The New Sage X, The Technology Behind The Action

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Sage-X

For weeks now I’ve been keeping the biggest secret in fly-fishing.

I feel very fortunate to be one of a few folks trusted with knowledge of the new Sage X fly rod. When a company like Sage asks you to keep your mouth shut about their new product, you know they are cooking something big. When I visited the Sage factory last month, to see the X, I could feel the electricity in the air. I’ve known these guys for a long time and I’ve never seen them so excited.

Today the cat is officially out of the bag.

There is a new family of rods coming from Sage. The X series is built on a new proprietary technology platform and is very different from rods of the past. I have said before that I think this period in fly rod design will be remembered as a great leap forward and Sage is working very hard to prove me right.

If you saw my video about testing recovery rate, you already know some of the basics. Sage has a unique workflow in its R&D lab. They are the only fly rod manufacturer I know to employ a materials engineer. Steve Greist is the man behind the curtain at Sage and I have to say his methods and his materials are pretty impressive.

The X is the next generation of fast action fly rods from Sage.

If you are a dyed-in-the-wool glass head, it might not be for you. But, if you like fast action rods, especially ones which are extremely light and responsive with buttery smooth actions, you’re going to love the X. Yep, it’s expensive but it’s a damned fine fly rod and I expect they will sell every one of them.

I got to see, or I should say hear, the resonance test on the new X technology blanks and the material is significantly faster than the technology in the One rods. You might expect it to be a broom stick. I kind of did, but it’s far from it. The 9’ 5wt X that I’ve fished feels much better to me than the One.

Looking at a cross section of the blank under a microscope, you can see the difference in the size and consistency of the fibers. I have a limited understanding of what goes into producing carbon fiber, but you can see the precision in the material. It makes sense that it would perform better.

I found it to be extremely accurate and effortless to cast. It makes very tight loops and landed dry flies delicately in a tea cup. In the afternoon, when I switched to a very heavy four-inch streamer, it performed surprisingly well. I’d normally never fish streamers on a five weight but the X consistently turned my fly over on target on long and short casts.

Jerry Siem, Sage rod designer, called this rod “The Scepter of Moses.”

I don’t know that it’s going to part the waters for you, but it will certainly separate some fish from them. You might even feel a bit like Charlton Heston when you fish it.

Kevin Howell, of Davidson River Outfitters, is writing up a full review on the X and I will be posting that shortly. If you are a fan of fast action fly rods, you should get out and cast the X when it becomes available. It’s pretty spectacular.

Preorder your Sage X HERE

Louis Cahill
Gink & Gasoline
www.ginkandgasoline.com
hookups@ginkandgasoline.com
 
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11 thoughts on “The New Sage X, The Technology Behind The Action

  1. Great intro, Louis. Richard Post from Telluride Angler has just published a detailed on-the-water review that he wrote in late May, following a field trip with the Sage company to the Yakima River.

  2. There are multiple composite engineers on staff at Hardy/Pure Fishing and have been for quite a few years. They own a company call HAC and have been responsible for many advancements in fly rod and non fishing advancements in composit/graphite technologies over the past 10+ years.
    It will be interesting to compare the X to Sintrix material Hardy rods.
    Just thought you should know some extra facts vs say that Farbank is the only company to employ such an engineer.
    Cheers.

  3. Why would anyone want to spend the kind of $ that Sage is asking for that X rod when they can own the Hardy Sintrix technology built in to their Zephrus rod for hundreds less? Boy marketing is a powerful thing!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Supporting an AMERICAN rod company that makes all of their fly rods in the USA is one major reason to buy the X, and being one of the few to cast and X rod (even before the SAGE dealer summit where Louis got his), it truly is a better rod than the ONE, and will be liked by many. If you like Hardy, that’s great, but you shouldn’t expect everyone to like what you like, or put down a rod that you haven’t even cast yet. Fly rod selection should be made by casting rods before you buy them, and then going with the rod you enjoy most. You should NEVER buy a rod without casting it, or buy into the hype put out by ANY shop, rep, “expert”, or company. Cast and make an informed opinion for yourself.

    • Supporting an AMERICAN rod company that makes all of their fly rods in the USA is one major reason to buy the X, and being one of the few to cast an X rod (even before the SAGE dealer summit where Louis got his), it truly is a better rod than the ONE, and will be liked by many. If you like Hardy, that’s great, but you shouldn’t expect everyone to like what you like, or put down a rod that you haven’t even cast yet. Fly rod selection should be made by casting rods before you buy them, and then going with the rod you enjoy most. You should NEVER buy a rod without casting it, or buy into the hype put out by ANY shop, rep, “expert”, or company. Cast and make an informed opinion for yourself.

  4. Pingback: Yakima River trout Fishing: Video | Fly Fishing | Gink and Gasoline | How to Fly Fish | Trout Fishing | Fly Tying | Fly Fishing Blog

  5. Had the pleasure of casting one today. As far as trout fishing goes I am an unabashed cane guy but this ro made me rethink my dedication. If I were in the market for a 6 or 7 weight rod, AND I won the lottery, this would be the rod.

  6. Very disappointed. Ordered a Sage X 5Wt for my 70th birthday. Picked it up on Oct. 26 2016. Did a float trip on Nov. 5, 2016. Fly rod broke at the first ferrule just casting steamers. I have been fly fishing 45 years and have never had a rod break just casting. Really Sucks! Took it back to the fly shop today they will send it in to get fixed but said may take 6 weeks. Not sure it’s worth $895 plus tax.
    Dick

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