Sage ZXL 590-4 Fly Rod Review

Company ProfileSage was founded in 1979 by Don Green, an experienced rod blank builder and one of the architects of the modern fishing rod, as owner of the Grizzly Fiberglass Company, which later partnered with Fenwick. It was originally called Winslow Manufacturing (after the city of Winslow on Bainbridge Island, Washington) but within a year had changed its name to Sage. Emphasizing high quality fly rods sold only through specialty stores, Sage rode the crest of the fly-fishing boom in the post A River Runs Through It years.

Today, although there is no industry repository for exact numbers, Sage is probably the worlds largest producer of premium fly rods and employs over 100 workers in their manufacturing facility.

Whats the Word?

Sage. Here from Merriam-Websters online dictionary: Sage adjective. Middle English, from Anglo-French: proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment synonyms see wise

Specifications Line Weight: 5 Length: 9 Ft. Sections: 4 pieces Weight: 3 5/16 oz. Grip: Western-Portuguese cork Reel Seat: Up-locking nickel silver w/ rosewood insert Action: Medium w/ high line speed Construction: G5 (generation 5) graphite technology Blank Color: Pomegranate Tube Size: 30 in. aluminum of matching color Retail Price: $675.00

FeaturesThe 9 foot fly rod for a 5 weight line is generally considered to be the best all around fly rod for trout fishing, especially out here in the west with our wide variety of waters, and the ZXL 590 is no exception, especially with the unique blend of power and finesse afforded to it by Sages state of the art G5 technology which is matched to a more progressively graded taper that runs a strong powerful butt section rather quickly into a surprisingly sensitive tip, which makes for quite a whippy little rod with excellent responsiveness.

Materials/ConstructionThe Boron II-MX is the third fly rod series to use the Boron II and in my opinion it is the best, but then again I love saltwater fly fishing. I decided Id give the 10weight 9-footer a go while tarpon in the Keys, one word, IMPRESSIVE

Fit and FinishThe Sage ZXL 590 bears components and a finish to match its sophisticated and refined character. Not too much bling bling, no overabundance of gold jewelry components here, like you may see on the gaudy Cadillac super rods of other current manufacturers.

The appearance of the ZXL is subtly understated but distinguished and aesthetically pleasing, with a blank of a deep Pomegranate color finished with four pairs of fine gold wraps in the Butt section.

ActionI found the ZXL to be nothing short of amazing at medium distances, which coincidentally, are where most of my trout seem to be caught anyways. It throws an extremely tight loop at an impressive line speed almost effortlessly between 15 and 40 feet, with a buttery smooth transfer of power and excellent tracking.

Reliability/DurabilitySage has built a reputation of quality and I see no reason why it shouldnt extend to the new ZXL and Z-Axis, series, even if they are lighter. Lighter does NOT mean weaker in this case. If anything, these rods are stronger. The Epoxy resin saturates and fuses the graphite to graphite better than it did with the traditional graphite to fiberglass scrim process.

CONTACT USLeland Fly Fishing Outfitters is a full-service fly shop that has provided anglers in the Bay Area and Sonoma Valley with top quality education and gear since 1985.

BY PHONE(866) 672-1959 (Toll-free: M-F 9am-5pm PST) International callers, use 415 number below (415) 781-3474(Fly Shop, Sonoma, CA) (707) 939-6910 (Fly Fishing Ranch, Sonoma, CA) BY EMAILservice@FlyFishingOutfitters.com 707-939-691024120 Arnold Drive/Highway 121 Sonoma, CA 95476 Phone: (707) 939-6910