I had a birthday few days back and received some gift certificates in a local fishing store.
I’m interesting in buying some Sage rod and reel and would love to hear your opinions.
I fish 95% for trout and I’m looking for a #5 rod and reel.
I have been fly fishing for 10 years and I cast the line ok.
They are selling: Sage Vantage
Sage Flight
Sage VT2
If I buy one of the above I can also buy some of the reels below: Sage 3850CF
Sage 4560CF
Sage 4550
I could also skip the reel and just buy one of the rods below: Sage ZXL
Sage 99
Sage Z-axis
I’ts a luxury “problem” I know
I’ve always wanted to have a nice reel and I think the last three rods are way to expensive so I’m more into buying both rod and reel, but…
Can you help me out here, what are the differences between the reels and which rod to buy for a nymph fisherman? Please comment on the reels and rods, do you owe any of them?
I think I’m buing the gear next friday, but I’m taking it slow, I want to “do the right thing”.
I understand why you would buy a Sage rod but why a Sage reel? Why not a reel by Waterworks / Lamson or Ross. My recommendation is that you buy a reel from a reel company and a rod from a rod company. Sage has gone through a few reel companies. For example they bought Lamson and sold the reels with a “lifetime” warranty, but when the reels went south, they had gotten rid of the original Lamson company to Waterworks. Before that they sold Hardy reels under their own name. Try to get support for the earlier Sage reels and you are SOOL. But you can get support for the Sage RP fly rod you bought when they were marketing those defunct reels.
I know that when things get difficult, companies protect their core resources and products. They will not support the products that are not essential to their survival. I have faith that a Ross reel I buy today will be supported with parts and service by Ross 20 years from now. I have faith that a Sage rod I buy today will be supported by Sage 20 years from now. I can’t say that about Sage reels or Ross fly rods.
Damn, that is a tough problem. lol. I have a 4wt. VT-2 and its an excellent rod. They’re all different actions, depending on length and line weight. The 9’ 4wt., is relatively fast compared to the 486 model. I haven’t tried the other two but they’re predecessor’s were very nice, so I imagine these are no different. The Sage reels are also very nice. Very smooth drags… even on the cheaper reels. I have an 1830 that is smoother than most of my higher end reels. I’d try them out… mix and match rods and reels and see what best fits you.
The ZXL and Z-Axis are both excellent rods as well. The Z-Axis is a faster rod, compared to the ZXL, which is similar to the SLT (the one it replaced). Good luck! Let us know what you decide.
I’m a big Sage rods fan, but all my reels are Lamson’s. Never been much of a fan of Sage’s reels. I’d also consider looking otherwise for a reel.
Just my $0.02
I have Sage Flight, Z-Axis and ZXL, but of those three I tend to use the Z-Axis more often given my natural casting stroke. So you should go with a rod that best fits your casting stroke. The one drawback for me on the Flight rod is it lack of a softer tip section found on the Z-Axis and ZXL making it more prone to breaking smaller tippet on hookup.
I prefer click and pawl reels for 5 wts and less. My favorite click and pawl reels are the Abel Creek and Trout Reel. They are extremely well built and require very little maintence. You should give these a look.
First, Happy Birthday! Personally, if you are thinking of a 5 weight, I’d spend all the money on the rod and pick up an inexpensive reel somewhere…with of course a good fly line. You don’t really need that much of a reel for what you typically catch with a 5 weight. My choice then would be the Z-Axis, because it is a much more versatile rod than the ZXL. I can’t comment on the Sage 99, because I haven’t cast it yet, but it is billed as a nymphing rod so again, not as versatile, in my mind.
If you must have a nice reel, and I can understand that “need,” then the VT2 is a fine rod, although I hate the color. The Flight and the Vantage are nice as well, but it makes no sense to me to spend more on the reel than the rod. Sage reels have a good reputation, but I do not buy them myself, so I can’t comment on the models you are looking at.
Good point on the Sage reels.
No it’s not about the name, I have never been a guy who goes after the expensive brands.
They also have Scierra reels:
Scierra D-Lite
Scierra TX2
Scierra XDP
They all seem good reels and are cheaper, don’t know if you know them, they are from Sweeden I think. They are a possibility. But I either buy a “good” reel or skip it, I have a Danielsson for my #8 and I love it, they don’t sell it at the moment because it’s to expensive (see below about the Icelandic currency).
They sold Lamson, but don’t have it in stock now.
They also have rods from:
Zpey (Swicth)
Scierra
Hardy
The thing is I have this gift certificates in that store, they don’t sell Abel.
The Icelandic krona has fallen 50% because of the economic situation here in Iceland so everything has doubled in price, thats why stores only have minimal inventory and the variety is rather small.
So after a trip to the store, Sage seemed the best choice, I could go for the Zpey, but it’s a new brand and not long experience.
Confusing?
It won’t be after next episode of Soap
Thorarinn
ps.
don’t get me wrong, you can’t make the decission for me, but I read everything you write and it helps me gather my thoughts.
i love my ZXL very much. the slower action suits me to a T. after 20 minutes or so of casting, i just wish the fly to be where i want it, and there it goes. it’s all rather Zen-like.
i do not love the Sage reel i got to “go with” it. Ross reels are my favorite because i can rinse out sand/mud/weeds using one hand. (yep, i drop the whole shebang into the water all too often.) the Sage is fiddley, if rather sexy.
I’ve had a 9’ 5wt Z-Axis for the past two years, along with a 5wt FLi. The Z-Axis is a spectacular all-around rod. I use it for everything from double-nymph, indicator and split shot rigs through dries, up to occasionally throwing size 2 Clousers for bass. I’d agree on the reels though - I’d much rather spend the money on the rod and maybe look at a different reel. I really like my Orvis BBS III reel, for what it’s worth.
When I am asked which Rod I make the suggestion to take your own reel with your own line of the weight you are looking for and spend some time casting the rod. Take a fly that you would typically use cut the bend off the hook and “fish the rod” short cast long cast into the wind cross wind around rocks, find the rod then decide on how much reel you need.
I can’t speak for the VT2 5wt, but I love mine in a 6wt. It is my “go to” steelhead rod.
As far as the Z-axis goes, someday I’m gonna MUG ol’ buddy Jack Hise for his! It’s a great rod. Bottom line is that you really can’t go wrong with a Sage…They make fantastic stuff.
Have fun & let us know what you end up with.
Mike
I fish 95% for trout and I’m looking for a #5 rod and reel.
I have been fly fishing for 10 years and I cast the line ok.
I highly recommend you go to your fly shop and test cast these rods. I have read online reviews of the Z axis being too fast, and have read on this site of uplining the Z axis. I feel I cast “ok”(on a good day), and I just got a 4wt Launch (now replaced by the Vantage)on clearance that I really like. You may love the fast rods, but what a tragedy to buy a upscale rod you hate. Best of luck and I need your problems
A couple of months ago, I fished an 8’6" 5wt Flight for trout and was very impressed. I can’t say how it compares to the higher-end Sages, but I thought it was a sweet rod. Go cast one!
If you’re set on Sage, and if you can find one, check out the LL…
out of all of the Sage rods, if I was in the market for one, it’d be an LL, just silky smooth. I don’t care for fast action rods, so that rules out the vast majority of their lineup. I did like a friends Fli 12wt though (not one of the faster rods, but still much faster than I prefer).
