JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Fish it on the Colorado, not the San Miguel. Smashing rod for fishing floating flies with a long leader on small and medium sized trout streams. Constructed with G. Loomis Multi-taper Design, this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. The advancements in fly fishing rods have been wild since the 70s, so theres some skill and finesse required to get this rod to perform. Though this fly rod is targeted at freshwater fishermen, the 990-4actually took home the award for Best Saltwater Fly Rod at the 2022 IFTD Show. Outdated and tired Needlessly heavy. S. steveg47 Member. A typical wade-and-walk, small-stream, slow-action rod might be a 76 3-weight rod. We opted to have FBs or fighting butts on both rods. Wraps? If you continue to use this site we assume that you are okay with it. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You can really stand on it too, you dont have to, but the response of the rod encourages you to really drive the cast. This rod is not a power caster. The Gold really kicked up the line speed of this rod and felt very good from 20 feet out. "When should I use this rod?" The R8 Core 896 has a faster rod feel and produces higher line speed, giving the caster a more empowering feeling. Sage designed the R8 Core series to tackle the shortcomings of high-performance fly rods, such as roll casting, loop control, technical mends, and delicate presentations. Support us! , this rod is strong where it needs to be and light where it can be. All our users found both rods to be very light compared to other rods. This is a telescoping rod, meaning it collapses down into itself. Very light in hand but no weight inscribed on it. But the bigger the fish, the more backbone youll need. The SA Infinity Taper is a natural fit for this long 6-weight, but anglers who prefer a shooting style line such as the Rio Outbound will marvel at the distance this rod achieves. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It gets going right away with little line out the tip without the irritating hesitation of many fast action rods. A marvel of design, this rod succeeds the 597-4 X with equal casting capability but even greater control, most noticeable when throwing in the wind or horsing a nymph/indicator rig. Best Uses: This is a tremendous all-around 8wt. . In terms of taper and flex profile, there seem to be 2 groups of R8 Core fly rods: stiff-tipped and progressive. We are all bozos on this bus, and fly-fishing is just one little nook that we occupy sometimes. Really, the hope was to mimic the power of the Sector for big freshwater applications. Cast with a Rio Gold, it charges to life at around 30 feet. The 6wt is a multi-purpose rod that leans towards indicator or hopper dropper fishing out of a drift boat instead of heavy streamers. Ratings are explained in each category. The rod is matte and looks sleek. Scott G-Series GS 905/4 ? I think this rod gives you the best of both worlds, without sacrificing performance. The CORE's all-new graphite fibers, Sage says, results in significantly enhanced reactivity and sensitivity and shifts . Roll cast across the river. Kind of the same reason we don't directly compare a Porsche to Nissan Sentra. -John Duncan, No rod is this series surpasses the performance and feel of the 596-4. Scott Centric - Bigfork Anglers -John Duncan. Weight- The least subjective of all. Ten foot 5 weights have been getting better and better recently and there are some very good ones out there right now, but there is just something about the R8 5100 that grabbed me. Thanks. Its also identical between the 590s ( why I suspect Sage is not printing the rod weights on this new series ). Thank you for the excellent assessment and comparison of the R8 to your 690x tybo 11. I am after a 5 weight and tossing up between the Scott Centric and the Sage X. I've never owned a Scott or Sage. However, they can be brutal to transport. I own the sage r8 core 486. It needs the head length and weight of an SA Infinity Taper, Titan Long, Rio Grand or comparable fly line, but those are the lines we might expect to fish on rivers like the Gunnison and Deschutes where the 9 6-weight earns its place in the fly fishing world. There, fish like tarpon and marlin call for super-stout rods in the 10- to 16-weight range! Typo 11, thanks for your reply. The R8 Core is an insult at the price point. Fly fishing equipment reviews, practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction. We see this as both fly rods are accurate in capable hands. Its been out for a few years now, but I dont think this rods been given the credit its earned. My favorite line was the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF4F. It has a clean, classic look that is just cool. A slow-action rod is more flexible throughout to allow for short, accurate casts. Scott Centric Fly Rods | Model-by-Model Review - Telluride Angler The R8 796 cast the Rio Predator line well. The bulk of my rods are Burkheimers, and the Scotts mix into my quiver nicely. The draw of one-piece rods is both weight reduction and improved performance. The line really feels solid behind you. Feel free to click the rods that interest you below, or scroll through to see the entire lineup: Released in July 2021, the Orvis Helios 3 Blackout ($998) missed many of the best of lists for last year. This high-quality package is available with several different options to fit you and your home water. The Scott Centric fly rods are truly fast meets feel, taken to the next level. What 5 weight fly lines will you be casting with your new rod? I rarely fish 6-weights over 9 because they are too much for me to cast all day, but the benefits of extra length are undeniable on big water. Its just plain awesome with all three, which tells me that there is virtually no bad line choice for this rod. After casting the R8 Core 896-4 I was left thinking that Sage bumped up the power and made the rod feel as strong as it casts. Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Trident Fly Fishing. We just got our hands on the new Sage R8 Core Rod, and tested it right outside the shop. Appalachian anglers will find this length and weight combination particularly beneficial on overgrown freestones when a bit more backbone than a 4wt is called for, but a nine-footer is quarrelsome. That being said, this might not be the best rod for a beginner. From throwing size 18 Blue Wing Olives to running a Chubby Dropper or Indicator rig with split shot, the R8 Core is a great choice for the angler that likes to catch fish and isn't afraid to change tactics through the day. Fishing broad water with sinking lines comes naturally to the Centric 1006-4. All of the potential bases for "disgust" are prevalent throughout just about any market that is appealing to something other than actual need. And, of course, rod weight can go way up in the saltwater world. Anyone thinking that all they want is to have someone tell them how great their new rod (reel, or whatever) really needs to check their own biases. Copyright 2023 Telluride Angler 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435 1 (970) 728-3895 All rights reserved.Privacy PolicyWebsite by WEBDOGS. The R8 Core 796 is an ideal light surf rod for blind casting with shooting head style lines. Unsurprisingly, at first glance, the R8 Core has the quality weve all come to expect from a Sage product. This rod is more of an AK salmon rod than a large trout rod. That line really personified the line speed potential of this rod and made it feel lively and zippy through the guides. What reels are those fishing the Core 6wt using? The predatory freshwater angler who prefers an 8wt will love the makeup of the rod, too, and should handle reasonably large flies. The 8wt leans on the softer side of things, so wind on the flats could be an issue. It loads evenly and naturally, allowing the angler to dictate loop shape at any distance, equally suitable for floating and sinking lines, nymphs, dries and swing flies. This is one heck of a fly rod. Go to your local fly shop to see the entire lineup of each and go cast them. We asked three well-seasoned fly anglers who range in casting ability to perform this review. I did not feel like I wanted to fish a dry or dry dropper with this rod, but I do not believe that to be its purpose. Fish this rod with long dry fly leaders or as a late summer pocket water stick on rivers like our own San Miguel. Is the 9' 3wt really that bad of a rod? Options were NRX +, Centric and now R8 core in the same configuration. Lines: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, Rio Perception Fly Line, Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX. It seems sensitive to its line pairing, but I would unconditionally recommend the R8 490-4 with an SA Trout Taper. anyone think of a double blind test of this and other fly rods? GearJunkie Copyright 2013 2023. This is a vintage model in the Sage idiom of tippy and deliberate casting 9 3-weights. Versatility- We see this as the rods ability to be used in various fishing situations. This is a finely tuned fly rod. You cast it firm or sit back on it a little and the rod doesnt seem to mind, it just stays right with you. If I asked my pals in Washington what they throw for steelhead, theyd tell me a 96 7-weight rod is the most versatile. The Centric is decidedly a fast action rod; the G-Series more of a medium-fast. Every year, theres a new list of the best rods out there. 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. Like a child reaching out to grab his mothers waiting hand. I have benefited a lot from S&S's discourses on rods and fly fishing. High line speed, flat, stable loops are easily generated. A medium (or moderate) action will be stiffer throughout. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchases, so if this blog post helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, please support us by buying your gear from us. I found this rod to be clunky and bouncy with a Rio Gold, but the heavier and smoother Rio Predator seemed to pull through the wrinkles. Find the best five weight rods here. Our testers found both rods to be excellent fly rods and great additions to any fly anglers quiver. Rachelle Schrute has been writing about hunting, fishing, and conservation for several years, as well as being a wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. The Sage R8 Core fly rod family is labeled as "Fast Action". Sage R8 Core Fly Rod $ Sage Sonic Fly Rod 9ft 5wt $ 675.00. This setup is perfect for kids and adults who want to test the waters without investing a huge sum of money to do so. It excels in all the subtle techniques including roll casting, line mending, informal Spey casts and tippet protection. The R8 Core 796 is the perfect combination of power, confidence and ease of casting in a rod that can cover a wide variety of fishing styles. First Impressions: Sage R8 Core 9' 5 weight - Fin & Fire Fly Shop This could be due to the new generation material, the way the rod is balanced, or simply it could just be lighter. Gear Review: Sage R8 Core Series Fly Rods. These are not cookie cutter fly rods. And like the Helios, this makes for a helluva boat rod. Enjoy the rod! The Scott Centric Fly Rod is the most efficient rods Scott has ever created. All he wants to hear about is a Sage or a Scott on how well they cast, because he's either a lousey caster of just has the bucks to burn on an expensive rod. With all that said, lets get to it. I was able to get my hands on the R8 Core Series last month and get a feel for what these fast-action multiapplication rods have to offer. Yes, swing weight is what is critical with a rod. Granted, were talking about a rod that fishes completely different than our modern 9-foot 5-weights, so I get it. The 9 9wt is the clear winner. The classic fly rod that most people will have in their setup is a medium-action 9-foot 5-weight rod. I cast it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity Taper and Rio Predator, 3 of my favorite lines for 6-weight fishing. The Best New Fly Fishing Rods of 2022 | GearJunkie For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. With identical weight rods and the R8 feeling noticeably lighter than the X, it seems nearly certain that the weight savings, no matter how little, must critically be in the upper 3 sections, with the R8 having a slightly heavier butt section. You want shills, go on Instagram. nothing beats going into a shop and wagging some rodspre internet days, used to buy from The Fly Shop in Redding, swing by during road trips, they would encourage casting rods on the lawn next to the shop, could tell right away which rods worked best for personal styleJeff at The Flyfisher Place in Sisters offers the same on the side street where he is located.