THE LATEST FROM SAGE - TXL-F FLY FISHING RODS

 

Specifications

• Line Sizes: 000wt-4wt

• Rod Length: 7'10" (with a 3wt and 4wt at 6'10" as well) 
• Sections: 4 piece 
• Weight:  1 7/16 oz. (000wt) to 1 15/16 oz. (4wt) 
• Handle: Cork - Snub-nose Half Wells Grip 
• Reel Seat: Bronze anodized with walnut insert 
• Action: Moderate Fast 
• Retail Cost: $625.00

   

Leland is excited to offer Sage’s new TXL-F series of fly rods.

November 22, 2010 (San Francisco, CA):  Since 1985, Sage has endeavored on perfecting performance by handcrafting fly rods in Bainbridge Island, Washington.  This year, Sage’s master rod builder, Jerry Siem, has developed a new series of dedicated small stream fly rods named TXL-F.  This latest rod offering provides big rod performance in a small package.

Celebrate small stream fishing: Ultra-light rods in general have a reputation for being "noodly". Not so with the TXL-F, which responds to the same casting stroke that efficiently loads and unloads Sage's high-performing, fast-action rods.  Now an angler can play “small ball” on tight trout streams without sacrificing performance.

Read the full press release.

 

PRO REView - GEORGE REVEL

What’s the word. . .

The new TXL-F series of small stream trout rods from Sage  have been introduced as the replacement to the much-loved TXL ("Trout eXtra Light") series. In line weights 000 through 4, the TXL-F fly rods offer anglers the responsiveness and precision necessary to fish confidently in tight quarters. The "F" in "TXL-F" is for "feel," and Sage has managed to produce a rod series that provides unprecedented sensitivity, tippet protection, and--most surprisingly, stellar casting performance.

Features. . .

 

The TXL-F raises the bar on its predecessor in a few different ways. From the 000710-4 to the 4710-4, the TXL-Fs are on average a full third lighter than their TXL ancestors. Sage has achieved this through further refining their proprietary G5 construction technology (more about G5 below) and a new style of ferrule which they're calling "microferrules."

These new, more efficient junctions provide the TXL-Fs with weight savings, to be sure, but also help ensure an even, continuous flex along the rod's length to give anglers sensitive tippet protection and easy, intuitive casting. These rods load fully and cast dart-like tight loops.

The "snub-nosed half wells" grip is another feature that's new for the TXL-F. This high quality cork handle is slightly flared at the top, to provide ergonomic hand placement and better energy transfer from the anger's arm, through the thumb, to the blank and fly line.

Action. . .

Perhaps because they are on average a third lighter than their TXL predecessors, the TXL-Fs are a great deal crisper-casting than any light line rod developed to date. Historically, the small stream category has been populated by rods with a noodly, unsatisfying action, one that loads easily at close distances, but doesn't track particularly well or gracefully form tight loops.

Not so with the TXL-F. These lightweight fly rods are veritable pistols. They are designed to be cast with the same casting stroke that best operates Sage's full range of fast action fly rods. If you are comfortable casting a Z-Axis 590-4, you'll be able to confidently use that same compact, modern casting stroke to impressive results with every TXL-F model.

Materials. . .

 

The TXL-F rod series makes use of a high modulus graphite blend in its blank construction, as well as Sage's proprietary G5 construction technology. High modulus graphite allows TXL-F blanks to efficiently load and unload during the casting cycle--transferring more energy into the fly line---while G5 enables Sage to produce lighter, more responsive, and more precise rods.

Often misunderstood, G5 technology is a manufacturing process rather than a specific material, machine, or treatment. G5 has two elements: a scrimless reinforcement method and a fiber alignment method.

Traditionally, graphite blanks have made use of fiberglass "scrims" or woven sheets of fiberglass that are sandwiched between sheets of graphite. While the graphite provides axial strength along the blank, the fiberglass provides hoop strength---basically, it prevents the round cross section of the blank from contorting into an oval, which is the first step in failure.

But fiberglass is heavy and makes rods heavier, less powerful, or both. Through G5 technology, Sage has used advanced resin systems and lateral carbon fiber reinforcements to provide more than adequate hoop strength without fiberglass. When these scrimless blanks are baked and cured, they achieve a much denser nesting of graphite fibers--with consonantly greater strength. With G5, Sage has moved beyond the need for scrim, making it possible to produce a lighter, livelier, and quicker-recovering blank.



The second facet of G5 has to do with fiber alignment. Unlike fiberglass, which is woven, a sheet of graphite has all its fibers running in parallel--or unidirectionally. This means a rolled-up tube of graphite is very strong axially. But a fly rod isn't a simple cylinder--it's actually a very thin, gradually narrowing cone of sorts. It has taper to it, in order that it can bend and unbend predictably to cast the fly line. This taper makes it technically difficult to keep fibers in alignment as you roll a sheet of graphite around a mandrill to make a rod blank.

To get around this, Sage lays a cut of graphite sheeting on the mandrill and rolls it, then lays another cut at a different orientation, rolls it, then another cut, and so on. These "multiple lay-ups" result in less overall migration of fiber direction off the longitudinal axis, and make for blanks that track better, respond with more energy, and on the whole provide casters with an extra level of precision.

Fit and Finish. . . 

 

• Sage G5 technology graphite construction

• Exceptionally light in hand, but stable and responsive as well

• High quality cork handle in a Snub-Nose Half Wells configuration

• English Hopkins and Holloway guides and tip top

• Bronze anodized reel seat with walnut insert

• Stitched cotton rod sock and extruded aluminum tube

• Limited lifetime warranty

Reliability and Durability. . . 

Sage was founded in 1979 by Don Green, an experienced rod blank builder and one of the architects of the modern fishing rod, as owner of the Grizzly Fiberglass Company, which later partnered with Fenwick. It was originally called Winslow Manufacturing (after the city of Winslow on Bainbridge Island, Washington) but within a year had changed its name to Sage. Emphasizing high quality fly rods sold only through specialty stores, Sage rode the crest of the fly-fishing boom in the post “A River Runs Through It” years. Today, although there is no industry repository for exact numbers, Sage is probably the world’s largest producer of premium fly rods and employs over 100 workers in their manufacturing facility.

So, has being the 800-pound gorilla affected the quality of their product as it has with so many other companies in the outdoor industry? Although challenged by industry wide flat sales, the growth of the Internet, and increasingly higher quality Asian imports, my impression is no, for several reasons. Sage has continued to retain talented people and spend money on research and development. The proximity of Bainbridge to the Boeing Aircraft manufacturing plants near Seattle and Toray Composites in Tacoma provides access to a wealth of knowledge from the aerospace industry, the primary end users of graphite fiber. More importantly, aside from a few casting and spinning rod models over the years, Sage has pretty much stuck to their original intention, building very good fly rods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The TXL-F has a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner. If you damage or break your rod, you are responsible for the shipping charges and insurance to send ALL of the pieces to Sage, plus a $40 handling fee, to cover return shipping and insurance within the U. S. International owners are charged the actual shipping and insurance fees. Not a bad deal for an expensive, relatively fragile tool. The other five or six top US makers offer similar rod warranties, but not all provide the same level of service. I’ve seen some customers wait 3 or 4 months, or longer, to get their rods back. Sort of puts the damper on the fishing season. Sage’s lead time for repairs is currently about 2 to 2 ½ weeks during their busy summer, and shortens to about 1 ½ weeks in the winter.

Overall Rating. . .

 

 

 

PROS - The new TXL-Fs are really a groundbreaking series. The actions correlate to Sage's larger trout rods, so you can use the same, compact casting stroke you would use on a 5wt or 6wt, get great loops, and still show small fish the respect they deserve.

CONS - Though the TXL-F 4710-4 is the most versatile of the series, these rods are definitely specialty rods. Any one of these rods will make a great addition to your quiver, but look elsewhere if you're shopping for an all-rounder.

BOTTOM LINE – These are precise, crisp light line fly rods that are fun to fish. The TXL-Fs will open up new water and remind you how great dry fly fishing really is.

Reviewer. . .

 

I grew up in Redding, CA, fishing for trout and steelhead on the many waters of the region. As I grew up, I became more focused on fishing for steelhead, and swinging a fly through a glassy tail-out is probably my favorite thing in the world. But fishing the TXL-F this summer on small water was like "trout rehab" for me, and I've been fishing trout hard through the summer and fall. I'm remembering that California has some really outstanding small streams and ponds that never get the pressure of the larger tailwaters and freestones. Although I always value the secrecy of my fishing spots, I encourage you to pick up a TXL-F and go find the small stuff near you. I'll see you on the water. -George Revel

 

 

Back to the Sage TXL-F Fly Rods

Leland on sage txl-f fly fishing rodS

 

Why replace a beloved series of light fly rods? When you can make that series 33% lighter while dramatically improving its performance, the real question is why wouldn't you? Besides its near weightlessness, the TXL-F (the "F" is for "feel") Series of fly rods has received a tune-up in the form of increased sensitivity and performance with the latest version of Sage's exclusive G-5 technology, as well as new and improved microferrules. The series even has a brand new grip: a "snub-nose half wells" grip that's just one more reason it's tough to put down at the end of the day.

Ultralight rods in general have had a reputation for being "noodly". Not so with the TXL-F, which responds to the same casting stroke that efficiently loads and unloads Sage's high performing fast action rods. This efficient casting stroke allows you to delicately drift dry flies under logs and bushes with accuracy unprecedented in an ultzralight fly rod. We test-drove the TXL-F 4710-4 this summer on a tiny creek in Northern California and had a blast dropping dries into wooded corners and slingshot casting under cut banks.

Without question, this is the best-casting series of ultralight fly rods on the market today. And in a new four piece configuration, the TXL-F is that much easier to pack high into the backcountry.