I’ve always been fascinated with Sage trout rods and stumbled across an article created by Harri Johansson at www.theflyfishingforum.com that has a complete Sage fly rod model history and thought I would share here.
Enjoy!
Origins and Founding:
Sage, a prominent name in the fishing industry, was established in 1980 in Bainbridge Island, Washington, by renowned rod designer Don Green. With a passion for fishing and a desire to craft high-performance rods, Green set out to redefine the standards of fly fishing equipment. Sage Trout Fishing rods quickly gained recognition for their superior quality and performance, setting the stage for a legacy that would endure for decades to come.
Sage Trout Rod Model History
| YEARS | MODEL | DESCRIPTION | GENERATION TECH | ACTION |
| 1979-1980 | GFL | Under Winslow brand, B790GFL for example | GI | M/F |
| 1980-1989 | GFL | GFL (Graphite Fly Rod). Not really a model name – but design used with other model names. | GI | M/F |
| 1981-1983 | SFL | Sage’s first fiberglass rod. Hi-modulus fibreglass. | F/G | M/F |
| 1983-1989 | RP | RP Reserve Power for long Casts Graphite II (original IM6). First larger rod series from Sage. | GII | Mod |
| 1986-1987 | Beginner | Entry level rod with low modulus graphite, 9′ 6-7wt | GI | |
| 1987-1990 | LL | LL Traditional Action 2-5 Weight (LL=Light line) Graphite II | GII | M |
| 1988-1989 | MA | MA Medium Action Entry level unsanded grey rod with simple hardware | GI | M |
| 1988-1989 | EC | ? | GI | |
| 1989-1991 | DS | DS Discovery Series – Moderate Action Replaced the RP | GI | Mod |
| 1989-1997 | RPL | RPL or Reserve Performance Light (carbon fibre scrim) | GIII | M/F |
| 1989-1997 | RPLX | RPLX Saltwater 8-12 Weight. Stiff rod. | GIII | F |
| 1990-1990 | Anniversary | Sage 10th anniversary model, 8’9″ 7wt 2pc rod, numbered series of 300, bundled with Billy Pate reel | GIII | |
| 1991-1997 | Youth | DS Youth, Entry level rod with no mention of “Youth” model name in the rod just “Graphite”, bundled with a reel+line | GI | F |
| 1991-1998 | DS | DS Discovery Series – Moderate Action Replaced the RP, switch to GII from 1991 on for all DS models | GII | Mod |
| 1991-1999 | LL | LL with Graphite III tech | GIII | M |
| 1993-2001 | SP | SP Generation IV Graphite with Durascrim (5pc variant 1999-2001) | GIV | M/F |
| 1995-1998 | SP+ | SP+ Generation IV Graphite with Durascrim. Heaps stiffer than SP, forerunner to TCR. | GIV | F |
| 1995-2000 | RPL+ | RPL+ Faster than the RPL. Would be considered moderately fast by todays standards | GIII | Mod/F |
| 1997-2001 | SPL | SPL “Best of show” new rods. Smooth tip, relaxed casting, moderate butt. | GIV | M |
| 1997-2001 | SPL CA | Center Axis version of the SPL with integrated Sage/Lamson 3100 reel | GIV | M |
| 1998-2003 | RPLxi | RPLxi Revised and improved saltwater (less stiff -loads quicker) | GIII | M/F |
| 1998-2005 | VPS | Versatile Performance Series. Reincarnation of the RPL with same taper and lesser components | GIII | M/F |
| 1999-2004 | DS2 | DS2 Lower Price point Graphite II | GII | M/F |
| 2000-2006 | XP | XP Lighter narrower tapered Fast Action. New flagship. | GIIIe | F |
| 2001-2005 | VPS Light | Reincranation of the LL Gen III with lesser components | GIII | M |
| 2002-2007 | SLT | SLT Medium Fast Action. Relaxed casting action. Replaces SP. | GIIIe | M/F |
| 2002-2008 | TCR | TCR (Technical Casting Rod) Ultra fast action for experienced casters | GIIIe | U/F |
| 2003-2004 | SLT CA | Center Axis version of the SLT with integrated Sage/Lamson 3300 reel | GIIIe | M/F |
| 2003-2004 | LE | Entry Price Point Graphite Rod | GI | M/F |
| 2004-2009 | Xi2 | Xi2 New Saltwater rod was first with new generation 5 (G5) Technology | G5 | F |
| 2005-2008 | Fli | Fli Entry Level Fast Action taper with maximum power transfer | G5 | F |
| 2005-2009 | Launch | Launch Entry Level smooth progressive power curve and very high strength to weight ratio | G5 | M |
| 2005-2010 | TXL | TXL Near weightless for light lines | G5 | M/F |
| 2006-2010 | VT2 | VT2 Mid price point upgrade to long running VPS. Workhorse. No Graphite Gen-reference in the rod. | M/F | |
| 2007-2011 | Z-Axis | Ultimate Fast Action Rod coupled with tremendous feel (2 piece, 4 piece, Spey and Switch). New flagship. | G5 | F |
| 2008-2011 | Bass | Finally released after years of development. Target Bass even Snook, Baby Tarpon and Pike | F | |
| 2008-2012 | ZXL | Medum action Cousin to the Z-Axis in weights 3-6. Relaxed, classic action rod. | G5 | M |
| 2009-2012 | TCX | Replacement for TCR but fitting a wider range of casting styles (kryptonite green) | G5 | U/F |
| 2009-2012 | Flight | Flight Great features and a great price. Replaces Fli. | G5 | F |
| 2010-2012 | Vantage | Vantage Medium Fast value rod. Average performance. | G5 | M/F |
| 2010-2012 | 99Nymph | 99 Nymph angler 9’9″ with unique taper to make open loops. Soft mid, stiff tip. | G5 | M/F |
| 2010-2013 | Xi3 | Xi3 Salt Water Replacement for Xi2 | G5 | F |
| 2011-2014 | TXL-F | TXL-F Light Line Ultra lightweight rod.Short distance only, accurate dry fly. | G5 | M/F |
| 2011-2014 | VXP | VXP Ultra high speed line and slender shaft , from beginner to experienced | GIIIe | U/F |
| 2011-2016 | ESN | ESN v1 Designed for european direct line nymphing with multiple flies | Konnetic | M |
| 2012-2016 | ONE | “All-around” rod Fast Action. New flagship. | Konnetic | F |
| 2012-2016 | Circa | Heightened sensitivity technical presentation, trout rod. Best fished short range, light lines and flies. | Konnetic | S |
| 2012-2017 | Approach | Sage calls the Approach a rod beginning casters can grow with. Good value. Replaced Vantage. | GIII | M/F |
| 2012-2019 | Bass II | BASS II Upgraded for faster line speeds for big flies. Target Bass, Snook, or Tarpon, Pike and Musky | GIIIe | F |
| 2013-2014 | Response | Replaces Flight. Entry level. Average feel. | GIIIe | F |
| 2013-2018 | Method | Quick rod. Replaces TCX, (but feels softer) 40-80ft good acuracy. Not for close in action. | Konnetic | U/F |
| 2013-2019 | Motive | The Motive is fast – maybe faster than the Xi3. Has a pretty stiff tip and mid-section, good feedback. | GIIIe | F |
| 2013-2019 | Pike/Mus | Look like Bass II but longer at 9ft – Specialty rod Pike 10wt, Musky 11wt. | G5 | F |
| 2014-2017 | Salt | Good accuracy. 50′ best distance. At 70′ have to work a little harder than a faster rod. | Konnetic | M/F |
| 2014-2018 | Accel | Light swing weight, moderate flex. Replaces VXP. Accurate 30-50ft. Great for dry fly trout fishing | G5 | M/F |
| 2015-2018 | Bolt | Feels like a Sage TCX , great distance, tight loops, needs a quick short casting stroke. | GIIIe | U/F |
| 2015-2018 | Little One | Fast action small creek rod. Super lightweight with laser beam accuracy. | Konnetic | M/F |
| 2015-2019 | Mod | Great for short-to-middle distances. Medium action rod with medium recovery speed, nice soft tip. | Konnetic | Mod |
| 2015-2021 | Pulse | Good progressive action.Reasonably accurate, All Water rod. | GIIIe | M/F |
| 2015-2021 | Pulse ESN | 10ft Pulse, Designed for tight line nymphing, but more versatile river rod. | GIIIe | M |
| 2016-2017 | Grace | Pink rod+reel+line special edition bundle for “Casting for Recovery” non-profit | GIIIe | F |
| 2016-2022 | X | Fast-soft action fly rod, tighter loops, better accuracy, efficiency, and line control. New Flagship. | KonneticHD | F |
| 2017- | ESN | ESN v2 For tight line nymphing | KonneticHD | M |
| 2017- | Foundation | Slightly whippy upper-quarter, Value rod. Fast-action rod built for diverse fishing conditions. | GIIIe | F |
| 2017-2022 | Salt HD | Fast, loads deep in the blank. Greater lift and fish pulling power, light and stable accurate casts. | KonneticHD | F |
| 2018- | Igniter | Efficient fast loading casts. Tight loops. Handles long belly lines well. | KonneticHD | U/F |
| 2018- | Dart | Matches Rio Creek Line well, 3pc, accurate twiggy rod. | KonneticHD | F |
| 2019- | Trout LL | Legacy reborn. Delicate touch, smooth easy feedback. Fly Anglers kryptonite at close range. | KonneticHD | M |
| 2020- | Sonic | Action between X and LL. Easy to cast. | Konnetic | M/F |
| 2020- | Payload | Fast action, softer butt, strong mid, powerful tip. Made to lift a heavy setup and fire quickly. | Konnetic | F |
| 2020- | Maverick | Value SW rod. Fast-Med-fast feel. Easier casting action. Ideal for those normal 30–50 foot casts. | Konnetic | F |
| 2021- | Sense | Euro Nymphing action combines soft tip to enhance precision then transitions into a more stout butt | G5 | M |
| 2022- | R8 Core | The new technology Flagship | Revolution8 | F |
| 2023- | Salt R8 | Replacement for Salt HD | Revolution8 | F |