Right Line for a Sage 690-4 TCR?

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

I just got a good deal on a Sage TCR and think I’m going to like it. My question, though, is what line to use with it. I’ve tried it with a Sage Performance Taper WF6F and a Cortland 444 WF7F, but neither feels quite right. Any suggestions, especially from J Castwell or Ladyfisher, since you’ve given the rod such high praise?

Thanks.

2

I think Sage used to make a TCR taper, but I haven’t seen it in recent catalogs or on their website. They now sell a Performance Taper II, which is supposed to be for all their fast action rods. It works fine on my XPs, but doesn’t quite perform like I’d hoped on the TCR.

3

yea I posted eariler saying tcr taper might work but then I looked and they discontiued it maby you can look on ebay or something to see if you can find the line?

4

I was just looking around and I found one shop online that still has the line
http://www.anglers-pro.com/cgi-bin/cat/APS-2001064.html

check it out

5

I saw it closeout-priced somewhere else, but they had only the 5wt and 8wt lines. Thanks for checking.

6

The line selection all depends upon how efficiently you cast.

I have the Sage 690-3 SP+ which is very similar to your TCR. I like the standard WF6 lines however, you could try the Steelhead/Salmon type very long belly lines or even try a WF7 line on the TCR rod. Many long distance casters really line the S.A. XXD or Expert Distance lines which have extra long bodies with you rod.

Rather than invest in a 590-4 TCR, I experimented and cast a 5wt line on my 691-4 XP and it worked very nicely, not exactly a TCR action but very close.

I like your rod very much but do not have the funds presently to invest in the TCR series.

Regards,
FK

7

I spoke with a technical advisor at Sage today and she said that the preferred line for that rod was a Rio Grand WF6F. In her opinion, the older (and now discontinued) Sage TCR Performance Taper and the XXD were merely longer lines (110 ft) with longer bellies designed for distance casters, not trout fishers. She felt the Rio Grand would be more likely to take full advantage of the rod’s fishing capabilities at all distances, so that’s what I ordered.

8

I have the XXD on mine but honestly I prefer it with an Airflo Polyfuse.It feels better to me and I have more control of the line.

9

I can now report that the Sage tech rep’s suggestion of the Rio Grand WF6F for this rod was a good one. I haven’t fished it yet, but that line lawn casts beautifully on the rod, providing enough weight to load it in close and the right taper to cast longer distances with ease. With that combo, I find I’m casting more accurately and with tighter loops than with any of my other rods.

Can’t wait to fish it!

10

I like the rod with the Scientific Anglers “Expert Distance” WF6F

11

I believe Rio is own by the same parent company that owns Sage. The Joshua Green Corporation. It is not surprising that Rio would have a line for the TCR as well as lines that optimize the performance of the other Sage rod series. That is not to say other mfg don’t make lines that will perform well with Sage rods.

12

The Sage Tech Rep said the new series of Sage lines is now manufactured by Rio, though she preferred the Rio Grand to the Sage Performance II line for this rod.