I am considering purcasing one but do not have the luxury of casting one before deciding. I am looking at this one in a 590-4.
Anyone have any casting experiance with these rods and comments on their performance? Thank You. -Yaf
bump
i’ve tried both the #8 and #3 and like them both. fast-ish action and the little rod didn’t bend like a wet noodle like a lot of other #3 rods. i imagine the mid-weights perform well also.
take him fishing
There have been other threads on the new Sage rods. There haven’t really been any detailed reviews but this is what I have found with these rods. I have not really casted them but have ‘played’ with them before. The FLi is definately not the fast action Sage claims. It is faster than the DS2 which it replaced but not as fast as the XP (IMO). The action is more of a medium to medium fast action or somewhere inbetween. There is no doubt in my mind this is a quality rod but there is not really anything special by the way this rod feels. The FLi is just a run-of-the-mill mid price rod. If you like Sage rods go for it…But if you are willing to try different brands check out the Scott A2. It is faster (IMO) than the FLi and is only $280 for a 905-4 which is about the same as the FLi model. There you have it…
“GET THE DRIFT?”
[This message has been edited by Mike Murgida (edited 16 March 2005).]
This is my earlier review. I have had one since November- picked it up as a raffle prize.
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/Forum1/HTML/012649.html:a19ae]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/Forum1/HTML/012649.html[/url:a19ae]
I prefer the Fli to all other Sage 5wts, except the TCR.
Thks for the replies.
Can anyone compare this rod to the St. Croix, Ultra Legend.(the st croix is my second choice) Is the fli as fast? -Yaf
I have to agree with the Scott A2 and St Croix recommendations. To me the scott and st croix sure have nicer looking finishes and components and cast better than the FLI. Dont get me wrong I really like sage rods, and I really like the DS2, but the FLI and the Launch look like the geo metro or pontiac aztec of fly rods with the new age paint job.
Its a shame that everyone thinks the DS2 is such a week rod. Oh, well I guess I like the old medium action.
those that responded with the A2 recommendations: have you had a chance to compare the A2 to the V2? i know the V2 is a slower rod, but i love how it doesn’t bounce all over the place like some other rods i’ve tried. it’s a good overall rod for me, but i’m looking at something faster in the 6 weight for larger flys, poppers, sinking line, and such. since i like my V2, i thought the A2 might be the next natural choice. thoughts?
(sorry to dogress)
take him fishing
I have the A2 in the 6wt configuration, and I use it for smallmouth bass fishing. Its perfect for thowing poppers and weighted crawdad patterns. I also fish a sink tip line on this rod and it performs very well. The A2 is faster than the V2.
I would deffinitly give the A2 a good look, and while you are at it look at the St Croix legend ultra, another fine rod in my opinion. Both companies make there rods in America, and every dealing that I have had with either company has been very positive.
I ordered the FLI rod today. A fast action rod at an affordable price was what I wanted. The cosmetics of a rod are never a rell factor for me. Performance is more important for me and with the sage name…
So, Thanks for the replies.
All FLI owners can now tell me that I have done the right thing!! 
-Yaf
Tell us what YOU think Yaffle. I am curious as I have considered this rod as well…
yaf. I’d like to know what you think about this rod as well…
Tim
Spelling and Grammar not subject to judgement… 
No problem letting you guys know what I think but I won’t know until early May. The shop I ordered from in town here won’t get his Sage order until then.
This is the joys of living in the North, plus trout season doesn’t open here until the last Saturday in April.
I have purchased most of my rods this way and have had no problems even though I have not practice cast them.
I like to think that I can adapt my casting to suit the rod. I’ve had to get use to a couple of my current rods that I really didn’t care for at first but after a few times out… Now I am quit pleased with them.
Until I can get it into my hands… -Yaf