Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Sage

Multiple Application / Fast Action with true connection through material innovation

For most of us, an idyllic day on the water is not when we’re thinking more, but
when we’re thinking less. Finding that state of fishing in the moment, where
instinct and experience bring us to an almost zen-like awareness of each
subtle motion and movement—that’s what R8 CORE is all about. It’s not a race or
a competition, but a state we all aim to reach out on the water. With R8 CORE we
enhance that two-way connection from hand to fly and back for greater feel, flow
and control. This Amplified Two-Way Feedback Loop, due to our new axial fiber
formulation, allows you to feel when the power needs to be applied throughout the
cast, presentation, and when applying the appropriate pressure to fish – ultimately
giving you the angler Complete Control.

R8 CORE is focused on maximum versatility and applies new revolutionary
material technology through our forward-thinking lens of what we’re seeing
out on the water, where one rod needs to show even greater range.

At its core, the R8 CORE traces a direct lineage to Sage’s multi-application vision, one shaped by the fishing evolutions happening all around us—from habitats we stalk and waters we frequent, to the flies we fish and the diversity of species we now target.

COMPLETE CONTROL

• Effortless Energy Transfer and More Connected Feel
• Maximized Versatility & Control
• Made to Fish, Not Just Cast

FEATURES

• Revolution 8 Technology
• Silver Pine blank color
• Slate primary thread wraps with graduated White and Grey trim
• Fuji ceramic stripper guides with hard chromed snake guides and tip-top
• Black rod bag with new cord lock for quicker, easier, and cleaner storage
• Aluminum rod tube with Sage medallion

3wt – 6wt

• Sustainable Ziricote wood insert with anodized aluminum up-locking reel seat
• Premium Flor grade snub-nose half-wells cork handle

5wt – 9wt

• Corrosion resistant anodized aluminum reel seat
• Premium Flor grade full-wells cork handle with cork/EVA fighting butt
• Integrated “hidden” reel seat hook keeper

Rod Performance Design Thinking At its core
Dry Fly: A fast action provides the capability to stay tight to the line and in
control of the presentation, while the high line speed drives a tight loop that
assists in laser accuracy in technical dry fly situations. With ability to handle
dry fly lines with long heads, increasing loop control when carrying long
lengths and making precise casts to rising fish, all while making it easier to
turn over long leaders for technical feeders at range.
Nymphing With a sensitive tip section to protect light tippets, a versatile
balance between lifting power and delicacy provides perfect synergy
for nymph fishing. A very effective tool for anglers that fish nymphs and
indicators wading or out of a boat. With a combination of power and feel,
R8 Core allows for intuitively better cast timing, easier line lifts and sharp,
precise mends leading to faster reaction times when setting the hook.
Streamers A powerful butt section easily throws a wide range
of streamers and accommodates a full lineup of sinking
tip lines while also quickly pulling aggressive fish out of
structure for increased landing success. The powerful butt
section of the R8 CORE provides stability, connectedness,
and power to rock and fire those one-shot casts.

Maximum control
Feel Greater circumferential strength, an advanced nano-sintered
resin application and a more resilient axial fiber allow us to re-profile
the dimensional taper to get thicker quicker from tip to butt.
Flow We’ve increased the purity of graphite in the rod for even more
reactivity and sensitivity, resulting in a true two-way connection that
returns greater feedback from the fly to the hand.
Control Rather than dialing up parking lot distance, we’ve slowed it
down to the roots of rhythm and awareness—where you can feel the
energy transfer happening in each moment.

Made to fish, not just cast
Mending With feel that extends to the smallest dry flies, R8
provides the touch to deliver efficient mends with intention
and precision.
Setting From subtle sips to streamer strikes, the amplified
sensitivity of R8 enables fine nibble feel that triggers instant,
instinctual reaction for trout sets or strip sets.
Fighting With a fish on, R8’s fusion of stronger backbone yet
greater feel enables you to control your fish, even from tough
structure, with touch and care.
Effortless energy transfer and more connected feel
Taper More progressive dimensional taper creates both a stronger, stiffer
backbone and a more heightened feel all the way to the tip of the rod.
Sweet Spot Shifted sweet spot creates a more natural extension of your arm
and delivers a more efficient transfer of energy resulting in less wasted effort.
Feedback Amplified two-way feedback loop due to our new axial fiber
formulation allows you to feel when the power needs to be applied throughout
the cast, presentation and when applying the appropriate pressure to fish.

For a review of the 9′ 5 weight R8 Core, check out our Blog post on The Fin.