|
Recommend
|
Tested |
|
Highlights
|
Review April 2010
We had three weeks to test the Series 99 fly rod from Sage. Our normal procedure is a minimum of 180 days. We broke our rule because that is all the time Sage would give us. We needed to fish this 7 wt. as much as time allowed and we did just that. The Series 99 is the newest addition to a long list of Sage rods. This is a 9’9” fast action, and was loaded with the new Rio line. I put in the hands of my son Chris who starts his fifth year as a guide on the Big Horn River. Without sounding verbose, Chris is no slouch put a rod in his hand and he will know in short order if it is any good.
The first test came on the Yellowstone River on the last day of March. Chris and Ryan Stefek threw streamers and caught a few good-sized Browns. Chris and Ryan both reported the rod loaded and pumped line out in a hurry. I fished the rod along with Jim Abel on the Big Horn River and both of us were impressed with distance. We fished nymphs with dropper and two number two split shot with strike indicator. If loaded properly you can shoot line forever. I am a lazy caster, which translates not waiting long enough on my back cast. I took my time and waited for the rod to load properly and every cast I was more impressed with my distance. We caught fish and the Sage performed like Sage does. All four testers had high praise for the Series 99 7 wt.
A day of multi-bug rigs, wind-resistant indicators and the requisite high-stick rod position can be enough to make your arm fall off before lunch. But the fact is, there simply isn’t a more reliable, effective technique for finding big fish. Which is why we created the 99.
Built with the same advanced G5 Technology as our Z-Axis rods, the most obvious nymph-specific feature of the 99 is its namesake 9-foot, 9-inch length, which makes short work of long, drag-free drifts. But that’s just the beginning. The 99’s unique taper loads lower on the blank to generate open loops, helping avoid tangles with multiple fly and indicator rigs. At the same time, a stiffer tip section handles heavy payload delivery but retains the sensitivity needed to detect subtle takes.
The 99s also feature slightly oversized guides specifically placed to make stack mending, shake-out and line feeding easier. Put it all together and you have a light, perfectly balanced rod that casts like a 9-footer but fishes like a 10. High-Stickers rejoice!
Model 799-4 99
Length 9'9"
Line 7
Sections 4
Tube Size 33 inches
Weight 4 1/8 oz.
|
|
Drawback
|
Tested |
|
Rating
|
High Water Mark...Best |
|
Testers
|
Chris Stinson
Pat Stinson
Jim Abel
Ryan Stefek |
|
Suggested Retail
|
$699.00 |
|
Backoffice Friendly
|
Work with long time friends at Backbone Media!
The Best! |
