I just heard about several new Sage fly rods for 2008. I’m still researching them, but here’s what I’ve found so far:
We all know that fly fishing is a passion, one of those passions that can become almost a way of life. Each fisherman has his techniques, his favorite fishing spots, his fishing stories, and, most of all, his fishing gear, gear that necessarily includes fly rods, reels, lines, flies, waders, and more….it’s not quite as easy as you’d think, is it?
Among all the things mentioned above, there is one that any fisherman will tell you is the most important one: his fly rod collection (every self-respecting angler has his own preferences, and he would probably never allow anyone to use his fly fishing rods unless totally necessary).
As with any passion, fly fishing has its own “disputes”. One of them is about the best fly rods one can find, and particularly about choosing those fly rods that would particularly suit your needs. Of course, you might say that all fly fishing rods are “kinda the same”. But, nothing could be farther away from the truth.
In the beginning, there were only split cane and bamboo fly rods, but nowadays the options are unlimited. Today, most of the fly fishing rods you’ll find in the stores are made of carbon fiber with cork grip. Still, it seems that connoisseurs have learned to appreciate the old style: bamboo fly rods are very sought after, due to their strength and grace, but also because they are very stylish and surprisingly durable. Of course, class means money. Such rods could cost you well over $2,000, so don’t be surprised if bamboo fly rods are the object of many experienced fishermen’s desires.
So, what are we supposed to look for when searching for good fly rods? Basically speaking, there are four main features you should consider. The first one is the purpose of their use, or in other words, the fishing conditions. Generally, fly rods should be chosen according to the size of the water you’re mostly going to be fishing in. It also depends on the types of fish you are fishing for.
The numbers of the fly fishing rods is also very important: for example, a 3 weight rod means a very light one, and is generally used in small water for small fish. On the contrary, a 12 weight rod is used for fishing conditions that require long distance casting, big flies-simply put, big fish, deep water and long distance. The most popular fly rods remain the 5-6 weights, because they work well in most situations.
The second thing you need to ask about when choosing a fly fishing rod is its action. If a fast rod is great for longer casting distances, a slow one would still be better for you if you’re a beginner. One feature that is ignored most of the times (though very important) is the grip of the fly fishing rods. Still, grip is important, as the comfort of your hand position depends on it. If you’re a strong person, with large hands, then full wells grips should be your first choice; and half wells grips are mostly for more delicate hands.
Last, but not least, the manufacturer is also important. Here, it’s mostly a matter of preference and habits, as well as cost-related matters. Many people look for discount fly rods and even used fly rods, as they think that it’s all in the power of the fisherman. This often isn’t true as a quality fly rod can really help your cast.
As you may know from my previous posts, I’m partial to Sage fly rods, especially the Z-Axis I was given, but hopefully this post will help you make your own decisions.
4 years ago • NotesAfter using my new Sage fly rod for a few weeks, I think these are its top 5 best attributes. Leave a comment if you think otherwise.
Up until recently, I wouldn’t have known a Sage fly rod from a made-in-China special. Luckily I’ve learned a lot about fly fishing, and especially fly rods over the last few months. I plan to share what I’ve learned in this blog.
First, the short story about how I ended up with a Sage fly rod. Starting several years back I took a fly fishing class at the local university. The class had everything to do with casting, but little to do with everything else involved in fly fishing. For the class I had borrowed a friend’s fly rod. Although I eventually got the hang of a mediocre fly cast, I never felt very comfortable with it. Possibly because of this, I never took to the sport and bought my own gear.
Fast forward now to six months ago. I had been wanting to give fly fishing another try, but wasn’t sure what kind of fly rod to buy. To be honest, the choices were somewhat overwhelming.
Luckily, I didn’t have to decide. I got it as a gift from my family for my birthday! It was a complete surprise, and a very nice gift too. Now, I’m the sort of person who’ll spend days researching something before I’m willing to buy it. I also happen to be the type of person who researches gifts I receive to make sure they’re the best drill, iPod, or fly rod for me. It’s not often that you get exactly what you want, but I did this time.
After using my new fly rod for a few days (and remembering my old fly casting techniques), I discovered my problem with casting from years ago - the rod! The difference between my new Sage Z-Axis fly rod (the link goes to a reputable store if you want to check out this rod for yourself) and the old clunker I used before is incredible. Not only does it feel much lighter, it also feels much stronger.
I plan to add more posts soon about choosing one of the Sage fly rods.
4 years ago • Notes