I just got back from the Fly Dealers Tackle Show...where to start?
How about with Sage. One of the show high lights was the new Sage TCR( for "technical casting rod"). Any one else sick of rods with names like "Tech 2000 XL Tii"? Any way, the rod comes in two 9" 4pc. models. A five and an eight. This rod is supposed to be for"advanced casters only". Sage has been sweetening up their rods the last few years, replacing clubs like the RPLX and RPL+. Both the XP and RPLXi are eazy loading, fast action rods with realtively soft tips. Excellent fishing rods, but in the parking lot war, they where easily beaten.
When I asked Jerry Seim(Sage's rod designer) what he was thinking, he said," I wanted to make a rod that would be challenging to cast and as the caster gets better, there is always something more."
Many had said that this would be sort of like an SP+ redux, but I can report that this rod is every bit as fast, and much more sensitive than the old green monster, which I think feels a little dead. The tip of the TCR is flexes more than many so called "fast" rods, but the flex pattern is balanced in such a way that it doesn't collapse when pushed. I was surprised at how well it roll casts. Again,unlike some super fast rods. Although this rod needs a full 30' of line befor it starts to feel sweet it never feels vague. Words that come to my mind when I cast this rod are, "possitive", "direct", and "charged up". I should say that both the five weight and the eight felt very similar(consistant).
So, how much? Around $750. I asked why so much and was told that beyond the finer grade of cork, and nicer bling blings, the actual lay up of the prepreg carbon fiber is much more exacting, with many patches of the cloth placed through out the blank.
So, how does it fish? I don't know. I can't wait to find out.
On the other side of the railroad tracks is a new "price point" rod. It will cost about $180. For the money it casts well, and doesn't look too bad. I asked Jerry how they design "cheapness" into a rod, and aside from components, he said that the taper was simpler and less complicated to build.
More later...
How about with Sage. One of the show high lights was the new Sage TCR( for "technical casting rod"). Any one else sick of rods with names like "Tech 2000 XL Tii"? Any way, the rod comes in two 9" 4pc. models. A five and an eight. This rod is supposed to be for"advanced casters only". Sage has been sweetening up their rods the last few years, replacing clubs like the RPLX and RPL+. Both the XP and RPLXi are eazy loading, fast action rods with realtively soft tips. Excellent fishing rods, but in the parking lot war, they where easily beaten.
When I asked Jerry Seim(Sage's rod designer) what he was thinking, he said," I wanted to make a rod that would be challenging to cast and as the caster gets better, there is always something more."
Many had said that this would be sort of like an SP+ redux, but I can report that this rod is every bit as fast, and much more sensitive than the old green monster, which I think feels a little dead. The tip of the TCR is flexes more than many so called "fast" rods, but the flex pattern is balanced in such a way that it doesn't collapse when pushed. I was surprised at how well it roll casts. Again,unlike some super fast rods. Although this rod needs a full 30' of line befor it starts to feel sweet it never feels vague. Words that come to my mind when I cast this rod are, "possitive", "direct", and "charged up". I should say that both the five weight and the eight felt very similar(consistant).
So, how much? Around $750. I asked why so much and was told that beyond the finer grade of cork, and nicer bling blings, the actual lay up of the prepreg carbon fiber is much more exacting, with many patches of the cloth placed through out the blank.
So, how does it fish? I don't know. I can't wait to find out.
On the other side of the railroad tracks is a new "price point" rod. It will cost about $180. For the money it casts well, and doesn't look too bad. I asked Jerry how they design "cheapness" into a rod, and aside from components, he said that the taper was simpler and less complicated to build.
More later...