Sage 590-4 Trout LL

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Among the finest 9′ 5-weights I have ever cast, the Trout LL 590-4 casts with a progressive range from 15′ to over 70′ without a change in casting style.
   Just lengthen your stroke and the rod will respond with perfect intuition. It has plenty of power and control for nymphs and dry-dropper rigs, but will also drape a 16′ leader over the most sensitive rising fish. I prefer this rod with a Rio InTouch Technical Trout or SA Trout Taper. It will fish a Rio Gold all day, but those lighter lines make the rod feel lighter in my hand and offers even better loop control. This rod crushes Sage’s reputation as a one-trick-pony maker of fast action fly rods.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   Sage turned my world upside down when they released the X 590. I had never fished a rod that had that much range and power while still having the sweet touch required of a great dry fly rod. I honestly never thought I would ever have eyes for another 905, but the Trout LL 590 gives me pause. I have never picked up any fly rod as dead-to-rights accurate as this rod right out of the gate. I threw 10 short casts at my 15-foot target and each one found the mark. After I hit seven in a row I switched to southpaw and my half-assed lefty casts all landed dead center on the target. I pulled off more line and took aim at 30 feet and the casts landed as predictably as Stephen Curry with a hot hand behind the 3-point line. I pulled more line off the reel, eyed the 60-foot circle, and watched the line unroll and deliver the yarn to the circle as if I had no say in the matter. Look at the target, visualize the fly arriving, raise the rod and put the line in the air, watch a perfect cast unfold. This rod is a mind reader and it feels like an extension of not only my arm, but my fishing psyche. The Trout LL 590 is more than confident regarding accuracy, it is commanding. The rod cast the SA Trout taper and the Rio Gold interchangeably. I liked the Trout taper a little more at distance, but the difference is very slight. Pick a line that suits your fishing style and the flies you plan on using. For slightly bigger bugs go with the Gold. For techy dry work and longer leaders, reach for the Trout taper. With the addition of the Trout LL to Sage’s lineup, anglers now have three 590s that are perfectly tuned to their purposes. Looking for a no compromise fast action 5-weight for adverse conditions, check out the Igniter 590. Do you need a 9’ 5-wt that can do a little bit of everything, from dries to streamers, to nymph rigs with floating or sinking lines, pick up the X 590. If you’re a dry fly or die kind of angler that wants a rod with uncompromising accuracy and intuition from 10 feet to 75 feet, get your hands on the new Trout LL 590.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   This would have to be one of the most intriguing 9′ 5wt rods that I have ever cast. I was very impressed with how accurate and joyful it was in close and how easy it was to throw a lot of line. I found it incredibly easy to manipulate loop shape at all distances. It is very easy to step into this rod and put some muscle into it, but the feel off the tip is still magnificent. I cast this rod with both the InTouch Rio Gold and the Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout and liked both quite a bit. I would go with the Gold if you have any issues loading the rod, and would go with the Trout taper if you want to quicken the rod up and really feel the rod flex. This would make for a terrific “do-it-all” 5wt rod for any angler out there that needs to round out their quiver.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

4. Rated 4 out of 5

   Hi T.A. – Of course now that I have my 4 & 5 Mod’s (from T.A.) Sage went ahead and “rebirthed” the LL – I had a”love affair” with the “original” 473LL (1990). A very SWEET Buttery Wand ! I wanted to throw away my 590 RPL Broom Stik (1990). Great, so NOW what do I do ? Want/Need/Desire your Comparative skills of MY New 4 & 5 Mod’s to their LL Cousins (9 footers) ! Currently here in DIllon,MT. Hunting the BIG Bows and Browns on the Beaverhead (Dam to Dillon mostly). The 5 Mod has done it’s “job” using Airflo’s Xceed (sink tips/streamers & nymph rigs) & River & Stream (dries/dropper) lines. Unfortunately with the “tight quarters” (Beaverhead) doing the Walk/Wade Thing, roll casting &/or simulating some single hand speying, getting a good “feel” for this rod has been “difficult”! Haven’t found it’s Sweetness yet ! Perhaps next year on the MO from my little Drifter? Could there be a new LL Love affair in my life ? Mod-Divorces gonna be “ugly” !

   FlyFinaticLou