Sage Signal 890-4

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Magnificent. Repeating myself with reference to the 790-4, The Signal 790-4 and 890-4 may be considered a distinct sub-group of the Signal series. Both are strikingly light in hand. Both have lovely, light, progressive flexing tips that load automatically with sensitivity and a measured flex, reminiscent of the most refined high-end saltwater fly rods. Both send the line without inertia, and both generate power through line speed, rather than raw stiffness.

   I cast this rod with two lines, the Rio Elite Bonefish Plus WF8 and regular Rio Bonefish WF8. Both were terrific. With the Bonefish Plus, the rod generates the sweetest trout-to-saltwater loops imaginable, with tremendous zip coming from the natural load and recoil of the blank, effortless in the caster’s hand. The regular Rio Bonefish is 1/2 line weight lighter and allowed me to use a more aggressive double haul without generating a tailing loop. This line brings out a “high performance” nature in the rod, to borrow parlance from the Sage company. I preferred the Bonefish plus for casual casting, but both lines pair beautifully, which indicates that the Signal 890-4 will handle a wide range of lines, including most saltwater lines and freshwater lines such as the Rio Smallmouth and SA Infinity tapers. Fish this rod everywhere for everything that swims. I’m really impressed.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)