by duckdog » February 6th, 2012, 9:44 am
The Helios was lighter and at first I actually like the Sage a little better but after I spent a little time with the Helios it pulled a little ahead. The lightness didn't feel as good at first but the more I used it the better that weight felt. Both rods were super accurate. I picked out a small mark in the pavement about 35 ft.away and just started trying to hit it ,first with the yarn on the end of the tippit , then with the end of the fly line. Both rods were great. In the end it was the weight and that I was just a little more accurate with the Orvis, but you know ,the sage still felt really,really nice and I will get one some day. Like I said, I am plotting,I have a plan.
Saturday on Hot creek I had the Helios and my Zero G both set up the same and was walking the bank looking for fish tight up against it. There was a little breeze but not too bad . the first nice fish that I tried for was about 20-25 ft. up stream and I started with the Zero G, it took a few casts to get a good drift in the right lane but we finally connected. I figured that my lack of accuracy was all me, I don't practice enough. The second fish was just a little up from the first, about the same distance, i was really shocked at how accurate that rod was, the difference was noticeable . I was not expecting that.
One other thing that factored into my decision was the last time I bought a fly rod. In 2007 I got 2 , the Zero G and a Sage Z-Axis. In the parking lot I liked the Sage more but after fishing both the Orvis became my favorite.That was something that I really considered.
I asked if they had a Hardy 5 wt. that I could try but they did not. The guy's at Marriot's were really great ,they let me take as much time as I needed to make a decision.
Gary good luck with your test of the Sage . Let me know how you like fishing it.
Mike