Reel Advice

[MarkF]

Last fall my heart was filled with lust and envy. I wanted what my guide Jon Harp had, a Sage 4500 reel. I had just caught and ALMOST landed a Brown so large it has shoulders, but it broke me off. If I had a better drag than my Teton Tigoa, I would have landed it, I tell my self. I have saved all fall and winter for the Sage. It is nearly in my grasp, it is on my Wish List at Cabelas'. All I have to do is press the 'Order' button.

Last night my stalwart purpose was sidetracked. I read the March 2009 of Field and Stream. They rated the reels they tested:
Best: Bauer Rouge
2nd Best: the Sage 4500
Best Value: Loop Multi

Y'all are the experts, whaadaya say, what should I get?

[Rawthumb]

Since when is Field & Stream the dispositive word in fly tackle?

I'd buy a Ross.

[Host Ray]

You like the Sage, Get the Sage!!

[Buddy Sanders]

Mark,

You want the Sage, buy it. You could go round and round about which is 'best', but in the end, it's just 'choice' there is no 'best'. If you start doubting unimportant decisions like this one, you'll never be happy with ANY purchase..this is supposed to be fun.

It's a Fly Reel. Not like it's all that critical anyway....

And, giving the benefit of the doubt, I don't think you lost that fish because of your drag....it was probably just angler error .

Buddy

[Ronnie Z]

I would have pushed that button a long time ago.

[ducksterman]

"it was probably just angler error "

Buddy, We have to wait till we find the black box.

[pspaint]

The Sage reels are awesome! Very smooth drags on them. Check out MRFC.com. They had last years models on sale. The '09 ones have been completely re-designed.

[lastchance]

Have fun and get what you want. Everyone has a favorite and there are plenty of them. The best one is the one you like--and you like the sage.

[92Esquire]

Get what you want, but I have to say that the Bauer Rogue is the absolute sexiest fly reel I've ever laid eyes on. If I couldn't buy 4 really good reels for the price of one I'd own one for my 5wt now.

[Dave E]

There's a very important lesson here for all of us, fish more and read less. Doing so guarantee's happiness.


Best, Dave