Sage rods

[bmik]

I am a Sage fan. I am looking to add an 8'6"; 4 pc; 5wt rod to my collection. I would prefer a medium fast or moderate fast action that has reasonable tippet protection, but that can handle a weighted wooly bugger pretty well, so it can't be a soft action rod.
I am tracking a few rods on ebay. I don't think my accountant (wife) will let me buy the SLT. I am considering building on a VPS or RPL blank. But can someone give me some insight to the SP and SPL rods? :?: Thanks

[BROOK TROUT BULLY]

I have a sage SPL in a 9' 4wt. I really like it. If sage wasnt so expensive I would have another. If your looking to protect light tippets, you will have no trouble with the SPL. However, its very soft and doesnt cast heavy flies that great.

[catchnrelease]

Aside from the SLT, the VPS (RPL) is IMO the next best all arounder trout rod they make... Love my SP's too, but if I could only have one I think I would have to defer to the old tried and true RPL taper. SPL is really at the height of it's game with dry flies.

[bmik]

Did I mention that my second favorite manufacturer is Loomis? :wink:
I test cast the SLT at the show over the weekend and it was very sweet; just what I wanted. But no one was making any deals at the show and I was tracking a couple on ebay so I wasn't looking to buy that day.
I was wandering around the Shu Fly booth and was looking at the Loomis Streamdance and Metolious rods and as I was talking with one of the booth guys he offered to save me some money. I went back over to the Loomis booth and test cast the Streamdance 4 & 5 wt HLS and Presentation rods. Short story long...I really liked the 5 wt Presentation rod. As nice as the Sage was, this was as good, and maybe better for what I was looking for. I am now the proud and anxious to fish owner of a Loomis GLX Streamdance Presentation, 9ft, 5wt, 4 piece.
And at a very good price! :D :D Now I may sell my 5wt Trident rod.