Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Review

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The R8 Core is Sage's latest all-water flagship series, which replaces the successful X series after over a half-decade on the market. The buzz around this rod has been HUGE, even by Sage's standards. There are good reasons for this: Sage has constantly pushed the envelope regarding rod design and graphite technology. The R8 may be hotter than sliced bread but has Sage reinvented the wheel? If you want to know if the wizards from Bainbridge Island, Washington, have crafted another classic 5wt, read on.

Outfit

Sage R8 Core 9' 5wt Fly Rod

Rio Gold Elite Fly Line

Fit & Finish

Most anglers will pick the R8 up and immediately feel comfortable thanks to Sage's signature snub-nose, half-wells grip with premium cork. The down-locking reel seat looks bombproof, and the laser-etched numerical engraving means you won't grab the wrong rod out of the truck. Sage opted for the more traditional ceramic stripping guides with hard chromed snake guides instead of recoil guides that are becoming more common on high-end freshwater rods.

Sage didn't get too carried away with the R8's aesthetics. We are surprised that the blank color described as 'Silver Pine' looks similar to the X. However, the grey and white thread wrappings complement the blank's greenish tint nicely. The R8 might not jump off the rod rack, but this isn't necessarily terrible after witnessing the marketing gimmicks disguised as fly rods these past few years.

Weight

Coming in at 2.75 ounces with a swing weight of 62gm^2, the R8 is not the lightest 5wt on the market but is hardly the worst offender.

Distance

The R8 certainly does not have the Igniter's ability to generate high line speed, but the rod is no slouch either. The average caster can expect to carry a light trout line a reasonable distance with the R8. You can't ask a 5wt trout rod for more than that.

Accuracy

• 30-feet: The R8's taper design allows the caster to feel the rod load with little line out. This translates to better overall performance at shorter distances. Although we've cast better rods at this range, it is hard to find many faults here.
• 45-feet: The story is pretty similar at middle distances: The R8 is a consistent performer and a joy to cast. Again, it is not the most accurate rod we've tested, but the R8 is certainly up there. The average angler should have little issue sniping heads on the Missouri with the R8 in hand.
• 60-feet: When we stepped back to the periphery of trout distances, the R8 still didn't fold! Throwing effortless loops became automatic once we found our rhythm.

Flex & Feel

The R8's moderate-fast action is a nice change of pace for Sage, but do not be fooled into thinking the R8 is a dedicated dry fly specialist. After all, Sage intended the R8 to be a high-performance machine with a blank made from cutting-edge technology. Sure, the R8 has the subtleness needed to drop a size 18 Adams at close range and protect 6X tippet while fighting aggressive fish. However, the R8 enjoys a more extensive fishing range than most softer rods and has plenty of power to turn over larger flies.

Another benefit is that the R8's taper is better suited to a lighter RIO Gold than a heavier line. Anglers can expect a better presentation with less grain weight outside the guides. You might have to slow down your casting stroke, but once you dig deeper to reach the sweet spot, the R8 comes to life with the Gold.

Warranty

Lifetime

Conclusion

Sage has always been at the forefront of pushing the envelope of fly rod designs, and they have hit the mark again. With the R8, Sage has made great strides in crafting a trout rod that is a true all-around performer. The R8 possesses an almost chameleon-like ability to switch from a delicate dry fly rod to a powerhouse workhorse. Sage's rod designers have built their most complete 5wt and one of the top rods, period.

Pros

• All-around performance
• Rare combo of power, speed, and feel

Cons

• Loses points on accuracy
• Bland componentry