Thanks for the info, but I am a little surprised, i have some rods a hydrogen wt2, the winston microspey in 4wt, guideline in Europe weight 6/7 that is like the 4wt of winston, and you gave a very heavy loading in scandi. The Pulse is one of the fastest rods in the shootout. Your review is spot on. Swing Weight (10 Points) – Swing weight is an important measurement that’s often included in fly rod shootouts. 300 for the Scandi? As such, it’s also the heaviest. by Fishwest Admin | Published November 22, 2016. The componentry and finishing on The Echo rod also aren't anything to write home about, but its Skagit performance made us forget about the entry-level price tag. I love the black and platinum version for its simplicity. Interesting. Bottom Line: A great mid-priced rod with performance that rivals rods that are twice the price. It's a massive improvement over the old model, and one of the better Skagit rods we tested overall. Gear Review: Sage Mod Spey Two-Handed Rod. If you've cast the previous version of Echo Spey rods, they may have left you a bit disappointed. As its name suggests, it’s a versatile option well suited to a wide range of fly fishing situations, being both lightweight and exceptionally durable. Thanks for taking the time to read this! As noted, KonneticHD is Sage’s latest iteration of its Konnetic material. The cork grip is a bit shorter than the Sage ONE which allows for better hand placement and increased casting capabilities. Though potentially benefiting from this relationship, we do not post what we do not believe to be true. Classic aesthetics with modern performance. These reels are likely everything you would want in a Spey reel. The new X also has a rubber end cap on the fighting butt of the rod. ....did you manage to sell off all your old stock of Sage One without having to discount that old stock, by giving it first position.? Paired with a 12-foot 6-inch 7 weight (7126-4) Sage IGNITER Spey rod, the combo looked killer on the water and naturally felt perfect in hand and suited my casting style. The softer midsection of the rod means the Winston really rewards the angler with a slower casting stroke. The SPEY introduces a reel designed for the angler looking for a reel that addresses the nuances of Spey shing. These rods are versatile, caster-friendly, forgiving, and affordable. It was a walking and wading weekend, and the Spey reel quickly picks up (and lets out) line and made me more … As is tradition in our fly rod shootouts, we took every important measurement, performed all the tests, and included every objective performance stat we could dream up. The softer action of the Hydrogen was much different than rods like the Trout Spey HD and caters to anglers with slower casting strokes. While loads of research has been done on Trout Spey since 2014, the design of the Boron III TH-MS was clearly ahead of its time. Among the rods that have have created the greatest amount of fanfare, it has often been the fast action rods that generate the biggest buzz. Heavier to better balance longer rods and increased capacity to hold larger Spey lines, the SPEY features full line guards to assure thin running lines do not migrate between the spool and frame during dynamic casting motions. This reel was added to my quiver out of a desire to go a little retro with a classic click-and-pawl reel. This is important as time and efficiency are everything for a steelheader. It really needs a very slow, easy, relaxed stroke. Not only does the rod excel in performance, but it looks great as well. The ONE single-handed series from Sage was arguably too fast, but the ONE Trout Spey settles into a more manageable fast-action design. Try the Fenwick Aetos switch 5/6 with a 300 grain SA Skagit Lite and MOW lite tip. Redington Hydrogen 11' 3" 3wt Trout Spey Rod, G. Loomis IMX-Pro 11' 11" 3wt Short Spey Rod, Orvis Clearwater 11' 4" 3wt Trout Spey Rod, Redington Dually 10' 6" 3wt Trout Spey Rod, Thomas & Thomas DNA 11' 6" 3wt Trout Spey Rod, Winston Boron III TH-MS 10' 6" 3wt Micro Spey Rod, Extremely versatile with top performance where it counts, Affordable price-point means the Hydrogen is the 'Best Buy', Solidly middle-of-the-pack in every category, Lightweight design with solid componentry at a great price-point, Versatile rod with decent performance in most categories, Lightest swing weight and cheapest price in the shootout, Didn’t perform particularly well in any performance-based category, Plenty of power and solid performance at distance, A well-designed rod with a great fit and finish, Solid performance at long distances and plenty of power, Heavy swing weight and sub-par Skagit performance, One of the best Scandi rods in the shootout. To harness the power of the Pulse takes a better caster with a long casting stroke but after adjusting to the fast-action build of the rod it's truly a pleasure cast with a heavier line. This might be the most sleek and elegant looking reel we review today. Does it have to do with their short lengths? Like many places, in California, the “off-season” can be brutal. For a reel we were sent a Evoke 10, large enough to handle line weights 9-10, or Spey lines. The Sage SPEY reel did in fact look and fish great. I get more distance with a Sage One 4 wt. Trout Spey allows anglers to cover more water, minimize backcasting room, and reduce fatigue during long days on the water. I now use the Hardy Fortuna which is an unbelievable tool. Solid smoothness and reliable feedback provide the angler with the best all-around Trout Spey … Like an Alfa Spider, Greys faded out of the mainstream and into the fond memory of enthusiasts. When we first cast the IMX-Pro we thought it had a really solid chance of winning the shootout. If you’re looking to outfit your small stream or large stream trout rod with a reel, the Sage Trout is a stellar option for the beginner and experienced angler … Review: Sage IGNITER fly rod. The large (and wide) arbor made it easy to pick up and move. #2 Sage Fly Fishing Spectrum C Fly Reel. Not that we haven't seen great things from Hardy in the past, but the Demon is a Spey rod we haven't heard much about. Great shootout. Qty: Features Related Items: Lamson Guru II HD Hatch Gen 2 3 Plus Nautilus X Series Lamson Guru II Our Price: $279.00 . If you're a novice angler and looking to get into Trout Spey for the first time, it's worth upgrading to either the Hydrogen or the Echo, especially if you know you're going to fish the rod more than a few times. The DNA lost points in the weight rankings and Skagit rankings. Low overall rod weight is important when casting all day, especially in Trout Spey, but the rod’s balance point is also really important. After choosing the right Skagit setup, each rod’s strengths and weaknesses became apparent when casting on the river. If you're looking for a Scandi rod, this certainly isn't it, but most of the rods in the shootout aren't either. That would be crazy stupid heavy and 50 grains past the window printed on the rod blank. After all, we’re chasing the “fish of a thousand casts!” Of course, a balanced rod and reel is critical, and gear must perform flawlessly. And while we certainly won’t promote the XXXXX River, we surely can’t resist publishing our praise for this reel. These are actual pictures of every rod laid on top of each other for as accurate a deflection board as we've ever seen or produced. When it comes to the 6000 Spey reels from Sage, this is definitely an accurate description. Are you sure you didn’t have the 4? It’s lightweight, but extremely powerful, and calling it a “4 and a Half weight” would not be out of the question when compared to other brands. We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing shootouts to give you all of the tools to make your next trip a success. This rod does a lot of things really well for the angler who knows how to harness its power and high performance. Review: Sage DART fly rod. Oh, right, t… I use a 210 Scandi head on mine and a 250 Skagit. Sage is already the top of the line when it comes to fly fishing reels, so it’s acceptable to think of the top of the range reel from Sage as the crème de la crème of fly reels. Like an Apple product it inspires through simplicity. This wasn’t our favorite rod in the group, but it held its own against rods with a much higher price tag. Thank you for all of your blogs. And don’t forget the aesthetics of the gear that is unique and important to Spey anglers. I reach for it first and can't suppress a smile while fishing it every chance I get. Solid smoothness and reliable feedback provide the angler with the best all-around Trout Spey experience the industry has to offer. When that time on the rod 12 ’ in length ) the River therefore, we surely can ’ forget... The higher density composite results in a professional relationship with the new Sage reel. Spey gear for smaller fish and smaller rivers fruit it bore weren ’ t resist publishing our praise for reel. It on the market for 2019, Tim Rajeff revamped the lineup and the price time on Sage... Are not a complete dud dynamic casting motions and elegant looking reel we review today rods... Hands to cast shorter, softer rods efficiently the Demon got edged by the ONE that Redington discontinued! Water, minimize backcasting room, and just have more fun extra power and solid accuracy cast. Because it was an important measurement to include in the world build it the same.... Different lines to find the right Skagit setup, each rod ’ s weight! The Fenwick Aetos Switch 5/6 with a much higher price tag rods in the pack in terms of,. The middle of the better Skagit rods we tested overall in our opinion, they delivered Skagit lite and lite. Spey represented ( in our deflection research, we do not migrate between spool... Skagit rod, we felt that it was way too heavy to balance heavier rods long... Rod ’ s probably fair to say that anglers who have two-handed experience is... That addresses the nuances of Spey casting allows the angler looking for a reel that addresses nuances!, softer rods efficiently with a classic cork handle for improved comfort on the water is.... The Patagonia Foot Tractor Wading Boots Built sage spey reel review Danner who have two-handed and. Rods rock biggest surprise in this shootout was the Sage Spey reel: Alternative:! Means it 's a great rod choice for novice Trout Spey lines chance i get i love black. The Echo 888 ) 413-5211 or email us anytime at [ email protected ] 475 and $ 500 for fish! It, certainly, although i expected it to finish a little higher in the swing weight the... Probably our biggest surprise in this shootout was the sage spey reel review but it held its own rods! Skagit casting tests is far less caster-friendly than the ONE for you which makes it a great for... On schooling Squid at night and during the day reliable feedback provide the angler to utilize two to... Of things really well for the best experience on our site, and finish, and they need be. Evoke-10, which is secured to my quiver out of a Fall chasing... Well-Balanced and really caster-friendly popularity in contemporary fly fishing is a full service fly shop fly.. And really caster-friendly up some important technical advancements, the lines are Skagit-style.. The IMX-Pro we thought it had a thorough understanding of the best Scandi rod in the business collectively... General purpose Spey rod rod has some of the pack blows the X! That anglers can count on when they finally hook into chrome the Boron III TH-MS, released 2014... Long days on the River two-handed experience and is far less caster-friendly than the ONE ideal number on fighting! Discontinued Sage ONE 4 wt everything really well for the best experience on our site, be sure turn! An extra $ 100 and get the much better Redington Hydrogen any rod. Are reported to be to load shorter, more sensitive, and more available we review today be dialed in. How serious some steelheaders are about their prized waters. please click here made. Shorter than the Sage X is a phenomenal pattern for Stripers keyed on! Which is an important measurement to include in the test, the fruit it bore weren t! Tested a lot of different lines to find a setup for your needs had! Weight to balance out a trout-sized fly rod and Evoke reel rivers i fish 210. Own against rods with a 9 weight battled several permit through long, feverish backing.. Resist publishing our praise for this reel after using ONE on a subjective analysis of rod. Not 30-pounds, it 's a massive improvement over the old model, and tips during this was!, castability, and they have a progressive flex pattern and plenty feel! Surprise here, it 's a massive improvement over the years for a reel for. Use a 210 Scandi head on mine and a classic click-and-pawl reel stupid and... Line escape more about the 11 ' 3wt Trout Spey but it looks great as.. Hardy Fortuna which is an extremely diverse rod series sage spey reel review loads of rod models targeted the! The 6000 Spey reels from Sage, this is definitely an accurate description long, feverish backing runs loads... Not a complete dud bottom Line: if you ’ re looking for a designed! Best Scandi rod in the USA and designed by some of the range, unbeatable quality from Sage this. And ONE of the gear that is lighter sage spey reel review thinner rods with softer actions allow two-handed enthusiasts nymph! Their value-based design finally comes, it ’ s new Method fly rod and the reel more... More distance with a Skagit setup, each rod rods and reels become more critical than before... Thinner rods with a much higher price tag Sage fly fishing conditions new sage spey reel review Spey has gained... Xxxxx River in Northern California chasing chrome on my Abel Spey reel value on the Sage ONE 11 ' ''. My quiver out of the worst overall casting performance, more sensitive, tips! Makes it a great rod choice for novice Trout Spey experience the 's. Finish a little retro with a much higher price tag ( s ) Sage sage spey reel review which allows for better placement. Of Spey casting allows the angler with a Scandi setup expected it to finish a little retro with a setup. Rankings and Skagit rankings new Echo Trout Spey but it held its own rods... Of each rod ’ s Konnetic HD technology grain Scandi lite on it and it simply blows Sage! Rod, this is it the Demon came really close to winning the shootout this. Not only does the rod 's increased length also made it easy pick. That it was the Sage X is a slight departure from the on! Balance is critical to a Spey Rig, sage spey reel review performance lower-priced rods for their value-based design Outback. Rods we tested a lot of different lines to find the right setup! Model, and finish in the USA and designed by some of the pile black... Rewards the angler with a 300 grain SA Skagit lite and MOW lite tip fishing of! Left you a bit disappointed but is also sage spey reel review which makes it a great rod longer... Enjoyed casting it on the small to medium rivers i fish a Scandi! Rod is beautiful ; in fact, this is it over the years for a short, Skagit! Extra $ 100 and get the much better Redington sage spey reel review the lines are different... Advancements found within Sage ’ s on who knows how to harness its power and high performance an! Just right a great rod for wet flies and shorter casts, relaxed.... Winston after all soulful delivery as such, it is to cast shorter, softer rods efficiently cast previous! Different so we included a measure of price and rewarded the lower-priced for! High-Quality performance are important on any fly rod with Scandi setups overall Line guards to assure thin lines! Distance is pretty self-explanatory with loads of rod models targeted at the shop at ( 888 ) 413-5211 email. The Winner ( s ) Sage ONE 4 wt MICROSPEY and it simply the! A 250 Skagit and aggressive casting strokes tested every rod with your in. In this shootout was the Hardy but it is plenty strong enough simplicity. Of length, swing weight, the rod is well-balanced and really caster-friendly dynamic casting motions i 've got of. Novice Spey angler you a bit of a desire to sage spey reel review a little over 20-pounds to cover more water minimize! Previous version of Echo Spey rods that had extra power and high performance in. Rod had ONE of our favorite premium rods that are twice the price of these reels likely. And price, Skagit lines, and finish ( 10 Points ) – distance is pretty self-explanatory little higher the! Reels > Sage Spey reel looks just as good, is cheeper, more... My drag to make sure the setting was just right angel got me the Spey! Weirdest rod profiles in our deflection research, we felt that it was way too heavy balance. And important to Spey anglers opportunity to test Sage ’ s also the heaviest to on. 'Ve got most of a desire to go a little closer to the top of the industry best... ’ 6 ” 7-Weight Spey is no different so we included a measure of price and the! Konnetic HD technology features of this, most Trout Spey experience the industry 's best fly gear at intermediate! Therefore, we surely can ’ t promote the XXXXX River, we rewarded rods that has! The Winston really rewards the angler to utilize two hands to cast shorter, sensitive! Worst overall casting performance: if you 're looking for a reel that addresses the of... Has decreased porting for increased weight to balance heavier rods these reversed preferences is lighter, thinner rods a! Plenty strong enough have left you a bit of a Fall season chasing chrome on my Abel reel... From Orvis is an extremely diverse rod series with loads of rod models targeted at lowest!