Sage 490-4 Arrow

Reviews

1. Rated 4 out of 5

   The Arrow 490-4 is an excellent rod for fishing delicate dry flies. Fish this rod with a heavy-ish line such as the Rio Elite Gold XP to load it deeply for smooth casting. I noticed some tip bounce on short casts, but on 40’ shots with most of the line head out, it grooves nicely. The light tip on this rod makes me hesitant to recommend it for nymphing, but the Arrow 490-4 would make a nice dry fly rod for tailwaters, spring creeks and other scenarios that require mid-to-long casts and potentially leaders of 10’-14’ in length. This rod will excel in protecting delicate tippets and generally feels like it is designed for precise techniques, small flies and gentle waters.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 4 out of 5

   The Arrow 490 is a wonderful “do-all” light trout rod that finds its place action wise between the R8 Core and R8 Classic 490s. Fish a Rio Gold XP on this rod. That is the same line I like on the Classic R8 490. The Gold XP just puts the weight in the correct places along the blank to provide optimum blank to line engagement. This setup in my hands feels a lot more like a tuned dry fly rig than a “fish the indicator first” outfit. Great touch, clear feedback with a feeling of the rod correcting and reminding you in regards to mistakes. The Arrow 490 shares the same Konnectic HD DNA as the X rod, but in a much more even casting and approachable action in the 490.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 4 out of 5

   The Sage Arrow 490 is a borderline fast action fly rod and stays true with the other characteristics of the Sage Arrow lineup. That means it’s light in hand and has plenty of spring and pop. We initially had this rod lined with a Rio Technical Trout and found it was a bit too testy, then a Rio Gold brought out the best in it. I wouldn’t doubt it could even go heavier, but nonetheless it was great with the Gold.

   Harry Kearney (Telluride Angler)