Sage Classic R8 490-4

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   This will be a popular fly rod, in my opinion embodying the exact action profile Sage desired in this series and in a length/line weight that couldn’t be more purposeful to the dry fly fisher. Like most 9’ 4-weights, the Classic R8 can fish a dry-dropper or light nymph rig without apology, but my purpose for this rod would be long leader dry fly fishing of the sort showcased on the great match-the-hatch rivers in the U.S., including the Missouri, Green, Silver Creek, Henry’s Fork, Snake, San Juan, Delaware and the old school technical dry fly streams of Pennsylvania and New York. The rod flexes evenly, or “progressively” as we say, a useful quality for the angler who employs loop control and precise line mends in presenting a dry fly. It casts a long leader with moderate line speed and easy fly turnover to match your heart rate when you’re trying to slow-cook your presentation to catch one good fish.

   With a Rio Elite Technical Trout, this is an easy rod to handle. Feedback is superb and the flex profile ideal for casts both short and long. In action, the Classic R8 490-4 falls between the former Trout LL 490-4 and the Winston Pure 2 9’ 4-weight. It offers more feel than the Trout LL, more “touchy” and with a more lively blank. It has a distinct personality, but not so specialized as to require a long learning ramp.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   The Sage Classic R8 490/4 is a very fun dry fly stick. It isn’t quite as stiff as the Trout LL 490/4 but can still handle a little wind on the water. It is a very smooth casting rod and has great feel. This rod really shines at distance and holds a nice tight loop with the right line. It can be a little tricky to get the rod going in close with a traditional dry fly taper fly line, but once you get enough of the fly line head out, the rod really starts to come alive. I played around with several different fly lines on this rod and surprisingly enough my personal favorite is the SA Amplitude Infinity WF4F. This line loads well in close and holds a beautiful loop at distance.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 4 out of 5

   Flagship model of the Classic R8 series, the 490 lives up to its name. Featuring a classically styled action and aesthetic, the brown blank and beige trim wraps and screen printing harken back to the old “brownie” rods. The R8 Classic 490 is purposefully built with a progressive action and a taper suited for a slower, more methodical pace. This rod is a tool built for the discerning dry fly angler who operates with a higher level of thought regarding their fly casting and fishing. If you’re a Sage dry fly rod fan, you probably remember the Circa 489 and you are certainly familiar with this rod’s predecessor the Trout LL 490. In my mind, the Classic R8 490 lies in the middle ground between these rods. The Trout LL is a little quicker and lighter in the tip, more of a moderate-fast rod. The Circa was slimmer in the blank, more dense feeling but possessed a very even flexing action with a deep bend, surprising snap and a ton of touch. The Classic R8’s action resembles that of the Circa, but with more substance in the butt section and a less dense feeling overall. You really focus on the bend while casting the R8 Classic 490. Focused timing, a patient casting stroke and a thoughtful, unhurried presentation are necessary.

   A Rio Technical Trout is good but requires perfection to hit the load window just right every time. A little wind exacerbates this effect, but this is not the 490 made to drive into the wind, an R8 Core or Igniter are better tools for the windy tasks. Of the lines I cast, I preferred the slightly weighted lines over the long, light dry fly lines I presumed I would have a penchant for. The Rio Gold, the new Rio XP and the SA Infinity opened up the rod a little and engaged the tip in a manner that was more to my liking. These are my initial impressions and I would not be surprised if my opinion on lines evolves as I fish this rod more. For the angler looking for a modern fly rod, but an action that prefers a more mellowed pace and approach to trout fishing, go check one out. I bet it sends you to looking for your favorite fishing hat and some select dry flies.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)