Sage Z-Axis 490-4

Here is a "sick" Sage Z-Axis in 9'0" 4pc. 4wt. that I recently finished for a customer. Truly one-of-a-kind and "outside the box" custom fitted Sage fly rod. Complete package here. A sweet copper Ross Evolution LT and a Mastery nymph wf4 taper line were precisely matched to this amazing fast action rod. Rod came out to just 595$. Fine green silk and red tipping wraps, light wire snake guides and a terrific spalted maple nickel silver reel seat from the master machinist Joel Lemke. Thanks for looking at my work and apreciate your feedback!

 

Sage TCR 696-4

Back in 2002, Sage established a new benchmark in high performance fast action rods. The ultrafast series called the TCR were the perfect tools for distance, wind or sinking lines. They still are today. Good fly rod designs will still be good designs no matter if 10 years have passed since the most technical casting rod was first released. For this truly special rod, I complemented the "chilli pepper" colored TCR blank with a dark orange thread, double metallic bronze and black ferrule signature wraps, a beautiful Lemke design uplocking black nickel reel seat with cocobolo wood insert (a great match for the TCR), a fine cork handle and fighting butt. The titanium snake guides are a great upgrade to the factory build and they are a better option for hardcore anglers. These hard chrome titanium coated guides can take more abuse than standard hard chrome guides. For a more elegant look I added the end cap of the reel seat at the end of the cork butt to fully complement the reel seat hardware. And to make it even more functionable, the aligment dots are a nice addition for easier assembly of the rod. Thanks for looking!

 

 

Sage TCR 696-4. Work in progress.

Bringing you one of the last remaining "tough boys" from Sage. The TCR. It's real challenge and delight to work on the most Technical Casting Rod fast action, huge distance casting stick Sage has probably done so far. Stay tuned for this one (this one's for sale) and thanks for looking!

 

 

Sage Z-Axis 586-4

Here is the first built this year, the marvelous fast action Z-Axis series from Sage that has been discontinued in 2011 for the new One series. Before finishing this beauty I had the chance to cast it and I can honestly say the Z-Axis is one of the best fast action rods Sage has ever produced despite the long talk about how good its predecessor was, the XP. The Z-Axis replaced the XP some years ago and was designed to do everything the XP did but in a lighter, smaller diameter package and way more fishable in close and medium range. I particulary like the Z-Axis in the more versatile 9' lenghts in 3, 4, and 5 weight. I think the 9' 5 weight Z-Axis was the most talked fast action rod at Sage and I'm sure this won't be it.

Meanwhile I have a great pleasure to show you my latest custom build. Allthough some say I am a bit "slow" or a very meticulous builder, this thing has its benefits. I take my time for each particular build. With each build I'm mastering my epoxy work, handle shapes and rod writing. I'm not a high volume rod builder and even if this would change in the future, my work will continue to be what it is and where there is room to improve, it will.
I hope you'll like this truly one-of-a-kind rod just as much as I enjoyed building it. This rod was sold before completion as the blank was sent it. Coming up next the "hotshot" Sage TCR 696-4 and two more sweet Z-Axis 490-4. Thanks for looking everyone!

Sage Z-Axis 586-4. Work in progress.

Custom order status. All wrapped and ready to apply the finish. The antique gold silk will darken considerably and turn medium brown. Black and chestnut signature silk wraps. Hard chrome snake guides, hand turned short cork grip for smaller hands (flor grade cork) and Lemke small diameter nickel silver reel seat with a beautiful dark spalted maple insert. Stay posted and thankx for looking!

Lemke Concepts reel seats

Latest reel seat arrival in the new year that just started. These are state of the art quality seats made by Joel Lemke. The downsliding seats you see below are my custom design prototype reel seats. The uplocking desings are usually used for the graphite rods or higher weights fiberglass rods. The downslide designs are mostly for fiberglass rods. Just as much as you do, I'm looking forward to see them in my next builds. Stay tuned for them and thanks for your interest in my work!
Wish everbody a great New Year and may this year be a much better one than 2011!

Sage and Winston blank arrival!

Sage blanks, Winston and Landmark tubes came in today. TXL's, TCR's, Z-Axis and Winston BIIX. Some of them are custom rod orders and some of them will be available for sale as finished rods.
Currently in stock and ready to build:
Winston BIIX 908-4 (custom order)
Sage TXL 3710-3 (two, both for sale)
Sage Z-Axis 586-4 (custom order)
Sage Z-Axis 490-4 (two in stock, one is custom order, one is for sale)
Sage TCR 490-4 (one of the last remaining famous ultrafast series from Sage, not yet for sale, might be)
Sage TCR 696-4 (for sale)

Email if interested in a custom build.
Thanks,
George