Sage 690-4 FB R8 Core

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   I’m going to repeat my review of the 690-4 here because I honestly found these models to be nearly inseparable. If anything, the FB edition feels a tiny bit lighter, the natural result of mounting the grip ¾” higher on the blank. Neither light nor heavy for its class, the 690-4 FB is a convincing piece of equipment from the first impression, a rod that seems optimized for its purpose. More than anything else, Sage just nailed the taper and material application. It casts naturally with tremendous line speed and zero torsional play at all distances. We ask much of our 6-weights, but the R8 690-4 FB exceeds all requirements. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. It’s just plain awesome with all three, which tells me that there is virtually no bad line choice for this rod. It gets going right away with little line out the tip without the irritating hesitation of many fast action rods. Double hauling in the wind, it knifes long loops that turn over with an audible hiss. This is the same review as the 690-4, but I did cast both fly rods and was equally impressed.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   The 690/4 FB and 690/4 are very similar in hand and on the water. In general, the fighting butt version feels a shade lighter in hand but not by too much. If you tend to fish streamers more the fighting butt version will likely be a better bet. If you use your 6wt more for dry fly fishing and nymph fishing I’d suggest the non fighting butt version. As I mentioned, they are both very similar rods, but it’s nice to have the option. As far as fly lines go, for floating lines both the Rio Elite Gold WF6F and SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF6F are great options. For a streamer specific fly line I’d suggest looking into the Rio Elite Predator family of lines. They offer these lines in various configurations and densities to fit every situation.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   The fighting butt version of the R8 9 foot 6-weights, the 690 FB is astonishingly light in the hand and holds up line in the air like Hercules holds his javelin. The 690 FB feels like the best parts of the ONE 691 and the X 691 made lighter with more sensation and a springier progressive taper. The blank comes to life with the slightest movement. Control is exceptional and precise and the lightness in the hand is hard to believe. The cork is a full wells style, compared with the modified wells grip of the 690 and is slightly larger than the X. The shape is a lot like the ONE 691 with a little more shape to the palm. This rod made me feel like it wanted to fish its ideal day for trout with a streamer or throwing a popping bug to smallmouth bass. I definitely would use this rod as an all-around trout 9-foot 6-weight, but after casting I felt the R8 690 better fit that bill. I liked the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity Taper WF6F on this model a little better. That line drives a purposeful V-loop with Jedi like intuition. I believe that both of the 9-foot R8 Core 6-weights are the best examples Sage has produced to date. I like that they are similar in line preferences and performance but different like fraternal twins. The two rods really complement each other well and set the foundation for a superb lineup of R8 Core 6-weights.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)