Description

Sage’smost versatile and most popular rod model. The 590-4 handles trout flies of nearly any size, lines of varying densities and does so with superb feel, accuracy, and line control.

R8 Core is focused on maximum versatility and applies new revolutionary R8 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, R8 Core traces a direct lineage to Sage’s multi-application / fast action vision, one shaped by the fishing evolutions happening all around usfrom habitats we stalk and waters we frequent, to the flies we fish and the diversity of species we now target.

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
• Laser etched line weight on slide band
• Black rod bag with new quick-tie cord lock for faster, easier, and cleaner storage
• Aluminum rod tube with Sage medallion
• Premium Flor grade snub-nose half-wells cork handle
• Sustainable Ziricote wood insert with anodized aluminum up-locking reel seat

Technology

The advanced, leading-edge material behind R8 enables us to shape a rod with a stiffer, stronger backbone but a more sensitive tip and more connected feel. The secret is twofold. First, a proprietary aerospace composite with a greater hoop strength enables us to dimensionally grow taper diameter more quickly from the tipwhile a nano-sintered resin application increases axial resilience and allows us to pack more fiber into the blank, resulting in that true two-way connection from hand to fly and back for greater feel, flow and control.

• NEW AXIAL FIBER FORMULATION – 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 – resulting in better energy transfer and greater feel. Simply put – a better and more efficient “wiring” of energy.

• EFFORTLESS ENERGY TRANSFER – Elongated energy transfer shifts the sweet spot closer to the hand creating a more natural extension of your arm for greater range, quicker reactivity and less wasted effort.

• NEW CIRCUMFERENTIAL HOOP FIBER – Advanced hoop fibers hold blank in optimal cylindrical shape creating greater circumferential strength – continuously maintaining inherent taper profile while actively engaged or under tension.

Were not a big faceless factory, but rather a workplace of craftspeople who design and build the worlds best fly rods and reels using our hands and hearts. We do it by sharing ideas and always asking the next question to find what can be done to make this better. Our rods are built one at time right here on Bainbridge Island, WA, following hundreds of meticulous steps and passing through 23 sets of hands. Were out there fishing the same places in the same unforgiving conditions that you are. Craftsmanship is applied experience. Lifetimes of it.

Invitational Review

From the manufacturer: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance?
The R8 CORE was designed as an all-around tool that can do everything well: dries, nymphs, and streamers with a very slight underline on the dry fly fishing part. For the angler looking for an all-rounder that shines the most with dry flies fast action is great for fishing out of a moving boat and casting a variety of sizes of dry flies.

From the manufacturer: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod?

• RIO Gold WF5F

Caster Scores:

STREAMER COURSE – TOTAL SCORE 105/150

Sage R8 Core

30′ Cast

40′ Cast

50′ Cast

30′ Wind

40′ Wind

50′ Wind

Reach Cast 30′

Reach Cast 30′ Wind

Belgian Cast 30′

Belgian Cast 30′ Wind

FINAL SCORE

Caster 1

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

30

Caster 2

3.5

4

4

4

4

4

4

4

3.5

4

39

Caster 3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

4

4

3.5

4

3.5

4

37

Combined

10

10.5

10.5

10.5

11

11

10.5

11

10

11

106

DRY FLY COURSE – TOTAL SCORE 132.5/195

Sage R8 Core

20′ Cast

30′ Cast

40′ Cast

50′ Cast

20′ Wind

30′ Wind

40′ Wind

50′ Wind

Pile Cast 30′

Reach Cast 30′

Reach Cast 30′ Wind

False Cast 30′

False Cast 30′ Wind

FINAL SCORE

Caster 1

3

3

3

3.5

3

3

3

3.5

3

3

3

3

3

40

Caster 2

3

3.5

4

3.5

3.5

3.5

4

4

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

46

Caster 3

3

3.5

4

3.5

3

3.5

4

3.5

3.5

3.5

4

3.5

4

46.5

Combined

9

10

11

10.5

9.5

10

11

11

9.5

10

10.5

10

10.5

132.5

NYMPH COURSE – TOTAL SCORE 63.5/105

Sage R8 Core

Roll Cast 30′

Roll Cast 40′

Mend at 30′

Mend at 40′

Casting 20′

Casting 30′

Casting 40′

FINAL SCORE

Caster 1

3

2.5

3

3

3

3

3

20.5

Caster 2

3.5

3

3

3.5

2.5

3

3.5

22

Caster 3

3

3

3

3

2.5

3

3.5

21

Combined

9.5

8.5

9

9.5

8

9

10

63.5

Caster Notes:

Streamer Course | 7.5 3x leader with size 4 Zonker

• The taper doesnt match and I cannot time the load. Id prefer less power in the butt of the rod. I definitely think going up a line weight would help this rod perform. Good for the angler who likes a faster rod.

• Adapts well short to longer. Easy to be accurate; however, I would score higher but theres vibration in the rod/line. Lots and lots of power. This rod ranked very well in handling weight.

• Grip length and reel seat is good. Fast but smooth, tip good at all distances, but wish butt/mid were more involved for better feedback.

Dry Fly Course | 10 5x leader with size 14 Parachute Adams

• Works better with more line out of the rod tip.

• The rod has a good overall feel. I imagine it would be an excellent hopper, stonefly, and dry-dropper rod, but can also handle delicate presentation fine.

• This rod largely meets expectations. It still feels fast, but is smooth.

Nymph Course | 9 leader with size 8 Girdle Bug and size 16 BH Pheasant Tail

• Relatively OK at all distances, but I couldnt get the rod to bend at 40.

• Little clunky at 30, improves at 40. All around really nice, but could improve on the roll cast. Handled weight overhead fine, with some rods outperforming.

Yellow Dog Final Takeaway
The Sage R8 Core 5-weight is a fast, powerful rod that delivers strong performance across a range of trout applications, especially when casting with more line or handling heavier rigs. The rod placed fifth in the streamer course and tenth in the dry fly course, coming in at sixth in overall performance. It offers smooth power and easy accuracy from short to long distances, though some casters noted excessive stiffness in the butt and mid-section, leading to reduced feedback and a disconnect in timing. While it excels with hoppers, stoneflies, and dry-droppers, it can feel clunky at shorter ranges or when roll casting, and may benefit from being paired with a heavier line. Ideal for anglers who prefer a fast-action rod with high line speed and all-around capability, though not the most intuitive or tactile in hand.

Warranty

Every new Sage rod, blank and Sage series reel is covered by our lifetime, original owner warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.

This warranty is limited to repair and replacement of the rod, blank or reel and does not cover direct, indirect, consequential, incidental or any other type of damage resulting from the use of the product. This warranty does not cover fire, theft, missing rod sections, intentional breakage, modification or customization of the finished rod, or damage during the assembly of a blank into a finished rod. Warranty coverage on Sage blanks does not extend to any custom work or components added to the blanks. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.

Sage reserves the right to determine whether to repair or replace any Sage Product covered by this warranty and the right to replace any discontinued models with comparable models when necessary.Colors and components may vary between original and replacement parts.

The lifetime, original owner warranty against defects in materials and workmanship applies to rods with a serial # beginning with the letter “A” and higher, including all double letters (i.e. AA, AB, and AC). Should a breakage occur outside of warranty coverage (when its not the result of defects in materials or workmanship) a repair can usually be made for a fee.

One exception to this is the rods manufactured with a serial number Q, R, S or T. These rods carry an unconditional, original owner lifetime warranty.

PLEASE NOTE: Sage blanks are not serialized. Warranty coverage on rods built from Sage blanks is limited to the blank only.