Sage TXL-F ???????????

[FishingHiker]

Read this on another site. Can't seem to find any further info. Anyone else heard anything????????

The latest on what Sage is doing with the TXL's: The new rods will be called "TXL-F" They will be made in 7'10" (000-4wt), and 6'10 (3 and 4wt)--all 4 piece. The grips will be gracefully-tapered full wells (or western cigar with a lip), the color chestnut brown, and the reel seats bronze anodized aluminum uplocking. Rod weights are reduced accordingly, with the loss of the NS hardware (the new 000wt is 1 7/16 oz, 00wt 1 1/2 oz, and so on). Price about $650. Note that the 7 footers lost two inches and the 6'3" 3wt went away--again.

Something new is coming, Ebay has to many new TXL's for under $400.00

FishingHiker

[fly addict]

I think fast action ultralite rods suck. I like to feel a small fish when I’m hooked up. They also don’t load up well in close. And that’s just the type of casting that you need on small bushy streams. Fiberglass and bamboo rods are perfect for small streams. Some of the old Sage LL in small wts and lengths and Winston old IM6 are good for this same type of fishing.

Sage seems to always change their rod designs every few years. Are they getting better at what they were designed to do? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. $650 dollars for a rod with bronze anodized aluminum reel seats! That’s a rip-off. Does Sage think they are going to be used in the surf? Did they make them even faster and lighter or just cheaper?

Mark

[NorcalBob]

<<<Sage seems to always change their rod designs every few years. Are they getting better at what they were designed to do?>>>
All of the major FF vendors have planned "sales lives" for their gear of 3-5 years, because it forces the fly shops to clean out their stock and buy new stuff from them every couple of years. Simms is the worst for this. Standard business model in this crazy business. And it has nothing to do with better performance of the product (except for better performance for their profits!).

[Sasha]

Meh......I'll stick with my SPL and SLT lineup.

[rayfound]

Meh......

I don't mean to be argumentative here... but how can you say "meh" before you even know what the rod is going to be like, cast like, etc...

I think fast action ultralite rods suck. I like to feel a small fish when I’m hooked up. They also don’t load up well in close. And that’s just the type of casting that you need on small bushy streams

I don't think I would agree if you're calling the TXLs fast action. I find my TXL00 loads and casts well with just a few inches of flyline out the tip (or even just leader)... but, to each his own, if you've found you prefer something different, more power to you, I have no skin in this game.

Again, I'm really not trying to be a * here, but c'mon Mike...

Even though I own one (still not sure why), I've never been truly "impressed" with the TXL line-up. My 00 is a fun rod to play with for sure, but I've never understood why Jerry Siems screwed with the spine stiffness when he created the things. When thrown side-by-side, the 00 actually casts more line easily with less effort than it takes with the SPL 0. To me, that was defeating the purpose of creating a 00 or a 000.

Seems I read this somewhere (http://www.flyfishingaddicts.com/gr_sage00.html).

In my humble opinion, the TXL 00710-3 is one of the most magnificent pieces of artwork I’ve ever had the pleasure of throwing. What surprised me is how strong the 00wt rod is when a large amount line is being aired out. Keep in mind; I had been religiously using the SPL and SLT Series 0wt rods, which to me required learning a sensitive touch to command and cast appropriately. Surprisingly, the TXL 00wt was much easier to air-out than I ever thought it would be. My TXL feels much stronger in the middle of the rod, making it a breeze to manage a DT0F line (for those that like to line-up one size higher than the rod weight they’re throwing). I rarely throw more than ten feet of floating line with my TXL, so I tend to stay with a matching Sage Quiet Taper DT00F line. Some ultralighters’ fish everything and everywhere with their TXL’s, but mine only comes out of its’ tube for small stream trips into the Golden Trout Wilderness, which in my mind is exactly the kind of flyfishing this rod is best suited for. Coupled with a sweet, machined ultra-lightweight reel, my TXL 00wt is the most amazing flyfishing instrument I own.

*Emphasis Mine.


I guess I am just not understanding the negativity at this point surrounding a rod that hasn't even been released. For all we know at this point, the TXL-F might be a new version of a TXL might be TXL-Full Flex.... again, I am not saying this is the case... but seriously hating on a rod that not one of us has cast yet... wow, that's a new one to me.

forgive me guys... I am really not a Sage apologetic, I would be making these same comments if it was something else entirely.

[Sasha]

Sorry, now that I have seen the pics and have heard of the $600 price tag. I know I will stick with my current lineup

[Sasha]

Here is a post that I made on another site:



Here is the thing; for me it is not just the $600 price tag. Lord knows I spent more on my Spey rod. That is kind of the point though for me. Why would I want to shell out that kind of money for a rod when I can get a custom rod, built to my specs for about the same price. The second part of my hesitation to jump on the TXL-F wagon is what modern rods seem to be doing. The SPL and the SLT are a lot softer than the original TXL. I am not saying that the TXL was bad or anything. * I had a ton of fun with my 000wt. The thing is I just enjoyed my SPL and SLT a lot more then my TXL. I am not saying that people should not buy one; however I will most likely not get one. Unless I happen to find a killer deal on one (after trying one first). Yes Orvis came out with the ion; after trying it I felt that it really sucked when compared to the Trout Bum 1wt. The reason was that it was too stiff for my tastes.

Back on the subject of TXLs' another thing I found odd (after owing one for a while) was the fact I could cast a lot more line with it then my 1wt Orvis rod and my 0wt SPL. Why would a rod that was rated as a 000wt be stiffer and able to throw more line than a 1wt? I don't know but for me I knew I did not love that rod so I sold it. Now if people love the TXL great! Get one and fish the * out of it. For me, well I will be looking for more SPL and SLTs'

[fly addict]

Ray,

Well I might as well respond also.

I think you might be thinking that a rod loading and casting are the same thing. They are not. To prove that theory take a broomstick and tie on a flyline. You will be able to cast the flyline but I’m sure you will not load the broomstick! It also would not be the most fun to fish.

A rod that loads and cast well as you stated, with just a few inches of flyline would more than likely just completely collapse at normal casting distance. Fly rods are designed to load and cast a specific-weighted flyline at 30’. That is the benchmark distance that rod manufactures design to load up their rods. They will still load and cast more and less than that distance. The further you get from that ideal 30’ distance the less optimum the rod will perform.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying you can’t cast your rod with just a few inches of flyline beyond the tip. But the rod is not loading at that short distance.

I think the consensus on the TXL’s are they are fast action flyrods. If the new models (TXL F) are even faster, then I think Sage is making a mistake. I’m sure if they are faster they will cast a nice tight loop out to any distance you would want to fish them. But you give up a lot when you have a fast-action flyrod. Things like protecting light tippets, loading up for in close casting. And for me the most important thing is the fun factor when I have a fish on. I like to feel a fish on clear down into the handle! The TXL’s did not do that in my opinion.

Mark

[FlyinFish]

Sounds like my collection of jigsticks... each one has its own personality and each one is fun to fish for its own reasons. But I know which one to pick to have the most fun and I know which on to pick when things get serious.

It seems to me the TXL is what I'd use if I wanted to fish seriously and not risk losing fish to structure and wanted the backbone to pull hard. But if I wanted to have fun, I'd use one of the softer models of rods.

[rayfound]

I cede the point to Mark that Casting and Loading are two different things. (Just read my blog, I fly-cast a putter last weekend) And as such the TXLs don't flex as much as other options. Compared to you guys, I am a rank amateur when it comes to casting. Maybe my TXL00 isn't loading in close... it puts the fly where I want it, and I don't really worry much beyond that.

I do think they protect tippets very well, I feel the fish plenty, etc... but meh, this discussion wasn't really about the TXL anyway, its about the TXL-F. Maybe I just like faster rods than I thought I did, time will tell.

If in fact it is even faster, well, then I think I might fall in line with the others and criticize it. Certainly, we can all agree that $600 (even the old price of $560) is a pretty penny to pay for a flyrod.

but what I am bothered by in the criticism is that at this point we only know the following:

-Its called TXL-F (we don't know what the F means)
-its 4 piece (a HUGE plus IMO, as someone who likes to backpack with my rods, air travel too)
-its lighter (has to be considered a benefit... these are ultralight afterall)
-Its got what looks to be an odd cork shape for such a light rod.(some will like it, some will not, I'd rather not want it and sand it off than want it and not have the extra cork there)


I am sorry, but I don't see this as enough information to assume the new rod will not stand up to the older SLT and SPL rods. Maybe I'll have to try Justin's next time we're out and see if I prefer it now (I didn't 2 years ago, but things certainly change).

I guess I'll just have to wait until they come out to see if I would like the new rod or not. I know I don't have the $600 to buy anything at the moment, but its always nice to have an object of desire.

[Sasha]

I have no clue what the TXL-F (does the "F" stand for "fairy?") throws like.

Did I mention how much I miss Castaway?

I think the F might stand for F*ckstick


I think * has frozen over. Castaway posted on this subject on another forum. I agreed with him on the subject about liking softer rods on small creeks and the TXL being stiff

[FishingHiker]

I don't know what you fish killers are arguing about anyway, if you don't fish at least a 5wt. everything dies. I'm just glad we (ultralight) have a choice in actions.

[rayfound]

looking to achieve maximum "launchage" distance of smaller trout higher into pine trees.

[Sasha]

I don't know what you fish killers are arguing about anyway, if you don't fish at least a 5wt. everything dies...

I agree. Yard sale at Creek's place. Ditching useless SPL 0wts and investing in a cache of anything in the 5wt class - just as long as they're stiffer than a wet johnson. Looking to establish longer casts - particularly when in the Horseshoe Meadow region. Also looking to achieve maximum "launchage" distance of smaller trout higher into pine trees.

Sweet

So how many SPLs' can I get for a few Orvis 5wt rods

[Pete]

Devil's advocate here . Why don't you guys just dump those pixie sticks and go with Bamboo? Come on, you know you want to. You all talk about super feel, delicate touch and decent actions. You have just described Bamboo to a tee, baby.

The Wayne Cattanach 7042. A 7' 3-4 wt. that can easily lay out 30 to 40 feet of line with a ultra soft touch. And its so sensitive, you can feel a fish fart all the way thru the rod.

HeHeHe deep down you ultralight guys know you were made for Bamboo