch a novice thrash it.

Don't fret over making a wrong choice. There are no wrong choices just future choices and Gorge Fly Shop will be here to help you make that choice whether you buy one or a hundred rods. 

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop Internet Sales Manager | Product Specialist

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Great Christmas Gift Idea! - SAGE OUTFITS

Sage Grace Outfit

SAGE GRACE OUTFIT

If you're anything like me, and could complete your Christmas shopping for your wife, daughter or dare I say yourself in one stop, you would take severe advantage of that opportunity! Well, we are here to help you out. No need to schedule an appointment with your psychiatrist just take a deep breath and sit down at your computer and log on to our website: gorgeflyshop.com (Grace Outfit) or give us a call @ 541.386.6977 and order yourself (or that special someone) a sweet little Sage Grace Outfit. DONE!

Not only is this rod all dressed up and pretty in pink, it's also powerful in pink! The Sage Grace Outfit is ready to fish and it comes with a Pink Sage Ballistic Rod/Reel case, a Pink Sage 3200 Series Reel...But Wait, there's more...it also comes with backing and a Pink Rio Gold Fly Line!

Maybe you have a daughter who is interested in fly fishing, maybe you're gone fly fishing so much that you're wife all of a sudden has a desire to fly fish too, or maybe you're just man enough to fish pink! Whatever your scenario may be...don't freak! The Sage Grace Fly Rod is an answer to your conundrum. One stop shopping that will keep on giving...

Another sweet thing about this is that Sage will donate $50 from the sale of each Grace Outfit to Casting for Recovery which is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving women vital tools to overcome the challenges of breast cancer.

What's not to love about this whole scenario?!

Grace Specs:

• Graphite IIIe
• Fast action with a soft feel
• Iridescent Pink blank color
• Pink primary thread wraps with Black and Silver trim wraps
• Chameleon coated zirconium stripper guides
• Hard chrome snake guides and tip-top
• Pink Anodized aluminum up-locking reel seat
• 5 weight: Reverse half-wells cork handle
• 8 weight: Full-wells cork handle with fighting butt
• Pink Sage 3200 series fully machined reel
• Pink Rio Gold line, backing and tapered leader
• Pink ballistic nylon rod tube with reel case
• $50 donation to Casting for Recovery

Available Sizes:

• 586-4
• 890-4

BUY NOW

Sage ONE Outfit

Sage One 590-4 Fly Rod Outfit

The Sage One outfit is a serious fly fisherman's outfit.
You would pay about $1200 to buy everything included in this outfit. There is one difference I want to point out compared to if you ala carte the entire package. When purchasing the rod alone it comes with an aluminum rod tube and not the Ballistic Rod/Reel Case when purchase as an outfit. While aluminum rod cases are a nice feature I find the Ballistic rod/reel case more practical for transport. The reel stays with the rod and the case doesn't roll around in your truck.

Sage ONE Specs - 

• Konnetic Technology® 
• Fast action 
• Black Ice blank color 
• Black thread wraps with Bronze trim wraps 
• Fuji ceramic stripper guides 
• Hard chromed snake guides and tip-top 
• Walnut wood insert and Golden Bronze anodized aluminum up-locking reel seat 
• Super Plus snub-nose, half-wells cork handle 
• Sage 4250 Bronze reel 
• WF5F RIO Perception line with ConnectCore technology 
• 100 yards of 20# backing 
• 9' 4X RIO Powerflex tapered leader 
• Custom ballistic cloth rod & reel case

Available Sizes:

• 590-4

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Sage Approach Fly Rod Outfits

Made in U.S.A.

Calling our Approach series rods "entry level" just doesn't do them justice.Utilizing a higher modulus graphite than any of our previous entry-level rods, the Approach has a medium-fast action that provides excellent line feel and control. Beginning casters can easily grow with this rod without ever feeling they've outgrown it. And like all Sage rods, the Approach is made right here on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA.

Sage Approach Specs -

• Medium-fast action
• Oyster shell shaft color
• Black primary thread wraps with silver trim wraps
• Ceramic stripper guide
• Hard chrome snake guides and tip-top
• Reverse half-wells grip on freshwater 3,4 and 5 weights
• All aluminum reel seat with full-wells grip and cork fighting butt on all 8 and 9 weight saltwater models
• Silver gray rod/reel tube with divided liner
• Outfits come with a Sage 2200 reel, RIO Gold Fly line, and a CORDURA® rod/reel case

Available Sizes:

• 490-4
• 590-4
• 690-4
• 890-4
• 990-4

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Take it easy and take advantage of the one stop shopping @
the Gorge Fly Shop gorgeflyshop.com | 541.386.6977

From all of us here at the Gorge Fly Shop

Happy Holidays and Fish On!

Sage SALT - An Interview with George Cook

Gorge Fly Shop Owner Travis Duddles getting the insight from Sage's Chief rod designer Jerry Siem

I must admit while holding the new Sage SALT at the 2014 IFTD show I couldn't help feeling a little remorse for the inevitable end days of the exceptional Xi3. I became quite the fan over its course of reign. But from my first encounter with the arrow shooting ability of Konnectic Technology in the Sage ONE I knew the days were numbered for the vulnerable Xi3. This Konnectic technology would go hand in hand in salt angling were accuracy is more often than not the deciding factor in a days success.

We answer a lot of questions about saltwater rods and listen to many different opinions about what a saltwater rod should be. The action of a saltwater rod is hard to nail down to the perfect equation because what your rod needs to be is what fits at that moment in time when your target has been acquired.

While I have my opinions of what a saltwater rod should be and I'm also more than impressed with the new Sage SALT I want to turn the attention of this subject to a much more credible source than myself. George Cook (Northwest Sage Representative and Fly Fishing Expert) helps us answer some very important questions about saltwater rods and the new Sage SALT.

George what makes a saltwater fly rod a saltwater ready fly rod?

Action: To be sure, the action truly matters folks. In this to become the needed, trusted tool the rod action has to be such that it will perform at all ranges and do so with both touch, line speed and authority. It is not an easy task to pull all 3 of these aspects together but Rod Design Guru Jerry Siem has indeed done so with the New SAGE SALT Series.

Components: Salt Specific, be it guides, reel seats . Jerry (Siem) was ultra crafty on this series in that he placed the specific Rod Weight Number (Example: 890-4 would show the number 8) on the TOP of The REEL SEAT for quick, easy Rod I.D. no more looking upside down to spot your stick, now just shout out….. Hand me the 8 weight Captain!

Strength: This is where the Jerry Siem magic really shows. The delicate balance of providing the needed-requisite factors of Blank Strength/Fighting Power/Cast-A-Bility, miss just one here and we have problems that we get you somewhere along in the brine. Sage has a long history (1989 On ward) of unique, laser focused Saltwater Specific Rods dating back to the original RPL-X which brought a true saltwater rod to the market and boy was it a welcome hit as I worked in house back then and recall the dealer reaction that fall at the Fly Tackle Dealer Show, amazing times that have lead to this wonderful rod today, the New SAGE SALT.

George do salt rods make good freshwater rods…if so what techniques?

Streamer: No doubt there is crossover here. My first run at it with the New SALT was back to back 4 day excursions to the Bahamas for Bonefish immediately followed by a jaunt into the low country of South Carolina for Largemouth Bass. I had a 790-4 SALT and it was fantastic in both endeavors. Both fisheries required touch, accuracy and at times line speed with an array of fly types and sizes. Sitting here on November 6th I could easily see that same 790-4 at work on the Yellowstone as a Fall “Brown Town” streamer stick. I think by this time next year we will have witnessed the SALT conquer many a fishery be it Big Trout, Alaska Salmon, Argentine Freshwater Dorado and many others .

George is the Sage SALT just a Sage Method dressed differently? 

Now Greg, it’s election time here in November and the nation like these rods has both Blue and Red districts and just like these two rod series they are indeed VERY DIFFERENT.

George many fisherman think that the SALT will just be a Method in disguise…what makes the Salt different? 

Naw buddy, different animals! While both series feature SAGE’s exclusive and wicked Konnetic Technologies The METHOD Series are the supped up, king pin tools of the all out line speed enthusiast. I always tell people that the METHOD is not for everybody but all angler’s at some point, somewhere will wish for one as it will be a difference maker in challenging conditions be it fresh or salt. The SALT is way different in that it is a tool that covers a mammoth gamut of potential scenario’s. A great example is that of Bonefishing where in the course of a single days fishing can face the angler with many different casting challenges. For instance, first thing in the AM you may have a longer (60’+) cast in calm like conditions put you to task. 3 Hours later, brisk wind and a fish sighted close say sub 45’ that suddenly is a mere 25’ away and in your lap. In order to own the day in these situations you will need all of the following performance attributes….Touch and accuracy, both near and far, line speed to cut that pesky wind, true feel for the right number of false cast needed and the moment of truth in that “Presentation” lay down, get it done cast. Furthermore you may well need the ability to pick up and take that second shot at that fish that as luck often has it did something other than ideal . The other aspect that I’d throw out there is this Greg….when you get a given match up of rod and line there is a casting-fishing sense that the Magic Rod Fiery has sprinkled the oh so lovely perfect star dust upon you and when this feeling is upon an angler no matter the situation, the location, the weather that Angler is blessed with a sense of confidence that will have his or her head in the game at the highest level.

George what lines do the SALT rods favor? 

Line weight marked on reel seat

In the Bonefish Theater (7 thru 9 Weight equation) I love RIO’s General Purpose Tropical Salt Water Line. The RIO Bonefish Quickshooter is a straight up get it done performer for many an angler who steps to the plate wading or from a boat. The RIO Redfish line is a great call for that increasingly popular pursuit. The New Award Winning RIO Permit Line will be an important cog in that pursuit and is dead on in that all important 9-10 weight rod range. Tarpon chasers will love the RIO Tarpon Quickshooter as it simply delivers when your guide says CAST. Streamer slingers will enjoy the Outbound Short series for banging the banks and the Puget Sound and Alaskan beach crowds will throw Mega far with RIO’s Outbound Coldwater Floater or Intermediate lines (Outbound Coldwater being the original 37’.5 Outbound line that is an amazing distance tool).

George how will Konnectic technology help our saltwater fishing?

Accuracy: Yes Accuracy, nothing cast straighter than rods engineered with the Konnetic technology format (ONE/METHOD and SALT) . Point and shoot, done deal, get ready for fish porn photo’s.

George - Novice, Intermediate or Pro – where does the Sage SALT fit in? 

Glad you asked…..this might be the most beautiful aspect of all Greg in that the Sage SALT series with it unique Moderated action is simply good to go with all levels of casters. In fact during my fall run of introductions I saw in many instances folks who straight up cast the SALT better than anything else that was placed in their casting paws some of these casters needed help and this action brought it their way in spades. No body really gets enough water time and even less pure practice casting time. I saw novice casters who would go from “Hope” which isn't a strategy by the way to “In The Game” with the 790-4 and 890-4 SALT, combined with RIO’s Bonefish Quickshooter and everyone is a plane ticket away form a holiday to remember!

Thank you George...I agree with you that this rod is very different than any other saltwater rod I've had experience with. It's truly impressive how the Konnectic technology can instantly improve your cast and was also surprised at how well this new rod cast short (something that I have struggled with in the past).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

Sage SALT - 2014 IFTD Show (Casting Pond)

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop Internet Sales Manager | Product Specialist

"Fly Fish the World with Us"