| Comprehensive Guide to Spey/Two-Handed Rods George Cook/Ryan S Petzold 2010 Welcome, As you read about the various offerings of Sage rods, along with line and reel match ups, please take note that the different line match variations do have specific usage. Line choice will be dictated by such factors as seasonality, method, casting style, water temperature and fly type. In other words, an ideal line for the Deschutes on Labor Day is a different animal than the ideal line for the Sauk/Skagit in early March. • Skagit Line. The focused tool for Sink tip use with the ability for pure full floating fly line adaptation. *See “Skagit/ologyâ€� for more details.* • AFS (Advanced Flight Spey) Line. The summer/fall choice with Versi Leader versatility. *See â €œAFS 101â€�* • WindCutter Line. A historical choice with long time advocates. • PowerSpey Line. The summer/fall floating line of the traditional long line caster. Z -Axis European (Fast) Action 2-Handed Rod 5126-4 Z Axis- 12’6â€� 4 piece for a #5 Line. This rod is ideally suited for such rivers as the Rogue, Grande Ronde and Deschutes. This rod is small but mighty and plays bigger than it is, doubles as an effective large trout swinging streamer stick. • Line Match: AFS 5/6 Floating, Skagit 400 (no cheater) • Sink Tip: 15’ 109 grain type 3, 6 and 8. T-8 in 11 & 13’, Spey VersiLeader 10’ • Reel Match: Sage 6080, Sage 4580, Tibor Everglade, Sage 3810 6126-4 Z Axis- 12’6’’ 4 piece for a #6 Line. Ideally suited for a multitude of steelhead, light salmon and big trout duty. A really good choice for the brace rod below the #8 that everyone owns. A Deschutes favorite along with a Tierra Del Fuego small rod • Line Match: Skagit Flight 425, AFS 6/7 Floater, Skagit 400, WindCutter 5/6 • Sink Tip Use: 15’ 129 grain tips in type 3, 6 and 8. T-8/T-11 from 9’, 11’ and 13’ lengths. • Reel Match: Sage 6010, Tibor Everglade 7136-4 Z Axis- 13’6’’ 4 piece for a #7 Line. The perfect summer run rod that can see duty for big Alaskan rainbows and TDF Sea Run Browns as well. Grande Rhonde, Deschutes, Rogue or Umpqua this is the ideal year round rod in Oregon. This is a rod every spey enthusiasts everywhere- should own. • Line Match: AFS 7/8, Skagit Flight 525, WindCutter 7/8/9, Skagit 500 (no Cheater) • Sink Tip Use: 15’ 150 grain in type 3, 6 and 8. T-11/T-14 in 11’ and 13’ lengths. • Reel Match: Tibor Riptide, Sage 6010 8129-4 Z Axis- 12’9â€� 4 piece for a 8 Line. Super tactical spey rod. From Kings in Alaska to winter runs on the Sol Duc to tight casting quarters on the North Umpqua. This is an ideal 2nd rod for spey enthusiasts. Don’t be fooled by the 12’9â€� length, long casts come surprisingly easy with minimal effort. • Line Match: Skagit Flight 625, AFS 8/9, Skagit 600 (no cheater), WindCutter 8/9/10, • Sink Tip Match: 15’ 150 grain type 3, 6 and 8. T-14 11’,13’and 15’ lengths. T- 17 in 11’ & 13’ lengths. • Reel Match: Sage 6010, Tibor Riptide 8134-4 Z Axis 13’4â€� 4 piece for a 8 Line. The perennial steelhead spey rod has arrived. Be it spring or fall, summer or winter this rod will prove hard to beat anywhere in the steelhead theatre. Rather its your first northwest spey rod or another arrow in the quiver, this light, smooth, powerful tool without fatigue puts this rod atop the list of stealer Sage steelhead spey rods. • Line Match: Skagit Flight 575, AFS 8/9, Skagit 550 with/without 2.5 cheater, PowerSpey 8/9, WindCutter 8/9/10 • Sink Tip Match: T-14 in 9’, 11’, 13’ and 15’ lengths, 15’ 150 grain type 3, 6 and 8. T-17 in 10’ & 12’ lengths. • Reel Match: Sage 6010, Tibor Riptide 9143-4 Z Axis- 14’3’’ 4 piece for a 9 Line. The ideal winter steelhead, King Salmon combo rod has arrived (for those traveling to the Kola Peninsula this is your stick). The Clackamas to the Skagit, the Kispoix to the Kola, this is the rod to “get-er-doneâ€�. • Line Match: AFS 9/10, WindCutter 9/10/11, PowerSpey 8/9, Skagit 650 no cheater 2.5’ Skagit Cheater #101 • Sink Tip Use: 15’ 166 grain type 3, 6 and 8. T-14 in 11’ 13’ and 15’ lengths. T- 17 in 11’ & 13’ lengths. • Reel Match: Sage 6012, Tibor Riptide, Sage 6010 10150-4 Z Axis- 15’ 4 piece for a 10 Line. A focused specialty rod. B.C.’s Thompson River, B.C. & Alaskan Kings, Norwegian and Kola Atlantic Salmon. • Line Match: Skagit 750 with 5 or 7.5’ Skagit Cheater #12, PowerSpey 10/11, AFS 10/11, Skagit Flight 750 (no Cheater) WindCutter 10/11/12. • Sink Tip Use: 15’ 166 grain type 3, 6 and 8. T-14/T-17 in 13’ and 15’ • Reel Match: Tibor Gulfstream, Sage 6012 10160-4 Z Axis- 16’ 4 Piece for a 10 Line. Usage and match ups are the same as 10150-4. This is the ultimate longball performer. Here is one to try the new AFS S3/S4 where distance and sink-rate meet on the curve. Bring some Advil too! |