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Sage has long been known for building fast-action fly rods with broad versatility and power. But with the release of the Classic R8, they’ve added a thoughtful chapter to their ongoing exploration of moderate-action, dry fly-focused tapers. This series represents a refinement of Sage’s more presentation-oriented offerings - rods built for anglers who value touch, loop control, and a slower, more deliberate casting rhythm. Across the lineup, the Classic R8 rods flex deeper and offer more feedback than the Trout LL, with a slightly quicker recovery than the Circa. While the series is clearly designed with dry fly purists in mind, each model has its own strengths, quirks, and ideal use cases. In this review, we break down each rod individually to help you understand where it shines, which lines pair best, and how it stacks up against its siblings in the lineup.

8' 3wt

The 8' 3wt is a phenomenal little creeker that I could cast all day. It's one of the quickest rods in the series, making it a great fit for anglers with a naturally faster casting stroke. Paired with a Rio Technical Trout, it hits its stride at 30–40 feet, delivering precise yet delicate presentations with ease. For those who prefer a slower tempo or are casting in tight quarters, the Rio Creek line was also a great match. If you're after a lightweight small-stream rod with enough versatility to throw dries in a range of conditions, this is the one.

Lines: Rio Technical Trout Elite, Rio Creek Premier

Best Uses: Small stream trout, dry flies, light terrestrials, breezy days, faster casting strokes

8'6” 3wt

Not all 3wts are equal, and that’s never been more obvious than when comparing the 863 Classic R8 to its shorter sibling. Unlike the 8-footer, this rod is slower, more soulful, and a bit pickier about casting tempo. It features a soft tip that demands a slow, methodical cadence to unlock its full potential. If you apply too much power, you’ll feel a hinge just below the tip - a gentle reminder to take a deep breath and slow down. The Rio Technical Trout is a great match for dry fly purists who enjoy a slower-paced, intentional casting rhythm. That said, the SA Trout taper is likely a better fit for most anglers - its longer and lighter head is more forgiving to a moderate stroke. I’d reach for this rod to dissect a seam on Silver Creek or the Henry’s Fork with a long leader and a size 20 dry. It’s a fantastic rod, so long as you’re willing to play by its rules.

Lines: SA Amplitude Trout, Rio Technical Trout Elite

Best Uses: Light tippet dry fly work, spring creeks, technical water, long leaders, slow casting strokes

8'6” 4wt

The softest model in the series, the 8'6" 4wt has a narrow sweet spot when it comes to fly lines, casting tempo, and ideal use cases. We were surprised that Rio Technical Trout wasn’t a great match here, especially since most other rods in the lineup paired well with it. With Tech Trout, a hinge point just below the tip was tough to eliminate, even with a deliberately slow casting stroke. A lighter line like SA Amplitude Trout improves the feel, but only in dead-calm conditions; wind is this model’s kryptonite. A better pairing is Rio Gold, which adds enough mass to engage the midsection and smooth out the flex. The added weight also makes this rod a capable tool for tossing larger dries or dry-droppers at short to medium distances. Reach for this one when you’re fishing pocket water or headhunting aggressive risers at dusk.

Lines: SA Amplitude Trout, Rio Gold Elite

Best Uses: Dry-droppers, pocket water, short to mid-range casts

9' 4wt

Although the Classic R8 series is primarily designed for dry fly applications, the 904 represents a slight departure from the rest of the lineup. This rod’s length, combined with its deeper flex, makes it a great tool for light nymphing and dry-dropper setups. Like the 864, it prefers the additional mass of a Rio Gold to avoid the awkward hinge feeling you get with lighter lines. With a weighted dropper or a small split shot, the rod bends crisply into the midsection and unloads smoothly and accurately to the target. Tailwater anglers will appreciate the 904’s ability to mend and control line, along with its excellent tippet protection. I’d choose this rod for my home water - Colorado’s Taylor River C&R section - or any pressured water where long leaders, small droppers, and delicacy are key. Like most rods in this series, the 904 requires a slower casting stroke, but rewards you with tons of feel and a more relaxed pace of fishing.

Lines: Rio Gold Elite

Best Uses: Tailwater dry-dropper &  light nymphing

8’6” 5wt

One of the most versatile rods in the series, the 865 is incredibly light, springy, and accurate with Rio Technical Trout, while still offering plenty of feel for soft presentations. This rod bridges the gap between the snappy 803 and the slower mid-length models, making it well-suited to a wider range of casting strokes and fishing scenarios. I’d pick this rod for wading smaller freestones with hoppers, light droppers, or even small streamers. If you’re looking for a dry-fly-focused 5wt that emphasizes accuracy but doesn’t feel sluggish, this is a fantastic option.

Lines: Rio Technical Trout Elite, SA Amplitude Trout

Best Uses: Small to medium rivers, wade fishing, dry flies, hoppers, small streamers, all-around light-duty trout rod

9’ 5wt

The 9' 5wt sets the tone for any trout rod series, and that’s certainly the case with the 905 Classic R8. This rod is an exceptional dry fly scalpel, but it requires patience. Pushing it too fast results in hinging and power loss. Slowed down, especially when paired with Rio Technical Trout, the rod exudes soul and feel. I especially liked it at the key trout distances of 30–45 feet, where it felt effortless, light, and supremely accurate with a long leader and a relaxed stroke. Like the 865, this 9-footer is a solid all-arounder for light-duty trout fishing, though it leans more into long leaders, small flies, and refined line control and mending. If I were choosing based purely on soulful feel, I’d pick the 905. But if you often deal with breezy conditions or naturally cast with a quicker stroke, the 865 is probably the better fit. Overall, Sage delivers on their tagline - “Fish Slow, Feel More” - with this sweetheart of a 9' 5wt.

Read our full review of the 905, HERE

Lines: Rio Technical Trout Elite, SA Amplitude Trout

Best Uses: All-purpose dry fly fishing, long leaders, technical presentations, tippet protection, slower casting stroke

9’ 6wt

Coming Soon.

Favorite Rod:

The standout rod in the Classic R8 series for me was the 8' 3wt. It’s quick, light, and intuitive - one of those rods that feels effortless from the first cast. While much of the series favors a slower, more deliberate tempo, the 803 brings a touch of classic Sage crispness without sacrificing feel or finesse. It excels in small-stream situations, delivers tight loops with precision, and has enough backbone to handle light wind or small terrestrials. Paired with Rio Technical Trout, it really comes alive at 30–40 feet but still loads comfortably in close.

Ben’s favorite was the 8’6” 5wt, and it’s easy to see why. It shares some of the same springy, responsive qualities as the 803 but in a more universal 5wt package. It casts beautifully with long-headed dry fly lines, satisfies the purists with its touch and control, and still has the versatility to fish hoppers, dry-droppers, and even small streamers. If you're looking for one rod that bridges the gap between finesse and general-purpose trout fishing, the 865 is a very strong choice.

Buy it with free shipping HERE

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