I received an e-mail today from a fly shop that Sage is discontinuing the Z-Axis. A great fly rod. I have a 4 wt and just picked up a 5 wt. I imagine that it was bound to happen, especially with the BIIIX out now from Winston. Do we expect an $800 Sage now? Glad my quiver is jammed!
The $800 Sage is the TCX. I’m curious to see what the replacement for the Z-Axis is.
Perhaps there WILL be a day for me to buy an $800 fishin pole BUT I suspect that day will conicide with the availability of snowballs in places where it was impossible to procure them before ( Alabama, Florida etc. come to mind) 
Mark
From the Winston bb
To me, this is all getting ridiculous. Are we paying for technology that has no realistic benefits? After I lost a premium fly rod, I bought a replacement moderately-priced replacement. I was amazed at how well the replacement cast. If I were blindfolded, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the rods, though one cost twice as much as the other.
I will agree: premium rods look much better.
Randy
I’d think an accomplished caster would definitely be able to realize the difference in a high-end rod and, for them, the expenditure may be worth it (or if you have $800 burning a hole in your pocket). I’m a hack (although blindfolded I could definitely tell you which end of the rod I should be holding) and if I had $800 to spend on a new rod (I don’t), I’d be better off putting it in some casting lessons so that I could better use the rods I have.
Regards,
Scott
Doesn’t it seem that the silly season gets earlier and earlier each year?
While I’d be glad to have the information from Sage as early as possible, so I could tailor my inventory levels in advance of a change. If I was still selling Sage or a dealer in the northern hemisphere, I might be a little hacked off about word getting out.
For many dealers, June is the high water mark for new rod sales. Whether that be this years latest creation or a model that’s getting a little long in the tooth. I’d hate to be seeing my preseason orders of these rods coming in the door, just as the phone starts ringing with questions about what kind of discounts I’ll be offering on them.
The power of the internet, combined with the wisdom of some retailers.
See: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/showthread.php?39931-Is-ebay-and-indicator-of-what-rods-will-be-discontinued&p=400148#post400148
Look at this way, if you loved the series. Now would be a great time to buy another and if you always wanted one, but couldn’t quite afford one. Now may be your opportunity.
Best, Dave
Fer cryin’ out loud…Ya gonna cast to a fish 30’ away and need and $800 rod to do it?
Sums up my feelings pretty well. I can’t see any advantage to paying that much for a fishing stick.
I figured Sage was up to something when they introduced the VXP, at a price that was around $135 less than the Z-Axis. My first thought on that was that they were going to stop production of the Z-Axis.
It is too bad in a way as the Z-Axis is a good fly rod, and it sold for $630. I have always preferred the XP to the Z-Axis but the Z-Axis is a good rod and I own a couple of them.
I am sure that what they come up with will be a good replacement. A fast rod with some backbone but not so fast that it can’t be cast decently by almost anyone using it.
For now I have a nice selection of Sage rods, I don’t think I will need any more, but then…
Larry —sagefisher—
I mirror that sentiment exactly. 
If I had to get rid of all my Sage rods except one I keep the XP. Love that rod!
Rats! I figured they’d discontinue them before I could afford one. I was fortunate enough to cast one at the Idaho Fish-In several years ago. My performance skyrocketed. Unfortunately, my wealth did not. I’m starting to think fiberglass, and old school.
Remember these will be discounted 25% or more to start. Never fished demos will be on ebay for 40%. Sage makes great stuff. Being a XP fan, I was never enamored with the softer Z-Axis tip. I’m more interested in trying various VXP models.
I’m sorry to see the Z-Axis go as the two I have (4 and 5 wt.) are the finest rods I’ve ever cast in the frequently very strong winds that blow in the Rockies of S. CO.
I just bought one at Bob Marriotts, online, for half off. It’s a floor model. They say that they come with “limited warranty”, but no tube.
Ted
You can all relax, the new One will only set you back $715 - $740.
http://www.pitchengine.com/pitch/155487/
There are several obvious jokes to be made here, but I digress.
Dave
Went to Fly South fly shop in Nashville today and cast a 7wt sage z axis. First of all I am still dreaming of how smooth it was and they are (40%) off the $700 price tag right now. They said they are replacing it with something called ‘The One.’
Eggzackly!! All that common sense you are exuding is making me dizzy - more than the usual dizziness! LOL!
Best regards, Dave S.
I’d love to see Sage bring back those beautiful brown RPL’s (not the Xi or +'s) and LL’s one more time!
only one reason I will eventually buy a Sage. My daughter, Sage. Hopefully, I can afford a used one when she is old enough to throw one.