Questions about 7wt rods

[Sasha]

Hi guys I had some quick questions. I am looking at getting a 10' 7wt rod for some fishing I am intending to do this year. At first I was all set on getting a Sage 10' 7wt XP. I found a new one for sale and was all set to grab it until......I stopped by my local Orvis shop on the way home from work yesterday to pick up a couple of things for my trip tomorrow. I got BSn' with the guy and he said that I should also check out the 10' 7wt Hydros. He also mentioned that there is an upcoming sale that if you buy a Hydros or a Helios you get a free battenkill large arbor reel of your choice.

Now this has thrown a curve ball in my decision making process. I heard the Hydros is basically the same rod as the Helios with cheaper equipment (i.e. reel seal, guides). I wanted to get a Helios, however I really don't want to drop 800 on a rod that I am not going to fish all of the time. For those of you that know me most of my fly fishing is done on my Sage 0wt rods. I only want the 7 for messing around with chrome and for when I fish still waters (such as Henry?s Lake etc.). This rod will most likely only be fished 10 or so times a year.

I really don't know much about the Hydros (other than what I have read on the Orvis site) and was wondering if anybody has experience with this rod. I also was curious how this rod compares with the Helios and the Sage XP. My last question is, if you were me which one would you get and why would you choose it over the other models?


Thank you

[Rocketfish]

I have a few expensive Loomis, Winstons that I purchased during the '90s.
The point is that I never bought more so expensive rods. Cabelas has excellent weapons as my last LST 3wt or my Stowaway 7 pieces 7wt, which are great just for 1 third of the fancy rods cost.
Regards,
R

[sagefisher]

Sasha,

If you are inclined to buy a Sage XP, do it. That is one of the finest fast rods made, and not just in my humble opinion. I was really sorry to see Sage do away with the XP line, I have a few of them myself, so if you want a great rod buy the Sage.

You obviously know there are less expensive rods out there that would work, but if you are inclined to buy a Sage, you can't go wrong.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[John Rhoades]

No help from me on this one either. My favorite steelhead rod is my Sage 10' 7wt.

[clarkman23]

personally, if I were looking for a 10' 7wt (I'm not, probably never will given my propensity towards glass rods), I'd probably end up with the XP. They really are sweet casting rods.

[LadyFisher]

Even 'tho Sage is no longer a Sponsor, I still believe their rods are terrific. Another vote for the Sage.

[Cold]

I have a 10' 7wt that I too only use for maybe 5% of my fishing, but its an Echo Ion...which doesn't really help much.