I’m looking for some opinions (pro’s or con’s) on the Sage Z-axis rod mainly the 8’6" 4 weight config ?
Thanks
I cast a 5 wt at the Warren, MI fly show. Very nice at long casts. You could throw all the way across the pond w/o even trying. If I was going to use it for shorter casts on small streams most of the time, I would like to try a DT 6 wt line on it. JC likes them a lot. I tend to agree with the Master.
Bobinmich
We like them. http://flyanglersonline.com/about/sage/
I had the privilege of casting one at the Idaho Fish-In last year (2006). I have never casted any rod as far as I casted that one. I’ve never cased any rod as accurately as I casted that rod. They are a really nice stick. Probably the best fly rod I’ve ever played with. My problem is the price. Supply and demand being what it is, coupled with lots of folks being able to pay that price, I’ll most likely never have one. Nice rods, but I’ll settle for something much more affordable. If you can afford one, they come highly recommended from me. If not, fish with what you can afford and have fun.
Thanks guys . It’s for a future build and a friend is leaning on me to go with it so looking for some more info on the rod . I haven’t been able to find any reviews on it so asked here.
Thanks again
Nice rod… I still prefer the XP…
Do you cast that far when you’re fishing? Honest question.
I’m not looking at it as a distance rod just a rod to fish a certain tailwater . To be perfectly honest I was test casting a Winston at the shop and my fishing bud twisted my arm into casting the Z-axis . I didn’t want to as it felt like a stick in the shop (wiggle test lol) It felt good casting and turned over the leader very nicely with the yarn fly .It just felt “right” if that makes any sense . I asked the guide in the shop whom I greatly respect what he felt, as I still wasn’t sure, and he mentioned that he hasn’t bought a Sage in 12 years but ordered that same config .
I was just looking for some recc’s from people who have fished it some already .
This link may help you too…
http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/FlyRod … esting.asp
It caused quite a discussion on an earlier thread here.
Thank you for the link . Very informative .
Cheers
Bogus test. No bamboo. 
JC,
What is it that you like about them other than their press release? Us rod junkies like to hear about it…
I can’t comment on the 4wt 8’6", but I have the 690-4. What I like about the Z-Axis is the transfer of power from line to leader/tippet. I feel it gives a softer presentation wereas my XP 590-4 has a harder presentation and at times spooks the fish on still waters. I also found the Z-Axis to be good at short distance presentations, but not as good as my SLT. There is more feel in the cast with the Z-Axis as well. Its easy to adjust your casting stroke based solely on how the rod feels.
I’m curious, why do many people, when they’re describing how well a rod casts, first mention how far it casts? :? In my experience, with trout & even steelhead fishing, most fish I catch are within 40 ft. My feeling is that when you have 70’ of line between you and the fish, you’re alot more disconnected…but then again, I also only fish glass (i would fish boo if I could afford it) and can’t really cast mine all that accurately beyond 55’ or so…
now, if you’re talkin’ bonefish, that’s where I see that one of those really fast-action rods such as the sage might do ya well…
I can’t really remember where I was going with this…but, oh well…
~Randy
Clarkman,
Actually, there is an explanation but I’ll probably get told I’m nuts. Graphite rods and especially those designed for power use high modulus graphite composites (translates to stiff) and specially designed tapers so they can transfer a high load to the fly line. This high load is capable of accelerating a lot of fly line to a high velocity. Velocity equals distance. So when you cast the line the rod is rated at, it feels “good” or “loads well” with a lot of line out and distance casts feel more normal. It has the disadvantage of being less sensitive than a milder rod at short distances without much line mass out. This can be overcome with practice but it isn’t easy.
So you ask why anyone would buy one to cast short distances? It’s because they are light. They have a nice whisper feel to them. It is also because if you are fighting large fish, the extra power allows you to control a big fish better.
You can actually make a stiff graphite rod load like it was a glass or bamboo rod. You use a 3 or 4 wt graphite with a 5 or 6 line to act like your 5 wt boo or glass. The combination of the heavy line on the light rod will deflect like and load like the softer glass or boo. And the net package will be lighter and have more reserve fighting power than the glass or boo.
I almost always overline my graphite rods because I do not like the comparative insensitivity with the rated lines at short distances. But it still leaves me with the power to fight steelhead or brown trout at night.
So the only reason to buy a Z is it is a nice strong light rod with a lot of versitility to line up or down in different ways for different jobs. It can simply be made to do all things well.
Now I know I am going to get all kinds or argument on this. People are going to say, “You talk like some kinda geeky engineer.” Well you caught me - I am an engineer of the weirdest kind. I used to design car engines. Silver Mallard is going to be all over me for that.
If you even vaguely believe anything I said, you can read more of my weird opinions on my websiet www.HATofMichigan.org go to e-book / other stuff under Mechanics of Flycasting. And give me a good handicapped location in Michigan while you are at it.
Bob Bolton
well, to each his own…
I actually like the little bit of extra heft that my older glass rods provide…they practically cast themselves. as far as overlining, I completely understand that…in fact I’ve got this really fast 5 wt. that Ii’ll put a 6, sometimes 7 weight line on when I fish the ocean for SRCs…works great for that. as far as backbone is concerned, I wouldn’t dare use my 3wt (regardless of what line I line it up with, I happen to really like it with a 4—it’s a great little rod for backpacking) on the Deschutes out here in Oregon…it’s just not going to have the backbone to handle those fish in those conditions whereas with my good ole wonderod, I can really stick it to those fish and get them in quick while throwing a 5 and enjoying a nice relaxing casting stroke…
I suppose it’s just a matter of preference…
sorry if I’ve gotten a little off topic…I tend to do that at times…
~Randy
Bob,
How is the PC fishing? I am originally from Rochester. I have a friend who lives on the river tell me he saw two idiots with 10 fish each on stringers near down town Rochester. That pisse* me off… I love that river as it is where I learned how to fly fish.
Dogtown,
I don’t fish it much but I plan to try it this year. Since they started taking water off the bottom of Lake Orion and stocking it with Browns, I hear it is improving nicely. Still too warm in the summer for bow’s I think. You can reach me at robertbolton@comcast.net if you want to talk about old times.
Bob Bolton