Sage 486-4 Trout LL

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Like most of the rods in this series, the Trout LL 486-4 is lovely with a Rio Technical Trout or SA Trout Taper line. It has the same flex and feel characteristics of its cousins. Each time I cast, I started with fly in hand and worked it out over 50 feet. It has a remarkably even flex profile, loading effortlessly with a relaxed stroke throughout this range. I would choose this model over the 490-4 for fishing small and medium sized rivers with leaders up to 13′. The Trout LL 486-4 is ideal for pocketwater, dry-dropper fishing and single dry flies up to approximately size 10. Tailwater anglers should go with the 9′ 4-wt because the extra length really helps turnover leaders over 13′. Also, the longer rod abets line pickup and mending on broad water. The shorter rod swings lighter, casts even more accurately and will be preferred by many anglers until its range is exceeded.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   The 486 Trout LL handles a Rio InTouch Technical Trout line wonderfully, dead to rights accurate and repeatable at close distances around 15 feet, but the pairing really comes to life at around the 30-foot mark. At this distance the combo felt very controlled and even with loops that were level and predictable. While I have more overall control of my line and loop shape with the 490 Trout LL, the 486 was a half measure quicker than the 490 with the Technical Trout line. This slight difference in action made me feel like the 486 would be a more adept dry dropper or larger hopper rod on medium sized rivers or in tighter cover. With the Rio Gold, the Trout LL 486 loaded a little bit better in close while slowing the action down slightly. For throwing smaller dry flies at all distances I preferred the Rio Technical Trout on the Trout LL 486. If you opt for bushy terrestrials or a dropper, go with the Rio Gold WF4F.

   This rod is a finely tuned 4-weight for the angler looking for a true all around 4-wt but doesn’t want a rod with a faster action like the X 486.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   The 486 LL is a killer “do it all” 4wt rod. Though this rod will be happiest with a dry fly, it also can handle relatively heavy nymphs. I found it to be noticeably quicker than the 490, but is still very much a medium action 4wt. As is the case with all of the new LLs, the 486 is very accurate at all distances and wonderful in close. It is definitely a little more punchy than the 490 and would handle the wind a tad better. I cast this with both the Technical Trout and InTouch Gold and found them both to be great pairings. This would be a great option for someone looking for a slightly shorter all around 4. All in all, I was very pleased with this rod.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   As much as I liked the 490 in this series, I think I liked the 486 even better. Sage has put out an excellent lineup here. Flex profile is just super sweet in the 486. Slow enough to really feel it load into the mid section of the blank, but fast enough to give it power for those longer casts. Accuracy was precise at varying distances. I tend to use my 4 wt rods for dry fly and dry dropper fishing, and the 8’6″ length I find to be ideal for this type of fishing. Hitting tight pockets or sipping fish at 40 feet out will be a breeze with this rod. I found the new Rio Technical Trout line to be the best match for the 486. Get out and fish it!

   Jason Moshonas (Telluride Angler)