I made my first trip to Cabelas in Sydney Nebraska two weeks ago .I looked at the LE,swung it around alittle and ended up buying a Temple Fork Pro Series 9’ 4 wt.for $135.00.I had a chance to try it out last weekend and I think I’m going to really like this rod.Sorry I can’t tell you anything about the LE but you might consider this rod.It’s considered a medium fast but I think it leans alittle on the faster side.
John
I purchased a 590-4 LE last fall at closeout price ($119) without having ever cast one. I wanted a good quality backup 5wt. I had talked with others who cast this rod - so I had an idea on what I would be getting. I already have several other Sage rods in my arsenal. All of the following comments are based on 590-4 model, though I had test cast the 2 piece version when they were introduced and my impressions of that rod were similar.
I felt the rod was to the slower side of medium-fast. To me, that means slower than the older DS and DS-2 series. In some respects similar to the LL series but different in others. I find it to be a very comfortable and pleasant casting rod for me at typical trout and panfish fishing distances. As the length of the cast is extended, I find that I need to extend my casting stroke and slow things down a bit whereas I use a quicker and more compact stroke with faster rods such as my Sage FLi 590-4. In some respects it is similar to my old Fisher Streamfisher, though faster than that rod. My experience is consistant with what other people told me. Its not a rod I would choose for a long day of long distance casting. If I would primarily spend a day fishing at distances of 50 ft or less, with perhaps an occasional need to really reach out there, the LE would be a rod I would be happy fishing all day. If I needed to do a lot of distance casting, or work consistently in stiff breezes I would grab something faster. At its discounted price, I don’t feel that there is anything better - just different.
I am happy with my purchase and my LE and it will see plenty of use in my hands and as a loaner even though I prefer faster rods. There will be days when the LE just suits my need or mood better than one of my other rods.
Thanks for the input, think I will go ahead & get me one. John where are you located at? I live in Nebraska about 3 hours east from Sidney, we have a Cabelas in Kearney although much smaller.
Jeff
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