I have an embarrassing amount of Sage fly rods of all kinds . They where fantastic but i am talking what they made about 10 years ago , not todayHad a sage xp. Was my favourite rod. Regretting selling it but needed to as was moving abroad.
I have an embarrassing amount of Sage fly rods of all kinds . They where fantastic but i am talking what they made about 10 years ago , not todayHad a sage xp. Was my favourite rod. Regretting selling it but needed to as was moving abroad.
unfortunately some folks think the more they spend the better is casts a tight fast loop and fishes , its just not true ! I doubt it ever will beIn my opinion there are casting poles and fishing rods. I’ve owned many of the top brands and models and although whilst competition fishing I used Sage XPs and Bloke XL fairly fast actioned rods, I felt that I was losing too many fish by ripping hooks out and converted to rods with a more through action, more forgiving on soft mouthed fish. I now use a Winston biit in 9’ 4wt as my main dry fly rod, I’ve also had Sage SP and SL which are also very nice in the action. I also like Fulling Mill Gold for the heavier line weights. The fastest action rod that I know have is a Loop S1 in 9’ 5wt for heavier dry fly and small still waters, I also use it for sea trout with no problems unless trying to chuck a big snake or tube. I buy all my rods second hand for under £300 as I can’t justify the cost of a new one.
Simple, travel to me in the South West of EnglandI’ve never cast a fly rod. Must admit its something I would love to try. Not sure what options we have down in the south east of england.
That name brings back memories. Are they still going? There was, for some, a cult of Bloke rods and Vosseler reels. But not for the somewhat infamous J J Jardine rods.Bloke XL
65ft head that’s for grown ups!!!I am quite happy with my 13fter built on a blank from the late great Mick Bell of Bloke Rods (ignore it saying 12'6" - I was sent the wrong blank but after casting it didn't want to switch haha).
For the Tay, I have been enjoying my 15ft Cadence spey rod. Never gotten to try the older/softer rods, but from what I've been told, it is much on the money for the slower actions that used to be much more common. 65ft spey line is a lovely relaxing thing to cast from it.
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The technique must match the guy casting it or the user must adapt , not all can at least quickly on a tripI too have far too many Sage rods. Not content, I purchased a Sage 8wt 11 1/2 ft switch rod for sea trout in Patagonia. My guild let me use his LTS (Dynamite?) 12 1/2 ft 8wt. It was like night and day. Landed a 20lb sea trout soon after.
The business continues but sadly Mick passed away a few years ago. He gave me one of his innovative Trebuchet rods to try and that was a classic “casting pole” that could throw a line ridiculous distances but was not the nicest fishing rod. I too had some of the excellent Vosseler reels but have graduated to Lamsons.That name brings back memories. Are they still going? There was, for some, a cult of Bloke rods and Vosseler reels. But not for the somewhat infamous J J Jardine rods.
65ft head that’s for grown ups!!!
Rather you than me I’ll stick with my 45-50ft heads thank youHave a 75ft line still in the tin as well for when the 65fter wears outCarron jetstream lines
Best Rod I have a #3 brook rod by Hardy my go to kit it casts like a swallow kissing the water a real delight to use and punches well above its weight
All the rest are Orvis, lovely balanced work horse rods and reels in all weights
Ohh and B&W salmon rod purchased a lifetime ago in Scotland never had a need to replace it, so very well made![]()
Like this one - caught on a no 16 olive and 3.4lb tippet.The very best fly rod is always the one clutched in my hand with a nice Brownie hanging onto one of my dry fly concoctions![]()
That’s a lovely fishLike this one - caught on a no 16 olive and 3.4lb tippet.
That’s a beautiful trout and RodMy favourite fly rod is my little no3 weight split cane rod built on Agutters blank. It is a really delightful rod to use. Last fish I caught with it View attachment 368518