Leland on the Sage 4550CF Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Sage's new 4550CF Drag Fly Reel, 5-6w handles
5 and 6-weight fly lines, while weighing an absurd 3 7/8 ounces so you'll never tire of tossing two weighted bunnies under your favorite cut bank! The 4550CF's extreme lightweight design is achieved by a full
carbon fiber spool and aggressively machined
aluminum frame. The 4550CF is equipped with a sealed single rotation, numbered graphite drag system with a beefy, but compact 3:1 gear ratio so you'll have confidence in your drag setting cast after cast. It's quite
versatile as well; spools from the 4500, 4500CF, and past 2500 Series are
interchangeable in its elegant frame. Your mind never tires of casting heavy flies to big fish, neither should your body.
Leland on Specifications
The perfect
big trout reel, it will balance extremely well with today's lightweight 5 and 6-weight trout rods. At an incredible 3 7/8 ounces in weight, this finely machined reel is 1 full ounce lighter than the 2500 Series it replaced. With the help of sophisticated computer design software, Sage's engineers have added a wildly innovative full
carbon fiber spool for increased rigidity and dropped weight. The drag system is constructed of a graphite and stainless steel washer assembly and is completely
sealed. Its 10 numbered drag settings are precise and repeatable so you'll have confidence each time a fish runs. It comes with a neoprene protective case that includes tough ballistic cloth in its construction and is compatible with 4500, 4500CF, and past 2500 Series spools.
Specifications:
- Line Weights: 5-6
- Line + Yards of Backing: WF-5-F + 100 #20
- Weight: 3 7/8 oz
- Machined Aircraft Aluminum frame
- Innovative carbon fiber spool for extreme lightness and durability
- Aluminum handle with rubber grip
- Large arbor for fast line pick up
- Simple no-tool left/right retrieve conversion
- Frame engineered with help of computer software to reduce weight and maximize rigidity
- 3:1 gear ratio for compact drag
- Sealed graphite drag system for optimal heat dissipation and durability
- 4500, 4500CF, and past 2500 Series spools are all interchangeable
- Single rotation drag knob with numbered settings
- Black or platinum finish
- Ballistic cloth and neoprene protective reel case
- Design: An extremely light high performance reel based on the wildly popular and award-winning 2500 Series from Sage
Leland on the Sage 2009 Reel Program
Sage, known as the top producer of world class fly rods, has made a serious push in fly reel design and manufacturing for the 2009 season. With an impressive line of 6 different reel series, fly anglers now have access to a fantastic selection of reels in all fishing categories and at all price points. With race car designs, heavy duty drag systems, and durable, yet lightweight frames and spools across the board, Sage has perfected the high performance fly reel.
Sage's Research and Development team is second to none and
their razor's edge in-house testing facility gives these accomplished
engineers the freedom to play with myriad designs throughout the
development process. Prior to production, a reel design is built, tested, re-tested, and tested again ...
on highly sophisticated computer software programs to streamline the
process and optimize materials science and strength to performance
ratios.
The 2009 Reel Program from Sage was centered on a tenacious desire to develop and deliver reels that live up to the Sage rod legacy. The new series of Sage Reels consists of a whopping 24 models, all designed with innovation and solid reliability in
mind. These reels have been tested hard both in the R&D lab by
Sage's own Materials Scientists and Engineers and in the field by
hard-working professional fly fishing guides.
The result is a cohesive group of top notch fly fishing reels to fit any angler's need.
Whether it's the sweet outgoing click of
a relatively simple yet robust CLICK series for your favorite Sierra
trout rod or a the tight repeatability of the monster sealed graphite
drag on a 6000D for your Florida Keys tarpon outfit, Sage fly reels
comfortably exceed the demands modern anglers put on their gear.
Leland on the Sage 4550CF Drag Fly Reel, 5-6wt
We all take care of our gear, but even the most careful angler knows that when it comes to rods, reels, waders, and fly lines, even with the best intentions, fly fishing equipment takes a beating. For years, R&D groups in the fly fishing industry have been looking for new ways to increase durability without compromising reliability while also balancing lightness with fishability. This may sound a bit like alchemy to you, but for 2009 with the 4500CF Reel Series Sage has found a way to turn lead to gold.
To be more precise, Sage has found a way to include the unmatched lightweight durability of carbon fiber into one of its most innovative reel series yet. The Sage 4550CF, 5-6wt reel is composed of a fully machined aluminum frame and a full carbon fiber spool. It's light enough to balance with today's high performance 5 and 6-weight fly rods and tough enough to put the brakes on hard driving steelhead, sea-run browns, and hefty trout! This reel is 1 full ounce lighter than the 2500 Series equivalent -- the 4500CF Series is based directly on the award-winning 2500 Series design -- but is durable enough to survive a fight with the biggest and most energetic fish in the river. In addition to the reduced weight of its carbon fiber spool and increased rigidity in its aluminum frame, the 4550CF is beautifully and aggressively ported by a precision machining process and sports either a black or platinum finish to last a lifetime. The sealed precision drag system is constructed of durable, heat dissipating graphite and stainless steel. It's elegant design is compact enough to maintain low profile and weight, but its beefy 3:1 gear ratio can slow down the biggest brown trout Big Sky country can produce.
Next time you decide to string up your 10-foot 6-weight and head out nymphing from a drift boat, reach for Sage's new 4550CF Drag Fly Reel, 5-6wt.
Leland on Sage
Sage has been as committed to performance and innovation as any fly rod manufacturer in the world.
Their dedication to research and development has produced some of the
finest fly fishing rods ever conceived. Models like the XP and RPLX
helped put Sage in a class reserved for only the best manufacturers.
And many argue models like the Xi2 and the Z-Axis have sent more than a few companies scurrying to catch up.
Sage, under the guise of company founder Don Green, has been pushing the envelope with state of the art materials from the moment the company opened it's doors in 1980. Sage was the first company to incorporate the use of IM6 (Graphite II)
graphite in their fly rods. Through out the years Sage's use of
graphite evolved, from graphite II and then to graphite III, and
finally graphite IV. Today, all their high-end rods contain Graphite IIIe, a blend of both graphite III and IV. To date, graphite IIIe has the highest strength to weight ratio on
the market. From the outset, the company's goal has been to create
rods that generate high line speeds. As thousands of Sage owners will
attest, the design of their rods enables the fisherman to have extraordinary line control. Casting a Sage fly rod means placing your fly where you want it, not where you hope it goes.
In 1994 Sage brought in Jerry Siem to take over rod development and design. Siem, a Minnesota native, has been responsible for the development of the XP, SLT and Xi2. These fly rods quickly found themselves on rivers, streams, and flats all over the world. They are characterized as exceptional casting rods that allow both the novice and the expert to enjoy them tremendously. With the advent of the TCR in 2003, then Xi2 in 2004 and now the Z-Axis, Jerry has raised the bar for what is known as "fast action rods". Sage has nine separate rod lines (excluding their impressive Spey rods), encompassing the spectrum of applications.
Located on Bainbridge Island Washington. Sage was once a company composed of less than ten people, and has now grown to over 130 employees.
All of the rods in the Sage line are manufactured under the same roof.
On average, it takes thirty-five days and over one hundred separate
hand steps to produce a single rod. All Sage fly rods come with an unconditional lifetime warranty.
Sage on Sage Fly Reels for 2009
You don't have to be a
rocket scientist to build a fly reel. But if you want to create the
finest, highest-performing new reels on the market, it certainly helps.
Meet Kurt Van Wyck, formerly of Rocket Research, where, among other things, he worked on grout breaking new starter system design for F-16 fighter jets. These days, Kurt brings his passion for innovation to Bainbridge Island and the somewhat more recreational world of fly fishing.
About four years ago, Kurt and our entire team of engineers and material science specialists discarded all traditional design conventions and dove into a complete rethinking of the modern fly reel.
The result? A new lineup of reels that spans the full range of fish, fly lines, and bank account sizes.
All designed with advanced, aerospace-grade 3-D modeling software. All
featuring a distinctive, minimalist design ethic. And all built with
the quality, performance, and fishability you expect from Sage.
In other words, maybe you do have to be a rocket scientist after all.
Sage on 4500 and 4500CF Series Reels
Based on the award-winning 2500 Series, our new 4500 reels are lighter, stronger, and better looking
-- if we do say so ourselves. The sophisticated, high-performance 3:1
geared graphite drag unit provides the kind of power and smoothness you'd expect from a large traditional drag system, only without the bulk or weight. It's also completely sealed from the elements and features a one-revolution adjustment knob for quick and accurate drag settings.
4500CF
Series reels share the same frame structure as the 4500, but are even
lighter and more durable, thanks to our amazing new carbon fiber spools. 4500CF reels also feature a distinctive finish, aluminum, o-ring handle and a significantly lower price.
4500 and 4500CF spools are interchangeable and also fit the original 2500 Series reels.
Sage on Sage
It all began over 20 years ago on a little island nestled in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains . . .
Founded in 1980 by legendary rod designer Don Green, Sage was created with one idea in mind - to build the world's finest performance fly rods.
Using world-class materials and years of experience gained while
working with Fenwick and Grizzly rod companies, Don revolutionized the
fly fishing world.
When Sage started business on Bainbridge Island it was first known as Winslow Rod Company, and although the name quickly changed to Sage, the location on Bainbridge Island is
still the same even today. Originally it had six employees and about
1,500 square feet of manufacturing space. Today it has grown to 130 employees working in a 30,000 square foot space.
At Sage, every piece of angling equipment we make is designed, tested and hand built with one goal in mind: Maximum fishability.
It's a term we came up with a few years back to describe the kind of
performance that helps you cast better, fish more effectively and have
more fun. In short, every Sage rod, reel and line is specifically
designed to help you make the most of your precious time on the water.
When you purchase something with the Sage name on it, you get a lot more than just a great product. You get access to the finest customer service in
the industry, including our famously fast turnaround on warranty
repairs, real person-to-person phone support on the Sage Techline and a
worldwide network of the best dealers in the business. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, we're here to help.
When
we say Sage products are made by and for anglers, we're not kidding.
From Team Sage and our Sage Advisory Staff to our industry-leading
guide program and active support of numerous angling and conservation
organizations, we feel fortunate to work and fish with some of the finest people around. Welcome to the community-it's a good one, and we're extremely proud to be a part of it.
Sage on Fly Fishing
Kids at Play Remember when you got so excited you couldn’t sleep the night before fishing? Or how your hands shook with anticipation trying to rig up? Or the hopes held in a morning’s thrilling first cast?
Of course, after a lifetime of fishing, it’s awfully easy to become jaded. Tales of huge fish in exotic destinations are
a long way from the kid who, fearing he’d sleep past dawn, lay on his
back in the tent, holding tennis shoes above his face. In the unlikely
event he should actually drift off, the shoes would bounce off his head
to wake him. And that was just to catch first light at the local
bluegill pond.
In the soul of every angler lives
the kind of fun we felt as kids. It’s what keeps our love for fishing
alive. A psychologist might say we’re harboring some kind of Peter Pan
complex, but for us, it’s what fly fishing is really all about. It
might also explain why people are always asking anglers when they plan
to “grow up.”
We feel the same kind of excitement about introducing our new Z-Axis rods.
We knew it wouldn’t be easy to replace our much-loved XP line, but
after spending the last three years in deep R&D, we are positively giddy about these rods. When the people who work here start fighting over who gets to fish the prototypes, well, you know you’re on to something.
We’d also like to introduce you to J.D. Love and Brian Horsley, who provide the kind of on-the-water-every-day input that’s essential to creating rods with maximum fishability.
J.D. and Brian are “serious” anglers, but even after decades of
guiding, both retain a kid’s excitement about fishing. Our kind of
people. Whether you last felt the anticipation that leads to sleepless
nights and shaking hands a week ago or a lifetime ago, may you
experience it again in the upcoming season. When are we going to grow
up...Hopefully never. See you out there."
