Sage 15' 1" Graph. 4 versus 15 ' Graph. 3 ?

[dunbar]

I'm wondering what the pros and cons are of the Sage Graphite 3 1015 4 piece and the Graphite 4 10151 4 piece?

I could get either rod for the about the same price and was wondering if anyone had any pointers? Mainly for autumn work with sink tips and possibly full sinkers from time to time.

Many thanks.

[al44]

If you go on some of the American boards they have many threads about the brown coloured 10151 rods snapping, whereas the later green ones are supposed to have that fault designed out. The 10150 rods are supposed to have a good reputation for not breaking. Go on www.speypages.com and put a search in on each of these rods. If I remember correctly they had a thread comparing the two some time ago.

I have one of the green coloured 10151's and must say it is a really superb rod, no problem with sinking lines. Although it is all personal preference the 80' Lee Wulff spey lines work really well with this rod.

[dunbar]

Thanks folks, some useful pointers. I would have thought the faster, more powerful graphite 4 model may have been better for dredging out full sinkers?

[sagecaster]

I occasionally fish a #13 heavy revolution shooting head off my 15.1 and although its a shade overloaded the rod copes very well. I've fished the 15 graphite 3 only once on a floater, it has a nice smooth but slower action, however I'd question whether it would cope with the really heavy lines, but I would imagine that it would cope well with multi-tips.

IMO the 15.1 is the more versatile rod of the two.

[dunbar]

Thanks folks, the plunge has been taken and I've bought the 15' 1" graphite 4. I've read about it's propensity to break, so every cast will be taken with gnashed teeth.......however, it is warrantied. The one I have bought looks the same olivy brown type colour same as Sage XP trout rods - never sure if its brown or green.....

[rennie]

Ah yes,Sage: one is usefull for smalls on the washing line and the other will comfortably hold up jumpers and such like,oh but only if its not windy. Snigger snigger.

[rennie]

Strewth is this spell check politically correct or what? try sustituting chuckle chuckle for that last bit(oh by the way I am not politically correct)

[colliedog]

Relax Dunbar, I have a pair of these - it means the washing can be drying whilst I'm out fishing with the other

Touch wood, never had any trouble with them - seem to be built like brick sh*thouses compared to other rods I have owned. Even drove off with them leaning against the bonnet and got away with it

CD

[castslikeaghille]

Dunbar

You have made the right choice (between the Sages) for one reason no one has yet talked about. Type 3 is a great casting rod if you like to make a cup of tea while you form the D Loop. However, it takes the type 3 Graphite about 5 hours to 'kill' a 4oz Gudgeon (god how I know it having fished with one for 3 seasons). Whereas, the 15' 1" Euro is certainly one of the greatest general D/H rods ever produced and 'kills' fish as quick as you want (I've had them up to 26lbs on them).

Congratulations, you now own an outstanding all round medium - big river fly rod.

Regards

CLaG

[dunbar]

Good stuff. Thanks for the comments, my confidence is restored.

I have a 14' #9 VPS graphite 111 which is a very nice summer rod but as CLAG infers you could read half of 'Lanark' with some time for a brew up whilst forming the D loop.......but I still enjoy fishing that VPS with lighter flies.

Still waiting on water to test drive the 15' 1" on lower Caberston this weekend.

[castslikeaghille]

dunbar said:

Still waiting on water to test drive the 15' 1" on lower Caberston this weekend.

Your wish is granted I look forward to the report