When you need a rod to depend on when it matters most, put your trust in the new Sage R8. The new R8 blank represents the leading edge in fly rod technology, perfectly blending high performance and versatility.
For over four decades, Sage has been at the forefront of graphite fly rod technology, revolutionizing the way we fish from the picturesque shores of Puget Sound. With the Sage R8 Fly Rod, we are introducing an eighth revolutionary advancement in our journey, blending art and science to create an unmatched angling experience.
Embrace the next revolution in fly fishing with the Sage R8 Fly Rod. Whether you're stalking and exploring diverse trout streams, or venturing into saltwater habitats, the R8 is designed to adapt and excel. Experience the perfect balance of art and science, and elevate your fishing to a new level with the Sage R8 Fly Rod.
** If the rod you are after is currently out of stock or there is another model you have in mind but is not listed feel free to contact us by calling our Tumut store on (02) 6947 4062 or by email.
R8 Technology
At the heart of the Sage R8 Fly Rod lies our groundbreaking R8 Technology. This innovation is designed to bring anglers into a state of "fishing in the moment," where instinct and experience merge seamlessly. The R8 Technology enhances the two-way connection from hand to fly and back, delivering greater feel, flow, and control.
Enhanced Hand-to-Rod Connection
Experience an unprecedented level of reactivity and sensitivity with the Sage R8 Fly Rod. By increasing the purity of graphite in the rod, energy transfer is optimized, shifting it further down the blank and into the handle. This creates a more natural extension of your arm, resulting in less wasted effort and intuitive reactivity. The focus is on rhythm and awareness, allowing you to feel the energy in every moment on the water.
Pure Graphite Construction
The Sage R8 Fly Rod is crafted with advanced, leading-edge materials. The rod boasts a stiffer, stronger backbone and a more sensitive tip for a more connected feel. This is achieved through a proprietary aerospace composite with greater hoop strength, allowing for rapid taper diameter growth from the tip. Additionally, a nano-sintered resin application increases axial resilience, packing more fiber into the blank. The result is a true two-way connection from hand to fly, providing superior feel, flow, and control.
Amplified Sensory Feedback Loop
The Sage R8 Fly Rod features an amplified two-way feedback loop, thanks to our new axial fiber formulation. This design allows you to feel the precise moment when power needs to be applied throughout the cast, presentation, and when applying pressure to fish. The effortless energy transfer and connected feel ensure a heightened fishing experience.
Heightened Fishing Experience
The Sage R8 Fly Rod is designed to elevate your mental flow and focus. Whether it's the strategic process of matching the hatch, reading the water, or instinctively placing a fly in the perfect spot, this rod facilitates a higher state of mental flow. Immediate feedback from tip to hand ensures that your small decisions, thoughts, and actions align effortlessly, making every moment on the water feel automatic and instinctual.
Features
- Revolution 8 Technology
- Fast action 4pc blank
- Silver Pine blank colour
- Slate primary thread wraps with graduated White and Grey trim
- Fuji ceramic stripper guides with hard chromed snake guides and tip-top
- Laser-etched line weight on slide band
- Black rod with new quick-tie cord lock for faster, easier and cleaner storage
- Aluminium rod tube with Sage medallion
- 3WT - 6WT: Premium Flor grade snub-nose half-wells cork handle
- Sustainable Ziricote wood insert with anodised aluminium up-locking reel seat
- 5WT - 9WT (w/ fighting butt): Premium grade full-wells cork handle with cork/EVA fighting butt
- Gunmetal anodised aluminium up-locking reel seat
- Integrated hidden hook keeper in reel seat
- Claimed Weight (with tube): 525
The Sage R8 family of high-performance fly rods are equally versatile as well as powerful. When the pressure's on to make that perfect cast to a trophy fish, put the new Sage R8 in your hands!
390-4
Think small creeks, delicate presentations, and technical casting, the 390 is the perfect choice. The 9" length allows for slightly more reach than a typical 3 weight to allow for longer casting distance and precise line control in challenging pocket water.
486-4
The 486 is an ideal rod for a small-streamtrout angler. The light overall weight, coupled with the slightly shorter 8'6" length makes this rod a dream trout rod. A faster butt section and slower action tip allows for a powerful rod to combat wind with a delicate tip for protecting light tippet. Best suited for throwing smaller and medium-sized flies, the 486 is a fantastic summer rod.
490-4
A fantastic trout rod aimed at throwing small and medium-sized flies with slightly more power due to the 9' length over the 486. The 490 has great line control for short mends, soft presentations and reaching over faster currents. Light enough to hold comfortably all day, a must-have trout angler's rod.
410-4
The lightest of the 10' offerings from Sage, excelling in line control and nymphing. A soft, supple tip combined with a fast butt section results in fantastic strike detection when nymphing and tippet protection for larger fish. When opened up to a longer cast the 10' length is a fantastic rod for high winds, larger dry flies, heavier droppers and even small streamers, think summertime hopper-dropper fishing. A great hybrid rod for any freshwater condition.
586-4
A slightly heavier weight for an 8'6" rod, the 586 is an exceptionally accurate casting rod designed with a wide range of fly sizes in mind. When the time comes to nail a target to an ultra picky trout, the 586 will sort things out.
590-4
Arguably the most versatile fly rod weight across the board, the 590 is a rod that can handle pretty much any freshwater application you can throw at it. Delicate presentations and light tippet protection coupled with a strong backbone to cast heavier nymphs against high winds creates for the most versatile of the entire R8 range. You can't go wrong with a 9' 5 weight.
596-4FB
If you love the feel of a classic 9' 5 weight but are looking for slightly more distance and line control in your fishing, the 596 is the one for you. The addition of a fighting butt allows for a more balanced overall fly rod especially considering the longer 9'6" length. It also gives you control in a prolonged fight to give you the confidence you'll land that fish of a lifetime.
510-4FB
A powerhouse 5 weight rod at 10' long with the addition of a fighting butt creates a distance casting machine. The longer blank aids with line control and the fighting butt balances the overall set-up. A great rod for lakes and nymphing applications, at home, throwing big rigs and heavier flies.
690-4
A staple rod in any anglers quiver, the 690 is a beast of a trout rod. An ideal choice for our Australian spawn run, the 690 is most at home casting heavy flies against high winds. A great distance caster for larger rivers, lakes or from a boat. At this weight you can also start experimenting with other freshwater species such as smallmouth bass.
690-4FB
The same great performance from the 690 you know and love, this time with a fighting butt and an anodised reel seat. The perfect lake and streamer addict's rod or for those looking to muscle big spawn run fish.
696-4FB
If heavy nymphs and streamers are required at your next fishing destination, take the 696-FB with you. Slightly more reach than a typical 9' rod and greater line control this makes the perfect choice for a trout/ bass rod.
610-4FB
If you want the biggest, baddest, most powerful trout rod imaginable, stop scrolling, the 610-FB is your rod. With unmatched power from a trout rod mixed with incredible line control, large streamers and stupidly heavy nymphs get thrown with ease. Featuring an all-weather reel seat, the 610 can be used in fresh or saltwater.
790-4
A versatile big water, big fish rod ideal for saltwater or freshwater scenarios. From bass off a drift boat to Alaskan salmon and giant trout, put your trust in the 790 to get the job done.
796-4
Similar to the 790, the extra half a foot gives that slight edge to punch through wind and gain that extra distance when needed. A fantastic choice for throwing large nymph and indicator rigs, bass bugs or saltwater poppers all day long.
710-4
The most line control available from a 7 weight in the R8 family with increased casting distance and the ability to throw big bugs all day long. From giant Alaskan salmon to saltwater species from a boat, the 710 will make your day.
890-4
An ideal weight for a dedicated saltwater rod and an ultra-versatile big freshwater rod, the 890 can handle big flies and then some. The all-weather reel seat prolongs the use of this rod in the salt and can be used for a killer big freshwater set-up.
896-4
Lakes, rivers, salt, heavy flies, high wind, you name it, the 896 R8 can do it! With a slightly longer reach than its 9' counterpart, this rod is a distance casting weapon. Chasing multiple species with this rod isn't an issue, just string it up and start casting.
810-4
Being the heaviest weight in the 10' offerings from Sage, the 810 is an ideal choice for a beach set-up or if you need to fish big, heavy flies with precise line control. The solid butt section and fighting butt combined with the longer length makes fighting large fish easier than ever.
990-4
The biggest rod in the entire Sage R8 range, the 990 is for all-water and big fish. When you need a rod you can depend on that fish of a lifetime. The 990 is a beast of a rod to cut through the highest of gusts and cast the heaviest of flies. An excellent rod to round out the collection.