As a fishing guide in NZ I get comped most of the gear. The best thing about this rod is the blank. It casts very nicely. However, in NZ's South Island after trophy trout we are often using 20ft+ leaders with a short line. In this config. the rod does much better with a 6wt line. Both G loomis Streamdance presentation and CD's XLS cast better. The St Croix Legen Elite has a very similar action.
Few people seem prepared to write negatives about Sage, well here are some: the rod is too glossy, great for display but but scares off spooky trout. The guides are too small, and come on Sage, guide technology has changed as well as blanks, how about some single foot REC recoils or matt Ni/Ti alloy single foots instead of double foot snakes?
The handle is too thin. It becomes quite uncomfortable during a full day's fishing. The reel seat and insert are fine but no different to my old LL rod. The cloth bag was reduced quality from earlier Sage's and you can now get much better rod tubes than Sage's basic aluminium one.
Given the retail price this rod is quite poor value, for the same price Loomis offers better components and casts better. The CD XLS is an altogether better rod and better value.
For less dough look at the St Croix Legend Elite which performs at least as good and has better parts or the TFO TiCr which is much cheaper and performs very well.

Customer Service

Sage offer a good warranty however I feel they overcharge international customers on shipping. For example, most US retailers will send a rod to NZL for 30USD, Sage charge 80USD

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All top rods

I have a 5wt 9'6" XP and it is the best all around fresh water rod I have ever owned. It is fast, but the flex tip allows a delicate presentation. I've been using it with RIO Grand line and it works well. It's the rod I alway reach for.

Customer Service

Broke a tip and it was returned in about two weeks. Great service.

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Powell, LLB, Orvis

There is no better combination of precision in casting, sensitivity at retrieving and power at fighting fishes.This rod deserves each cent of the price. It´s my best rod, for long.

Customer Service

I´m plety of gratitude to the service personnel; my rod was broken while fishing, and during travel to factory was totally destroyed. Factory made me a brand new rod, with the same series number.Nice people, nice factory, nice rod.

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Orvis Trident TLS, Scott SAS

After three years of intensive use, this rod continues to be my go-to favorite. The balance with the new RioGrande fly line has taken it to another level. I primarily use it for landlock salmon fishing and find it works well with dry flies, streamers or nymph rigs. I especially like the 9'6" length for nymphing. Just first class.

Customer Service

No esperience

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Powell Triboron, LLBean Guide, Orvis Spey

Casting distance and high line speed. Very well built - their back up on broken rods is very good - I broke a tip on a 8 wt and it came back from the factory within 2 weeks - no quibbling. Other manaufacturers aren't like that - which is important to note when you've forked out 500 quid on a rod.

I wish they'd put markers on the rod sections to help you match them up when you're putting the rod together.

This was the first fly rod I bought and although I baulked at the price I can say it was well worth it.As soon as you get proficient at casting the rod enables you to make consistently long casts and generate high line speed effortlessly- it actually helps you become a decent caster because if you are doing vaguely the right things it responds immediately. Casting with this rod can become as enjoyable as catching fish and definitely is part of the fishing experience. I have a Winston BL5 6 weight which isn't a patch on this and wish I'd bought another Sage XP. I fish heavier Sage rods in Saltwater too - for me there's nothing to touch them - you have to get to the fish zone and these rods can do that for you without you having to be a flycasting champion.

Customer Service

First class - 2 weeks turn around for me on a broken tip - no arguments.

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Winston BL5

Light, Quality, Fast-action.

Not as tight as the GLX.

As a guide I get to try all rods out there and this is one of the best. Make that second best, the Loomis GLX is better. Cast them side by side.

Customer Service

Just fine.

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Most rods out there

Incredible feel, fast line speed, pin-point accuracy. Able to cast close deliatly and when you need to - you can air it out easily.

none

Sage XP 9ft 5wt is simple an amazing all purpose trout rod.

Customer Service

never a problem

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Sage DS 2, St Croix Ultra Legend

Where to start.Frist its lite, I mean its relly LITE its a fast action rod that dosen''''t wear my arm down after a full day of casting. Second the feeling of this rod is not what you would expect from a fast action rod.Its a good fishing rod as well as an incredible casting tool.If you have used other fast action rod you know what i mean. Third the performance you get from this rod is simple amazing.All i can say is go down to your local dealer and try one even if you don''''t intend on buying one.

Not a weakness but is a fast action rod that might not fit everyone casting style. Like all ways try before you buy.

I can not say enough good thing about this rod .If you can only own one five weight rod then you owe it to your self to try this one out.Its a good all round trout rod that has alot of back bone yet is still capable of delicate work.

Customer Service

Not had to use it but hear mostly good things.One of main reson I purchased this rod.

where to start. Frist its lite. I mean REALY lite its a fast action rod that dosen''''t wear my arm down after a day of casting. Second the feeling you get with this rod is not what you would expect from a fast action rod . Its a good fishing rod as well as an incredible casting tool.If you have used other fast action rods you know what i mean. Third the performance you get from this rod is simple unbeliveable and please don''''t take my word on that go try one for your self even if you don''''t plan on buying one.

Not a weakness but is a fast action rod and may not fit every one casting rhythm,like all ways try be for you buy.

I can not say enought good things about this rod. If you are limited to one 5 weight rod then you owe it to your self to check this one out.

Customer Service

Not had to use it yet,but have heard mostly good things about there customer service.

light, beautiful dark green, nice fast action«

Alot of $ (but if I divide the $ spent by the number of minutes spent fishing then it''s actually pretty cheap))

I have the 590. This is my thunder stick. When I cast it I feel lightening strike. I feel like "Thor-god of fly fishing" (though I don''t always fish like it)I have not owned any other high end rod but I cannot imagine a better rod than this. I''m getting excited thinking about it as I type. It is a wonderfully fast rod. I put $400 or so as the price because I built it up from the blank. This was my first (and only) rod I have built. My brother,who has built several rods, warned me to not go so expensive on my first rod build. Russ at Angler''s Inn in Orem patiently guided me through the building process and it came out beautiful (maybe a wee too much flex coat on the guides).I love just to look at it and touch it.

Customer Service

haven''t needed it±

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cheapo fenwicko