Sage

Sage at AvidMax

Rod designer Don Green founded Sage in 1980 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, and the company still builds its rods there one at a time. Each blank passes through 23 sets of hands before it ships, and Sage pairs that care with its own graphite technology and American-made reels. AvidMax carries Sage rods from small-creek trout sticks to saltwater and Spey models, along with Sage reels, and our staff can help you choose.

Why fish a Sage fly rod?

Handcrafted on Bainbridge Island, Washington

Sage began in 1980 as the Winslow Rod Company, named for the town on Bainbridge Island where Don Green built the first rods. Bruce Kirschner joined soon after, and the name changed to Sage. The company started with six people in about 1,500 square feet. Today roughly 175 employees work in a 30,000 square foot shop at that same location. Every rod is built individually through hundreds of steps, and Sage reels are designed on the island and machined from aluminum with drags that use American-made carbon.

From Graphite II to R8

Sage has a long track record of building its own blank materials. Graphite II arrived in 1983, Graphite III in 1989, and Graphite IIIe in 2000. Konnetic followed in 2012 and Konnetic HD in 2017. The current R8 platform uses a proprietary aerospace composite and a nano-sintered resin that lets Sage pack more fiber into a slimmer blank. The result is a stronger backbone with a more sensitive tip, and a sweet spot that sits closer to your hand, so you get more range with less effort. Graphite IIIe still powers value models like the Foundation.

Which Sage fly rod is right for you?

  • Sage R8 Core: A fast-action, do-it-all R8 rod in 3 to 9 weight and 8'6" to 10' lengths, covering dry flies, nymphs, streamers and steelhead.
  • Sage Salt R8: A fast saltwater rod in 6 through 12 weight plus a 15 weight, built for quick, accurate casts to bonefish, permit, tarpon and bluewater species.
  • Sage Power R8: An ultra-fast R8 rod in 5 to 9 weight for driving into wind, throwing heavy rigs and casting oversized streamers at distance.
  • Sage CLASSIC R8: A deep-loading moderate action in 3 to 6 weight, built for dry fly anglers who want touch and accuracy at short to medium range.
  • Sage Dart: A short, fast rod in 0 to 4 weight for tiny creeks, tight cover and small dry flies.
  • Sage Foundation: A fast-action Graphite IIIe rod in 4 to 9 weight that gives newer anglers a capable, affordable start from trout streams to salmon and bass.

Buy your Sage fly rod from AvidMax

Sage covers new rods and reels bought from an authorized dealer against defects in materials and workmanship for the original owner, and breaks outside the warranty can be repaired or replaced on Bainbridge Island for a set fee. Not sure which model fits your water? Our team fishes this gear and can help you match a rod, reel and line. Call 720-836-3619 (9 to 5 MST, Monday to Saturday). Standard shipping is free on orders over $45.

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