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The Latest from Sage...
Sage's new lineup is out and already we've had a chance to test out a few of their fly rods and reels. Whether you are looking for a premier dry fly rod, the Sage Circa, or one of the heavy-duty Sage 8000 Pro Series fly reels, there are new models for every style of angling. Browse the new gear here: Sage 2013 on sale now!
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September 28, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): The origins of European nymphing might be up for debate—some say the Czech Republic, others Poland, some believe it has roots in Spain or France—but one thing is certain: regardless of where it began, the future of this innovative technique lies in the revolutionary design of the Sage ESN Fly Rod Series. The Sage ESN, or European Style Nymph, is meticulously engineered for outstanding sensitivity in turbulent runs and currents, where multi-nymph rigs are king and subtle strike detection is the name of the game.
It's all in the tip: If a trout so much as breathes on your fly, the Sage ESN Fly Rod will detect and transmit that vibration with unprecedented clarity. This heightened sensitivity in the rod tip is what sets the Sage ESN Fly Rod apart from the competition, harnessing the power of Sage's Konnetic Technology for unparalleled performance. In traditional indicator nymphing, the connection between angler and fly is interrupted. As such, the angler is inhibited by slack and missed visual cues lead to fewer fish caught. European nymphing supersedes the need for a strike indicator by relying on the subtle sensations of a fish on the take, and the Sage ESN Fly Rod's remarkably responsive tip grants the angler an acute read of the subsurface that other rods just can't provide. Sage ESN Fly Rods immediately relay every minute animation from tip to butt, providing comprehensive control of the action and an uncanny feel of the most subtle n. This emphasis on “feeling the fish” has contributed to the zen-like following of European nymphing fanatics across the globe, all of whom will welcome the specialized of the Sage ESN Series.
The Secret: Like the Sage ONE Series, the ESN delivers exceptional sensitivity and power as a result of Konnetic Technology. Sage worked for three years to pioneer this blend of new materials and manufacturing that makes for the most efficient rod tapers on the market.
The Lineup: The Sage ESN Series truly covers the spectrum of European nymphing. The Sage 2100-4 ESN and 3100-4 are ideal for shallow runs and cunning fish; you might say these are the best ESN fly rods for Spanish and French nymphing. The Sage 4100-4 ESN and 5100-4 ESN excel in deeper pools and pockets with deepier water and choppier slots. These would be the perfect ESN rods for the Czech and Polish nymphers.
Need a Reel? For Sage ESN Fly Rods, we recommend the Sage 4200 Series Fly Reels in platinum to compliment the ESN's hardware. They are great, lightweight reels that will help to optimize the performance of your Sage ESN outfit.
What About Lines? The Airflo Ridge Supple Tactical is a great match for the Sage ESN Fly Rod. It's super sensative to compliment the action of the rod tip, and it's low stretch to keep you in close contact with the fish on the end of your line.
See For Yourself: Stop by our flagship in downtown San Francisco to see a Sage ESN Fly Rod for yourself. The ponds at Leland's Sonoma location are another great place to test out one of the Sage ESN Fly Rods for yourself.
Bottom Line: Sage has been on a roll recently with their specialized rods designed to max out your success on the water. The Sage ESN does exactly that, and anyone who loves European nymphing will love this rod.
September 22, 2011: You wouldn't go off-roading in a Prius or sport water skis on a powder day, so don't settle for a trout rod if it's bass you're after. Sage understands the importance of designing fly rods suited for specific applications, and their new Bass II is the epitome of a specialized fly rod that delivers spectacular results
Purpose-built for the demanding conditions unique to fly fishing for bass and other warmwater species, the Sage Bass II doesn't just continue the legacy of Sage's original Bass series, it rewrites what's possible in the quest for bigger bugs and badder fish. The Sage Bass II is lighter and stronger than its predecessor, delivering a faster action and higher line speed for tighter loops, easier line pickup, and maximum efficiency.
The Secret: Sage has always engineered fly rods for optimal fun and functionality, and their Bass II series is just one more reason to get excited about the weekend.
The Line Up: The Sage Bass II returns with a hard-hitting lineup and some of our favorite rods made even better. The
Bluegill,
Smallmouth, and
Largemouth have all been redesigned from tip to butt for better performance in a highly refined package. The Sage Bass II fly rods feature faster line speed, increased power, and a lighter construction to alleviate the fatigue of battling bruisers. The new addition to the series, the
Bass II Peacock Fly Rod, is like nothing ever built before. At just 7'11'' in length, the Sage Bass II Peacock gives you laser-like casting capabilities and huge leverage without compromising the power you need to land tarpon in the mangroves or peacock bass in the Amazon. That means the Sage Bass II Peacock can work in heavy cover against heavier fish without getting snagged in the thickets.
See For Yourself: Come check out the new Sage Bass II fly rods at Leland's San Francisco, California, location. Or, if you want to see it in action, come to Leland's
Sonoma Ranch and cast a
Sage Bass II Fly Rod on one of our ponds.
Bottom Line: The Sage Bass II is about getting exactly what you want from your day on the water, be it a backyard bass pond or the tight cover of tropical mangroves. Sure, you
can catch a bucketmouth with a 9ft 5wt. But when you are fly fishing for bass or warmwater species, the conditions just aren't the same as a spring creek or cascading tailwater. Treat yourself to the best bass fly rod on the market that can huck hairy bugs as if they were dries and yank fish from the cover without getting caught up in the mess. The Sage Bass II Fly Rod is guaranteed to please the most distinct bass angler's tastes, and it's available now at Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters.
Leland on
Sage ONE Fly RodsAs one of the fly fishing industry’s most prestigious brands, Sage has come to stand for hard-won refinement and a tireless drive to innovate. The latest rod offering from Sage, the ONE Series of fly rods, takes the peerless technological resources at Sage and weds them to the human element found on streams, lakes and flats everywhere.
The name ONE hints at a connection between angler and equipment, Sage says, that is unprecedented in the history of rodmaking.
With a new, more efficient blank construction method, a new set of high-end rod components, a modified handle shape and drop-dead gorgeous aesthetics, the Sage ONE Fly Rod boasts heightened performance as but one of its outstanding attributes. Sage’s ONE Fly Rods feel superb in hand, cast brilliantly, and are, in a very concrete way, a distinct pleasure to carry on the water. If you’re looking for the one coveted fly rod series to beat in today’s fly fishing marketplace, look no further than the Sage ONE Series of high performance fly rods.
Sage on the
Sage ONE Fly Fishing RodsSmooth, precise and with an intentionally forgiving “sweet spot” that complements widely diverse casting styles, Sage’s ONE fly fishing rods help fly fishers make a full range of close-in and long-distance fly casts that hit the mark with equal ease. Due to its extraordinary sensitivity and light weight, the Sage ONE fly fishing rod is at home in the hands of seasoned casters as well as aspiring casters who benefit from the rod’s remarkable feedback-enhancing properties. Being able to feel exactly what the fly line is doing through all stages of a fishing cast gives Sage ONE rod users ultimate control such that they can make the minute corrections needed in-cast to land the fly precisely where they want it.
As part of Sage’s commitment to fly rod development and testing, we pitted the ONE rod against some of the world’s toughest gamefish, under demanding fresh and saltwater conditions far exceeding anything most anglers would ever encounter. In its three-year development, the Sage ONE rod took on such fly fishing heavyweights as tarpon, bonefish and permit on trips to Florida, Belize and the Bahamas, redfish in Louisiana and even halibut in Alaska while pushing the rod to its limits. The Sage ONE’s freshwater fly fishing proving grounds included Atlantic salmon on Canada’s Gaspé peninsula and the Tweed River in Scotland, steelhead in Washington state, giant musky in Wisconsin plus trout in Colorado, Montana and Chile. While fly fishing to monster Chilean Browns under typically adverse conditions—throwing massive dry flies into or crossways against the constant winds—the Sage ONE rod’s extraordinary blend of strength and finesse was on full display. As one of Sage’s fortunate fly fishing researchers stated on the trip, “the ONE rod becomes a true extension of your arm, allowing you to place the fly exactly where you want without having to think about the cast.” High praise from a man who is owner and Chief Guide at one of Chile’s premier fishing lodges.
Sage redefines casting accuracy with the ONE rod
June 22, 2011 (Bainbridge Island, WA) – Sage Manufacturing, fly fishing industry leader, launches the ONE™ fly rod series. The ONE fly rod is the first precision casting instrument to take advantage of Sage’s groundbreaking Konnetic™ technology. Sage's ONE fly rod offers exceptional tracking with virtually no lateral or torsional movement, resulting in astonishing casting accuracy that is unparalleled in the fly fishing marketplace.
The inherent strength of Konnetic technology allows Sage ONE fly rods to be smaller in diameter and 25% lighter than comparable Sage fly rods. These attributes combine to provide augmented aerodynamic efficiency for an exceptional fly fishing experience. The Sage ONE fly rod also includes 70% lighter, low profile ferrules that help direct and carry energy through the fly rod without sacrificing strength, critical action and feel.
“The Sage ONE fly rod becomes a true extension of the angler’s arm,” notes Sage Chief Rod Designer, Jerry Siem. “Sage's ONE fly rod offers a more fluid transmission of energy from the arm to the fly. The eye sees the cast it wants to make and is translated to the hand through the Sage ONE fly rod instantaneously.”
The fast-action Sage ONE fly rod family is intended for all fly fishing conditions thanks to a list of high-end features. A custom cork handle is fashioned in a snub-nose, half-wells grip on the 3-6 weights and a full-wells handle with fighting butt on the saltwater capable 6-10-weights. Each Sage ONE fly rod handle is designed to match the exact taper of the fly rod providing even greater sensitivity and feel. Other details include the Sage designed round eye tip-top which never pinches or binds the fly line, allowing the caster to mend and cast in any direction with full control. On the 3-6 weight Sage ONE fly rods, the elegant walnut insert is perfectly married with the bronze anodized aluminium reel seat. Sage ONE saltwater weights feature all anodized reel seat components. The ONE fly rod comes in a new Black Ice color with a translucent finish that is complemented by black guide wraps and bronze trim wraps. Each Sage ONE fly rod comes with a powder-coated aluminium rod tube with Sage medallion and a hand-made rod sock.
“The Sage ONE fly rod is smooth and precise with an intentionally forgiving ‘sweet spot’ that complements widely diverse casting styles,” says Eric Gewiss, Sage's Marketing Manager. “This helps the angler make a full range of close-in and long distance casts that hit the mark with equal ease. Being able to feel exactly what the fly line is doing through all stages of the cast gives anglers ultimate control of the Sage ONE so they can make the micro-adjustments needed to place the fly precisely where it’s wanted.”
Already award winning, the Sage ONE fly rod has been recognized as the “Best New fly rod” at EFFTEX 2011. The ONE fly rod will be available at Sage authorized retail locations in August / September 2011 with a selection of 22 single hand models. Sage ONE fly rods range from 3-10-weights and will be priced from $715 to $740.
About Konnetic™ Technology:Sage's Konnetic technology is here, premiering in the Sage ONE fly rod. Konnetic Technology is the most recent and significant evolution in fly rod innovation and uses new materials combined with pioneering manufacturing methods and processes. This technology incorporates an optimized ratio of Sage’s proprietary resin to exclusive high modulus aerospace-grade carbon fiber.
The latest construction methods include Sage’s Advanced Modulus Positioning System (AMPS); a process that precisely aligns and positions carbon fiber materials to exacting tolerances for the greatest blank strength delivering extremely efficient energy transfer throughout the shaft of the fly rod. Using Sage’s High Compression Molding process, carbon fibers are compacted for optimum density and precise alignment while simultaneously fusing the 50% lighter all-carbon fiber inner core.
Sage One Fly RodsModels: Sage ONE 8ft 6in 4wt Fly Fishing Rod, 486-4Sage ONE 9ft 4wt Fly Fishing Rod, 490-4Sage ONE 8ft 6in 5wt Fly Fishing Rod, 586-4Sage ONE 9ft 5wt Fly Fishing Rod, 590-4Sage ONE 9ft 6in 5wt Fly Fishing Rod, 596-4Sage ONE 9ft 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 690-4Sage ONE 9ft 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 691-4Sage ONE 9ft 6in 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 696-4Sage ONE 9ft 6in 6wt Fly Fishing Rod, 697-4Sage ONE 9ft 6in 7wt Fly Fishing Rod, 796-4Sage ONE 10ft 7wt Fly Fishing Rod, 7100-4Sage ONE 9ft 8wt Fly Fishing Rod, 890-4Sage ONE 10ft 8wt Fly Fishing Rod, 8100-4Sage ONE 9ft 9wt Fly Fishing Rod, 990-4Sage ONE 9ft 10wt Fly Fishing Rod, 1090-4
Sage TCX Switch Rods…the ultimate “do it all” performance fly rod is now available.April 4, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): What do you get when you combine the world’s best casting fly rod technology with the fastest growing style of
fly rod? You get a
Sage TCX Switch fly rod: amazing performance and a pocket full of fishing options.
The Right Stuff: Sage fly rods are known around the world as the benchmark of quality and performance. Within their stable of fly rods lives the fabled
Sage TCX Series. This series was built to provide the ultimate in casting performance and efficiency. Leveraging Sage’s Generation 5 technology, the craftsmen at Sage were able to make a
fly rod that was not only lighter and more resilient than competing rods, but also brings a smile to any skilled caster’s face. Now this same technology is available from Sage in four very useful switch models.
Defining a Switch Rod: As the name suggests, a switch rod is really two rods in one. It can be cast overhead, like a single hand fly rod for increased distance. An angler can also switch technique and use it as a compact
Spey rod, employing two hand casts when back-cast room is limited. Once the fly is on the water, the rod’s increased length allows for amazing line control, resulting in better drifts and more fish.
The Line Up: Originally,
Switch fly rod models catered primarily to steelhead anglers. However, Sage saw the opportunity to offer Switch rod functionality to trout anglers as well. Offering four 11’9” rod models ranging from a lively five weight to a powerful eight weight,
Sage’s TCX Switch series has any angler covered from trout to steelhead and even striped bass
The Build: Like their popular single hand cousins, the
Sage TCX Switch rods deliver the goods. Only top-grade cork is used for grip material, ensuring years of velvety smooth contact with your new rod. Low-profile, saltwater-safe, double-uplocking anodized reel seats ensure a solid reel to rod bond. G5, high-modulus graphite makes for a lightweight and efficient rod. All stripping guides and snakes are hard-chromed and ready for years of use. Finally
Sage’s TCX Switch fly rods are finished with the iconic “Kryptonite” green color for some subtle “bling.” Store your new TCX in a matching powder-coated green aluminum rod tube for safe keeping until your next fishing adventure.
Need a Reel? At Leland we highly recommend the
Sage 6000 Series Fly Reels. These fully-machined, anodized, large-arbor fly reels employ a fully-sealed drag system. These attributes combined offer up one of the best fly reels on the market. Note: When purchasing a fly reel for a Switch fly rod, be sure to choose a fly reel with a line rating at least one to two sizes above your Switch rod’s line rating. See chart below.
What about lines? Two hand and Switch rods are growing in popularity. Fly line options for Switch rods are more plentiful than ever and potentially confusing. At Leland, we’ve made it easy. Just review the line chart below to correctly dial in your new
TCX Switch fly rod for optimal casting and fishing performance.
Leland Favorite: We’ve cast all the models in
Sage’s TCX series. Our favorite is the
Sage TCX 7119-4. This seven weight excels when fishing for steelhead and large trout. Heavy flies and sink tips are no problem. Still, this model is light enough to enjoy doing battle with smaller steelhead and medium-sized trout.
Bottom Line: Amazing fly rod performance, lots of casting and rigging options and on-stream fishing function.
Other Resources:
Sage TCX Switch Rod Video ReviewSage TCX Switch Rod ReviewSage TCX Switch RodsSage TCX Spey RodsSage TCX Fly RodsSage Fly Rods