This little rod is perfect for fishing a narrow stream or shoreline. This rod scored really low in a recent 5wt "shootout". I’ve been an avid fly fisherman for about 50 years and now live in Oregon. There is plenty of power but even more finesse. Now I need to go and see if I can cast this one side by side the G-Series. That said, there’s nothing about its design that would prevent you from effectively drifting an indicator or throwing a streamer—two things that many of us also like to do when chasing, well...trout. Robert Morselli replied on Sun, 01/05/2020 - 20:19 Permalink. Providing delicate touch and medium action--designed with the trout angler and dry flies in mind. It will make excellent slack line casts, and is the Sage … Thoughts? If your primary goals are laying down the pinpoint, delicate casts, setting up the perfect drift, and nail a top-feeding fish, the TROUT LL is a helluva good choice. This is a highly versatile rod that excels in every lightline situation. Buy It Now. Each time I cast, I started with fly in hand and worked it out over 50 feet. But most importantly, it performs like an $800 rod ought to. Review: I had a super experience shopping online and over the phone. The Sage Trout LL: A Legend Reborn Posted by Nick Teynor on Mar 27th 2020 The Sage fly rod company has been synonymous with making premium fast action fly rods for the last two decades. Craftsmanship is applied experience. It all sounds as though the wheel has been reinvented. While I now own several fine Sage rods, I still often use my LL when delicate presentations are in order. Ed DeSeve replied on Mon, 08/05/2019 - 14:18 Permalink. I didn't see enough to spend the $800 but encourage those of you without an LL to do so. The Konnetic HD mahogany blank comes with Fuji ceramic stripper guides and chrome snake guides wrapped with bronze primary and gold trim thread wraps. It responds immediately and accurately, and because the rod recovers so quickly, it allows you to make split-second adjustments without fighting collapsing loops. While there are many anglers who love to fish quicker rods, there has always been a population of anglers who prefer rods with a little more “soul”. I fish one and think it's a stellar fly rod. Drawing inspiration from historic Sage rods of the past, the TROUT LL is a nod toward tradition with a classic appearance and a smooth casting taper, yet adds modern performance features in accuracy and loop control through the backbone of Konnetic HD blank material. We do it by sharing ideas and always asking the next question to find what can be done to make this better. He's a master explainer and can turn seemingly complex topics like rod actions, line weights, tapers, casting strokes, and the lot, into something logical and digestible. Designed specifically for lightweight trout fishing, the SAGE Trout LL is a medium action rod that makes every fight fun. Having cast and fished many of the big-name trout rods in the game, I would certainly say that the TROUT LL deserves to be uttered in the same breath by nearly every metric. This is the Sage you want for Trico's and spent caddis on 15 foot leaders. When this rod hit the market, my first thought was, "Finally a classic looking rod that doesn't sport an ugly white bumper sticker on it so everyone on the river knows what I'm fishing!" The Trout LL Series has been designed with the trout angler and dry flies in mind. Do I own many flagship rods? I also tend to spend most days on the water fishing tailwaters in the freezing cold to avoid crowds. You can also cast the 9-6 which I use mainly for big bugs. When you’re talking about high-end, premium fly rods, it's hard not to compare them. Case in point: the Sage TROUT LL. My fly shop buddy explained that while some might confuse a deeper loading or slower rod action with "feel," that is not really the case. Sage Trout LL Series Fly Rods. This deeper flex and faster recovery greatly improves your perception of the rod’s load (what some might describe as feel), which ripples into pretty much every aspect of your casting and fishing. Just as noteworthy casting prowess is the control the TROUT LL provides on the water. Brand New. Great job Sage! Perfect for drifting dries to fish slurping meals off the surface, the Sage® Trout LL Fly Rod boasts a through-blank taper optimization you'll appreciate when tossing small flies with precise accuracy matters most. One of the smoothest casting rods made. chuck replied on Thu, 01/02/2020 - 21:50 Permalink. This rod was in production at Sage for 11 years, from 1986 - 1997. Building upon proprietary construction techniques developed for Konnetic Technology, KonneticHD gives us an elevated platform to achieve new levels in rod design. Cast next to some very nice rods from a variety of manufacturers, I just kept coming back to this rod and that always says a lot. A supple tip gives way to a smooth easy-loading mid-section that increases feel and feedback throughout the casting stroke. The Trout LL is medium action with tons of feel throughout the stroke and has a soft enough tip to accommodate fishing very light tippet on long leaders. Free shipping. Sage decided to go down this dangerous path with the launch of the Trout Light Line (Trout LL) series of rods. Wherever you’re fishing, the medium action is delicate enough to drop flies on spooky trout yet powerful enough to reach across the river and turn over long mends with relative ease. I was very unimpressed with the review and seriously wondered about the writers qualifications. I would buy the new LL Trout but for the fact I could not afford the divorce lawyer after the purchase! Sage Trout LL Fly Rods are the perfect choice as an all-purpose trout rod in small creeks to medium size rivers. 379-4, 389-4, 486-4, 490-4, 586-4, 590-4, 690-4. I've fished a friend's Sage 490-4 Trout LL and its action could be characterized as medium fast. The TROUT introduces a reel designed for the … It is a tool of lethal precision, excelling in the 30-60’ range with any type of leader or fly. Would be great to compare it to the late Sage Circa. The Sage Trout LL hit the market in mid-2019 as the standout choice for Best Freshwater Fly Rod at the 2019 IFTD (fly-fishing industry tradeshow). Based on looks alone, you’d be hard-pressed to guess the price tag from across the river, but in the hands of a competent angler, you’ll likely be able to tell once they start fishing. Tip: Stop Grossly Overpaying for Wading Boot Studs, Hurricane Maria killed mangroves months after the storm. Sage brought it back from the dead last year, now referred to as the Trout LL. On paper, the Sage TROUT LL is a series of specialized medium-action rods ranging from a 7’9” 3wt to a 9’ 6wt which draw inspiration from the trout-focused Light Line rods of the past. And when we further narrow the topic of conversation to making perfect casts, mends, and drifts on tough, dry-fly-sipping trout, being armed with a rod from that premium tier can truly make a difference (I can hear the frantic typing of the keyboard warriors already). Though labeled “slow” it’s definitely faster than the original LL series. The longest running production time for a Sage rod ever. Drawing inspiration from historic Sage rods of the past, the TROUT LL is a nod toward tradition with a classic appearance and a smooth casting taper, yet adds modern performance features in accuracy and loop control through the backbone of Konnetic HD blank material. Through blank taper optimization and specialized length offerings, the TROUT LL is perfected for wade fishing, closer casts, small flies, and light tippets. "Sage Trout LL 490" James J on . We’re out there fishing the same places in the same unforgiving conditions that you are. From a prolific PMD hatch on your favorite local creek with the 389-4 to huge Salmonflies on the famed Henry’s Fork with the 690-4, the TROUT LL series has the right rod to ensure that you’re fly is presented delicately and with precision, keeping even the most wary of trout unaware of your presence. With a delicate touch and medium action, the TROUT LL family has been designed with the trout angler and dry flies in mind. $850.00. In terms of quality of the product and performance on the water, the TROUT LL is a premium piece of kit. Sage call the Trout LL a ‘dry fly’ rod, but after testing it with both large and small wool indicators on long leaders, I would suggest it would also be fine throwing even moderately heavy double nymph rigs at realistic distances and would easily turn over medium bass flies on stouter tippets. Having used a variety of Sage rods in the past, and most recently fishing my 5wt RPL, this is a serious upgrade and one I'm glad I made. It would be a nice match for the new Sage Trout LL. It has what every fly reel should have: durability, smooth drag, large arbor, counterbalance and a sweet sound. The Sage TROUT. Through blank taper optimization and specialized length offerings, the TROUT LL is perfected for wade fishing, closer casts, small flies, and light tippets. Their click-and-pawl reels are among the most sought-after collectibles in the sport, and it’s... I’m going to make a statement that may surprise you, but that I’m convinced is absolutely true. At the time it was a lot of money and for many years it was the rod I used 99% of the time. I was actually surprised in the Trout LL's action in the half hour that I fished it. A relatively supple tip maximizes light tippet protection and gives way to a smooth easy-loading mid-section that increases feel and feedback throughout the casting stroke. Brian Hyatt replied on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 19:38 Permalink. Sage's new TROUT LL series of fly rods is a new lineup that's geared towards dry fly anglers seeking the utmost in presentation quality. My somewhat impatient run and gun style of trout fishing — largely now from drift boats and rafts — generally lends itself better to a faster rod. As someone who has been around a while, I know the original well and actually owned a 9ft 4wt. I had not had the privilege of owning the original LL, and that was why I was there—for some shop chatter with those who had. 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