Sage 7100-4 R8 Core

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   The R8 Core 7100-4 is a best in class long 7 weight for all around Trout and Salmon fishing when you need a powerful rod that can cast a long way and control line a long way out. A truly easy casting rod for its size and length. Like all the 10 foot R8 rods, an easy stroke and more relaxed cadence produce remarkable results for the amount of effort the caster applies to the rod. I cast a Rio Elite Gold WF7F and the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF7F line on this rod. Both lines were excellent. The Gold really kicked up the line speed of this rod and felt very good from 20 feet out. You really feel precise and in control with this line and the rod casts a little bit lighter in the hand. The Infinity taper slows the rod down a touch, but it gives it more of that flow state. The delivery is perfectly balanced at all distances and the slow-motion load and rebound of this rod is delightful. You have so much confidence with a long line behind you in the air. You get the feeling that the line behind you can almost hold you up it is so stable. The line really feels solid behind you. I got a little more drive out of this line and felt like I could carry a larger fly. This rod will handle a variety of lines, but I would put a longer bellied line like the Gold or Infinity on here, or the various long bellied nymphing lines. It roll casts and mends with command. The 10 foot R8 rods really have a special ability to direct line via water based anchors. This rod is no exception. In the R8 lineup, the 7100-4 is the best big rod for mending that I cast. The R8 Core 7100-4 is the rod for an Alaska Trout and Salmon trip. Enough backbone for salmon excluding large kings and plenty of fun to cast streamers and indicator rigs while wading. Stillwater anglers looking for maximum distance, those throwing larger flies and fighting larger than average fish should take notice of this rod as well.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 4 out of 5

   The 7100/4 R8 Core is a great fishing tool for those who need a lot of fly rod. It feels a bit heavy in hand, but nearly all 10’ 7wt rods do. It is a very smooth casting rod that loads right where you want it to and shoots line very well. In general this rod feels a little more substantial in hand than the two shorter 7wt R8 rods. It is very much a purpose driven fly rod like each rod in the R8 Core family. It will be happiest chasing large trout as well as steelhead and salmon. After casting several floating 7wt lines the Rio Elite Gold is my favorite. It doesn’t slow the rod down as much as the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity does and it’s a little easier to hold your loop in the air.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   Like the 796-4, the 7100-4 is a progressive action rod with tremendous spring through the mid-section, which keeps it engaged with long-bellied fly lines when casting for distance. This is a caster’s rod with uncommon feel and refinement for a 10’ 7-wt. Mass is distributed along the blank, so it doesn’t feel light until you start casting, at which point you’ll immediately feel how much work the rod will do for you. The difference between static weight and swing weight is one reason why rod manufacturers hesitate to list physical weights for rods in their literature and websites. A fine roll-caster and commanding with the mend, the R8 Core 10’ 7-wt is masterful in every aspect of presenting a fly. I prefer this rod with long-headed lines such as the SA Infinity Taper, SA Anadro and the full range of standard sink tips.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)