Sage Salt Fly Rod – First Impressions
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When a new rod comes on the fly fishing scene, there tends to be a lot of hoopla surrounding it. With marketing and ad campaigns up the wazoo, it is hard to tell fact from fiction. Well, as I write this (6/13/14); the new Sage Salt has yet to even been announced by Sage to the general US public. So we wanted to get some first impressions of this rod out before the marketing explosion that is sure to ensue after IFTD (Internation Fly Tackle Dealer Trade Show). We won’t go into the technology, specs, and all of the Sage Salt Fly Rod just yet; we just wanted to state few things for now.
Durangler’s owner John Flick was able to test out the Sage Salt 11 weight on a recent trip to the Keys hunting for tarpon. If anyone knows John, you will know that he is very discerning when it comes to what is great and what isn’t so great. In short, this rod casts incredibly well for beginning saltwater anglers yet is an absolute heromaker in the hands of an experienced fisherman. As John states below, it is extremely durable as evidenced by this video he happened to take of Van fighting a 100+ pound tarpon who decided to bend the rod over the gunnel of the boat during a run. (Van also shows some sweet skills too).
In John’s Words:
“I have been fishing for tarpon in the Florida Keys for the last 22 years. I only get 7-10 days a year, so it’ s not like I am an expert, but I have cast numerous fly rods over the years. My guide, Captain Bus Bergmann has been guiding and fishing in the Keys for 35 years; he has definitely seen many different rods and fished them all. My fishing partner this year, Van Rollo, a sales rep for Sage for over 30 years; has also seen, cast and fished them all. This year, we were fortunate to have numerous 11 weight Sage rods on board. We had an Xi2, Xi3, Method, One and the new Salt. We fished the same line on all the rods, a Rio 11 weight tarpon line. After 5 days of fishing, we all agreed we liked the new Salt the best. It’s lighter and not as stiff as some saltwater rods. It is VERY easy to cast and will be for all levels of caster. It has a lot of power and is very durable as shown on this video. So all you anglers that are disappointed every time your ‘favorite’ rod is discontinued for the ‘new’ version; you will be pleasantly surprised by the new Sage Salt Fly rod.”
-John Flick, Duranglers Owner
John was also able to take a few more shots of fighting large tarpon in the Keys with the Sage Salt Fly Rod.
In short, this rod is all that Sage claims it to be. True to it’s name, the Salt is slated to be a saltwater hustler. The Sage Salt Fly Rod family will be available August 2014. Once we get our hands on a few more weights of this rod family, we will post our full review. Until then, get excited because we are. I can’t wait to try an 8 wt out on some local pike.
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