Sage Spey II Fly Reel Review

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Sage has been making big strides over the past few years with their reel designs, and the new Sage Spey II fly reel is no exception. Like other revamped models, the Spey II features a host of valuable upgrades like a bomber sealed drag and intuitive ergonomics. For anglers who live to chase anadromous species from Steelhead and Pacific Salmon to powerful Atlantics and even Striped Bass, the Sage Spey II offers a stout, functional package. Check out our full review below to learn more about the newest iteration of the Sage Spey fly reel and why it might be the right choice for your spey fishing adventures this season.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Incredibly powerful sealed carbon disc drag
• Comfortable, intuitive ergonomics
• Feels more rugged and higher quality than the original Spey reel

Cons

• Expensive for an overseas-built reel
• Not the best retrieval performance
• Hushed drag click

Who It’s For

The new Sage Spey II fly reel is designed for anglers who like a blend of classic spey reel aesthetics and more weight with modern drag performance and comfortable ergonomics. Its fully-sealed carbon disc drag has enough power to slow down an adult Tarpon. It’s overkill for even the hottest Salmon or Steelhead - good news for trophy hunters who seek out migratory giants on a swung fly. Although the price is high for a Korean-made product, many Sage fans will see value in the strong drag and thoughtful design of the Spey II.

Weight

The 6/7/8 size Spey II weighs in at 10.5 ounces, which is fairly heavy by today’s standards. For comparison, the Orvis SSR Disc weighs 9 ounces, and the Hardy Cascepedia weighs a mere 8.4 ounces. That being said, there are plenty of anglers who prefer some additional heft to help balance out longer 13-foot-plus spey rods.

Drag

The most impressive feature of the Sage Spey II is its anchor-like drag strength. This completely sealed carbon disc drag offers enough stopping power to put the brakes on anything from fresh King Salmon and hot Steelhead to big Striped Bass in the New England surf. Moreover, this bulldog-tough drag is also silky smooth, meaning you can confidently fish light tippets to large fish without fear of jerky, inconsistent drag pressure.

Sound

If you’ve read our reel reviews before, you know we like an audible drag click, especially for spey reels which are inspired by a rich history. Unfortunately, the Sage Spey II is quite muted. Its click, which might blend into the powerful sound of a large river like the Skeena, simply fails to assert itself. It’s too bad, especially considering other Sage reels like the Enforcer offer a fantastic drag click that’s easily twice as loud as the Spey II.

Spool & Cage Design

The spool and cage design on the Spey II aren’t going to blow anyone away with extremely performance, but they’re adequate for most Spey fishermen who require solid backing capacity, reasonable line pickup, and a closed cage for thin running lines. The size 6/7/8 features a maximum spool diameter of 3.9”, a width of 1.3”, and an arbor diameter of 2.2”. You’ll pick up about 9.5” of line with each turn which is about average for a 7wt Spey reel.

Looks & Ergonomics

Few reel manufacturers can hold a candle to the ergonomics of Sage, and the Spey II confirms this claim. We love the big, grippy drag knob which features numbered notches for precise tuning. This is a single-turn drag which many anglers love for its consistency and simplicity. The reel handle is also big, albeit fairly basic but it works just fine. The spool is easy to remove by simply unscrewing the spool cap.

Aesthetically, the new Spey II is a solid-looking fly reel. It is available in three fully anodized colors: black, bronze, and granite, of which the bronze looks particularly sharp. It is minimally ported for a classic look, which certainly contributes to its additional weight. Overall, it isn’t a head-turner, but it looks handsome and stout.

Warranty

Sage Fly Reel Warranty

Value

Price: $550.00

We’re big fans of the new Sage Spey II reel, but we can’t help but wonder if $550 is overpriced for what you’re getting. On one hand, the drag and ergonomic design of the reel are fantastic - features that hardcore two-handed anglers will certainly appreciate. On the other hand, another couple hundred dollars can buy you a premium USA-made reel like a Hatch Iconic or a Nautilus CCF-X2. All things considered, the Spey II’s thoughtful design features like its full-cage frame and minimal porting contribute greatly to its value proposition. If you want a USA-made product to flex at the lodge, pick a Hatch or a Nautilus. If you want a purpose-built tool with a great drag and a full cage, pick the Sage Spey II.

Conclusion

We’ve been impressed with Sage’s reel designs over the past several years, and the Sage Spey II fly reel is another winner for the right angler. Its heavy-duty drag and effortless ergonomics are just as good as any premium reel on the market. And while we wish it had a more lively click, its full-cage frame and added heft are likely more important features to passionate Steelheaders who need a reliable tool day after day. For spey enthusiasts who aren’t deterred by a higher-than-average price tag, the Sage Spey II is a solid option for your swinging pursuits in 2024.

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