I've bought most of my rods from the classified on the previous name-that-shall-not-be-spoken WA flyfishing website. check around for used . Haven't seen a Sage R8 yet, but last summer I was looking for a 6 wt. Every angler should put a 9 3-weight Sage in their quiver because no other rod maker of my acquaintance builds a model even remotely similar. The rod is matte and looks sleek. The Rio Gold helped give this long 3-weight a bit of pep. This rod will handle a variety of lines, but I would put a longer bellied line like the Gold or Infinity on here, or the various long bellied nymphing lines. First Cast- Sage R8 Core and Scott Centric We had the pleasure of casting two newly released six-weight fly rods from two premiere fly rod companies, the Sage R8 Core 690-4FB and the Scott Centric C906/4FB. Breaking from the one-piece saltwater fly rod trend, this two-piece is what G. Loomis calls its tournament configuration. A more compact length and lighter weight combined is great for casting small flies in a small stream surrounded by brush or trees that can snag your fly on a backcast. After casting the R8 Core 896-4 I was left thinking that Sage bumped up the power and made the rod feel as strong as it casts. A fishing field test is coming. We break it all down in the fourth installment of how to choose a fly rod. The mid-level or entry-level rods use technology that was paid for a long time ago, so it's simply the cost of materials, labor, etc and a reasonable profit margin. But the third component youll hear experts talk about is the rods action. Almost Orvis bad. Our assumption is the casting Distance Capabilities have to do with a combination of the casting ability of the user and the recovery speed. Author. The #8 and #9 in this series are designed to carry a heavier load more slowly. Your email address will not be published. This rod is no exception. Cast with a Rio Gold, it charges to life at around 30 feet. Sage R8 Core First Impressions | The North American Fly Fishing Forum The Airflo Superflo Universal Taper brings the best out of its presentation qualities as well. The consistent review from the pros is that it casts like a much higher-priced rod. Our testers found the Scott Centric to have a faster recovery speed than the Sage R8 Core. It needs the head length and weight of an SA Infinity Taper, Titan Long, Rio Grand or comparable fly line, but those are the lines we might expect to fish on rivers like the Gunnison and Deschutes where the 9 6-weight earns its place in the fly fishing world. However, the rods refined subtleness also means better presentation when throwing small flies to spooky bonefish. It makes for a great starter rod, a decent backup, or just a solid pick as an everyday budget fly fishing rod. The R8 Core 796 is the perfect combination of power, confidence and ease of casting in a rod that can cover a wide variety of fishing styles. I also like the Rio Gold on this model, as well as the Airflo Universal. A marvel of design, this rod succeeds the 597-4 X with equal casting capability but even greater control, most noticeable when throwing in the wind or horsing a nymph/indicator rig. The only real exception would be if your main requirement of a fly fishing rod is big power. Sage Introduces R8 Core Fly Rod - Fly Fisherman The rod is incredibly light in hand yet has a noticeably stiffer feel all the way through to the tip. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. Plus, this balance of light and fast makes the fight really fun when a fish is on. Both are fly rods, both catch fish just fine and both have fans. You must log in or register to reply here. The RIO Striper line fits like a glove, but it threw the SA Amplitude Bonefish nicely. Choose this model over the 956-4 for light line steelheading, high stick nymphing on big rivers and fishing lakes at distance. It has more personality than the X. Best Uses: Dry fly fishing on tailwaters where medium distant casts are needed. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model and "What line works best on this rod?". Concentration shifted to improving its resin and carbon technology, bringing forth the development of ARC 2. I think this rod gives you the best of both worlds, without sacrificing performance. Are they worth the high price tag? Maybe it is more of an indictment on the industry. The first subset are rods with a stiff tip that encourage a deeper flex. Best Use: A proper trout angler's rod; the 486-4 is perfect for smaller rivers and dry flies but offers a hint of versatility generally not seen in this size configuration. The G5 is lightweight and constructed with a narrower shaft than the previous ideation. I spent a few days fishing with a Carbon XL after my gear was delayed in transit and Ill admit, it fished just as well as my go-to rod. The Centric is decidedly a fast action rod; the G-Series more of a medium-fast. Like a child reaching out to grab his mothers waiting hand. I have benefited a lot from S&S's discourses on rods and fly fishing. They dont flop over, they turn over. We have said there is a cost to innovation and design, and in both Sage and Scott, the Centric and R8 Core are reflections of that. I thought this was a great idea as it really helped me to see the subtle and not . The X 896 was so good and I really didnt know what they could do to improve that rod. A proud hero caster, the R8 596-4 is just as impressive at reasonable fishing distance with a Rio Gold, SA MPX, Airflo Universal Taper, etc. -Rich Post, By modern standards, this would be considered a medium fast 8-weight, the purposes for which are both narrow and broad. Fast action freshwater fly rods will always represent the tip of the spear for Sage, which defined the category in the 1980s and 1990s. They cast with familiarity and intuition. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Its just plain awesome with all three, which tells me that there is virtually no bad line choice for this rod. The X 896 had a really sweet action that cast beautifully and felt lighter in the hand than you expect for a 9 foot 6 inch 8 weight. The 9 3wt is at the bottom of the R8 Core series barrel. The draw of one-piece rods is both weight reduction and improved performance. The R8 Core is an insult at the price point. Fish it on the Colorado, not the San Miguel. My favorites are the Rio Gold and Rio Technical Trout, but the rod also handles the long-headed SA Infinity Taper, the SA Trout Taper and the Airflo Superflo Universal. Boasting crazy fast line speed and enough power to overcome unpredictable ocean fishing conditions, this rod is still shockingly sensitive and surprisingly light. The rod loaded instantly and responded perfectly to a short stroke and sharp haul shooting head style cast. Different fly lines summon unique casting qualities, but the rod handles them all. The R8 bends deeper than the X and true to the marketing material Sage has released, you can feel the rod bend into the handle, providing a lot of intuitive feel when casting. The R8 Core 4100-4 is a stellar fishing tool and a specialist nymph angler's go-to rod in the new R8 lineup. But the bigger the fish, the more backbone youll need. The Echo Carbon XL ($180) is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to do some serious fishing without breaking the bank. For example, the 790-4, 890-4 and 990-4 may cast best with bonefish lines, but I wouldnt buy these rods for the flats. While less touchy and playful than the stiff-tipped models, they will meet the expectations of loyal Sage anglers and get it done with confidence on the water. Thanks to excellent leverage and control, heavy fish come quickly to the net. Even my guide friends loved it, and I could see a smidge of jealousy in their trout-lovin eyes. Is it possible that maybe there's a better line for it than what you tried? But itll still allow for a modicum of flex for accuracy, offering a meeting point between stiffness and agility. Or maybe all of the above. All four 6-weight models are designed with progressive fast action similar to the 390-4 and 596-4. I found this rod to be clunky and bouncy with a Rio Gold, but the heavier and smoother Rio Predator seemed to pull through the wrinkles. We had the opportunity to put them in hand and cast them, and see what the hype was all about. The Rio Perception makes this model feel light, crisp and free, whereas the Infinity Taper feels like the tail is wagging the dog. Typically, a rod will be fast, medium, or slow action. Since it's an all-around rod that will be most of what I use for the next couple-few decades, I'm ok with the cost of any of these (i.e. Like the R8 Core 890-4, the 990-4 is an easy caster with just about any line, but you cant stab cast it like the Igniter or horse the butt section like a Salt HD. "Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." The best ALL-AROUND freshwater 5wt? Scott or Sage? Tenkara really takes it back to basics, and the Suimenka is one of the coolest Ive seen. With 5 line weights, all at 86 long, G. Loomis introduced a powerhouse series with the NRX+ FLY T2S ($895). Read what our member's write and you get who they are and their degrees of bias (which to one extent or another we all have). I found that this rod casts lighter overhead than other rods in this class. The pick up and lay down with this rod is perfect. Its been out for a few years now, but I dont think this rods been given the credit its earned. So far Ive caught 4 decent size stripers with it, and couldnt be more happy with its performance. It gets going right away with little line out the tip without the irritating hesitation of many fast action rods. The R8 Core replaced the Sage X, which is indeed a fast-action rod. We can't wait to get them on the . Site by 21 Designs. As you likely know by owning both, the physical weight on both rods is identical - 2 13/16 ounces. When a rod maker sends out a rod for testing by third parties (free or compensated), if they are not interested in honest feedback they are not going to survive long-term. Alex wanted us to cast a 905-4 X Series rod, which was replaced by the new R8, and the 905-4 R8 Core side-by-side. This is exactly what I was hoping for from this model, among the most important for fishing in SW Colorado. Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line, RIO Perception Fly Line. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The companys direct-to-consumer model means you get a higher quality product at a far lower price point. It seems like an odd omission since its such a small component. 1 in stock. I also cast the Rio Elite Gold and the Rio Perception WF4Fs as well. I would confidently take the R8 5100-4FB to the Gunnison or the Colorado as a one rod to do it all while wading. For the longest cast of your life, stick an SA Infinity Taper on the 596 and see how much line you can hold in the air before shooting. This setup is perfect for kids and adults who want to test the waters without investing a huge sum of money to do so. I think well see the upper-weighted-end of this series both throwing streamers for salmon and pike, and wandering into the salt flats for bonefish and permit. Is the 9' 3wt really that bad of a rod? Distance- Similar to Accuracy, we realize this is subject to the anglers ability. Sage introduces the new R8 CORE fly rod lineup - Hatch Mag The Scott Centric Fly Rod is the most efficient rods Scott has ever created. Skeptical of a Wells grip on a 3-weight, I must say that it feels terrific on a rod thats long enough to leverage the grip a bit in hand. nothing beats going into a shop and wagging some rodspre internet days, used to buy from The Fly Shop in Redding, swing by during road trips, they would encourage casting rods on the lawn next to the shop, could tell right away which rods worked best for personal styleJeff at The Flyfisher Place in Sisters offers the same on the side street where he is located. Coming in a range from 3wt to 9wt, with a variety of lengths from 8'6" to 10'0 . -John Duncan, A lively and playful 5-weight with all but the right lines, this flagship model is much more than a pure caster. Scott Centric - Bigfork Anglers Neither light nor heavy for its class, the 690-4 is a convincing piece of equipment from the first impression, a rod that seems optimized for its purpose. A reel like the Sage Trout Reel 4/5/6 is where I would start on this model. Scott Centric or Sage X?? - FlyLife Magazine Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel! That rigidity, along with those extra inches, is likely the most significant contributor to the power and accuracy fishermen are experiencing from the boat. This high-quality package is available with several different options to fit you and your home water. And if you learn a bevy of casts beyond the standard like false casting, roll casting, or slack line casting youll be able to further dial in presentation for any number of setups or weather conditions. This one might have a bit too much bang. Like all the 10 foot R8 rods, an easy stroke and more relaxed cadence produce remarkable results for the amount of effort the caster applies to the rod. Guides have praised the noticeable reduction in fatigue after a long day of throwing streamers, as well as noting the power it has relative to its lightweight feel. That said, of course, the marketing of just about anything these days is based to some extent on notions of a person's desired self-image. It gets going right away with little line out the tip without the irritating hesitation of many fast action rods. Rods all come in varying lengths and weights. Striper anglers, this is your 9wt. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. Jack, admittedly is not the best caster in the world. All three reviewers were asked to rate each category from 0 to 10 for each rod. The R8 Core 7100-4 is the rod for an Alaska Trout and Salmon trip. . One of the best rods in a great series of rods! We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing reviews to give you all the tools to make your next trip a success. Ten foot 5 weights have been getting better and better recently and there are some very good ones out there right now, but there is just something about the R8 5100 that grabbed me. The 10 foot R8 rods really have a special ability to direct line via water based anchors. This delineates the amount of flexion versus stiffness in the rod. The only real notable drawback is the decision not to integrate a hook keep. Obviously, there are a lot of opinions involved in what it takes to be the best, and if you visit six different sites, youll get six different lists. Options were NRX +, Centric and now R8 core in the same configuration. Both are aesthetically pleasing and possess a polished and well-refined buildsomething youd expect from both Sage and Scott, especially from the high-end rod lineup. The rod is so light it feels more like a 9 rod in hand. The Verdict- The Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric are fantastic rods and will be a great addition to any experienced fly anglers fly rod lineup. This requires a patient stroke, even more so at short distances than long, but the tip snaps back with resilience, delivering excellent line speed with little effort from the caster. Does the 9 wt outbound overload this rod? Neither light nor heavy for its class, the 690-4 FB is a convincing piece of equipment from the first impression, a rod that seems optimized for its purpose. Recovery What we mean by recovery is the rods ability to return after a back cast. I felt the Douglas was snappier and able to generate more natural line speed despite being medium fast in action. We found it needed a lighter line like its younger sibling, such as Rio Gold or, if youre *only* fishing dries, Rio Technical Trout is also a reasonable choice. Both Sage and Scott have a long history of building great fly rods through innovation. Scott Centric $ 895.00. Gear Review: First Cast, Sage R8 Core & Scott Centric The Sage Trout G5 ($650) took home the award for Best Spey Rod, and for good reason. It has a very nice, progressive flex to it. These are the best fly rods for fly fishing trout - The Fly Fishers Both rods earn high marks for fit and finish, from the cork to the wraps to stripping guides. A truly easy casting rod for its size and length. Value- Both fly rods are expensive, with the Sage R8 Core slightly more expensive. Raise the tip after the lift and effortlessly lay it into the desired position. Stay away from extra heavy long-headed lines, such as the Rio Grand. When I casted it when it first came out, I liked it quite a bit more than than the X in that configuration. I found the FB version to be almost identical in character. Of course, like our shootouts and other casting commentaries, these mini-reviews are based on our casting style and preferences. My overall impression was that the R8 Core 4100-4 is a specialized model ideally tuned for fishing all manner of nymph rigs for trout. This rod would be perfect for tossing big poppers to largemouth. ReAct technology combines our X-Core design with a new complex materials and taper system to create a break-through in fast action rod design. The Orvis is pretty good too, but is a few years old now and tech has clearly moved on. In Alaska, managing larger fish with fighting makes a big difference. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at G. Loomis. Was there one rod that you would spend the money to replace a Sage X for and why? Yeah, we know its subjective, but so is this whole review, so what of it? All our testers found the Sage R8 Core and the Scott Centric exude quality. You get a more powerful rod in the R8 896 than the X and a rod that throws shorter heavier lines more easily. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. You must log in or register to reply here. I was looking over a few rods today and noticed how horrible the cork is on all the Hardy rods even their high end. Very light in hand but no weight inscribed on it. This style of fly fishing rod is completely different than any other on the list because its an entirely different way of fly fishing. Scott Centric Fly Rod - Duranglers Fly Fishing Shop & Guides Its interesting to me that you have found the R8 noticeably lighter than the X in this model. I got a little more drive out of this line and felt like I could carry a larger fly. Exactly. The R8 9 3-weight is springy and active with a Rio Gold and throws long, dead level loops with a Rio Technical Trout or SA Trout Taper. I thought the Rio Elite Gold WF7F was just a shade too light and didnt match the rod as well as I like. How we Rated the Rods- This particular review covers the following. Sage R8 or Winston Air 2 4 wt? | The North American Fly Fishing Forum Our Hunt & Fish Editor Nicole Qualtieri fished with this rod in 2021, and heres what she had to say about it: The Helios 3 Blackout might be my favorite rod Ive fished with to date. We asked three well-seasoned fly anglers who range in casting ability to perform this review. High line speed, flat, stable loops are easily generated. Double hauling in the wind, it knifes long loops that turn over with an audible hiss. The result was a rod that is faster, stronger, lighter, and more accurate for big freshwater applications. There is Euro style crossover potential here as well. This was their chance to make a move and they fell considerably short in my opinion. A Rio Technical Trout didnt engage the rod much, and I began to lose hope. That does not mean that it is not a powerful and highly capable rod, but it is not a blazing loop slinger. You really feel precise and in control with this line and the rod casts a little bit lighter in the hand. In fact, we observe two distinct design strategies within the R8 Core. The Gold Standard Starter Kit ($356) from Bozeman Flyworks is one of the few truly complete packages to get you going. Sage R8 Core | Sage - Far Bank Enterprises I was much more impressed when I cast the Douglas Sky G 6wt. The Best New Fly Fishing Rods of 2022 | GearJunkie The Infinity taper slows the rod down a touch, but it gives it more of that flow state. This fly rod offers wonderful feedback to the caster. I am partial to dry flies and do value a rod that casts accurate with good line control, good fly placement & presentation. I dont know many people who actually use them. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. S. steveg47 Member. Since one of them broke and since trying a friend's Sage X (which was far superior for casting/presentation), I am in serious need for a serious upgrade for a rod that can do all freshwater things reasonably well - streams, rivers, lakes, small dries up to medium+ streamers & nymphing, from delicate presentation to punching through the wind. A typical wade-and-walk, small-stream, slow-action rod might be a 76 3-weight rod. The R8 896 had a shooty feel with this line and was truly fun to watch the head of the line race away and turn over. Sage R8 Fly Rod Price: $1050.00 Line weights: 3wt, 4wt, 5wt, 6wt, 7wt, 8wt, 9wt A brilliant choice to tackle your next fishing trip, the Sage R8 fly rod gives you a terrific tool to catch trout. Fly fishing rods are constantly changing with improvements in construction, fly lines, reels, and technology. The 95 length is great for fishing in drift boats or off a paddleboard. R8 Core lands at the center point between Igniter and Trout LL, but Walker emphasizes that the action of each model is purposeful and unique. This rod is more of an AK salmon rod than a large trout rod. The other day our Sage sales representative, Alex Ramirez, gave The Fly Shop team a product demonstration on the new Sage R8 Core single-hand rods. Your email address will not be published. The Airflo Universal casts well throughout this rods range, too, and I suspect that the Rio Perception is also a good match. This stick has the authority to lift long lines and deep nymph rigs from distant drifts, prowling a broad river like an angler with long arms. This allows me to be more precise with the position of my line when mending, and the R8 Core 4100 handles this as intuitively as any rod out there. To me, they are freshwater and fresh/salt crossover rods that allow the angler to make many casts without fatigue. SKU: N/A Category: Fly Rods. -John Duncan. If youre looking for an empowering distance casting 8 weight that is approachable to many fly casters, look no further. Kind of the same reason we don't directly compare a Porsche to Nissan Sentra. I own the sage r8 core 486. R8 Core is a rod family focused on maximum versatility and applies new revolutionary material technology through our forward thinking lens of what we're seeing out on the water where one rod needs to show even greater range. Enjoy the rod! It includes a rod, reel, fly line, leaders, tippet, a fly box, a rod case, a reel sleeve, and even the option to add a net. Sage has a long history of designing amazing seven-weights, so we had high expectations for the R8 model. We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one. Sage R8 Core Fly Rods | Model-by-Model Review. The R8 Core delivers new performance parameters that deliver a noticeably heightened feel and connection, whether you are fishing, casting, or fighting a fish. This is a fine Alaska rod or crossover saltwater-freshwater model, which are increasingly rare. Check Price at Trident Fly FishingCheck Price at Farbank. I hear what you're saying, but it is not that simple. This could be due to the new generation material, the way the rod is balanced, or simply it could just be lighter.
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