Sage

When Sage began production in 1978, they made rods from both graphite and S-glass.  Don Green, the company founder, designed and produced rods at Lamiglas, Grizzly, and Fenwick.  Don knew glass rods.  But at Sage, the company focus was graphite.  The glass rods were never strongly marketed and were only sold for a few years.  The S-glass rods have since become a collectors items.  Even the unfinished blanks sell for more than most other factory glass rods.

To quote the company catalog "The Sage fly rods utilize the high-modulus S-Glass fiberglass which transmits unexcelled power for longer casts with less effort, while approaching graphite sensitivity....  Sage rods are designed to drive a narrower, more controlled loop for greater distance and accuracy combined with a minimal-tailing loop.  The Sage action animates rods that are designed to help the beginning caster, enhance the average fisherman's efforts, and excite the expert."

The blanks are tip over butt, glass ferruled, semi-translucent brown.  A distinct spiral pattern can be seen in the glass.  The blanks are smooth and clear finished.  Factory rods are equipped with chrome snake guides, chrome tiptop, and chrome plated strippers with a black shock ring and brown ceramic insert.  The primary wraps are dark brown with lighter brown tipping and an epoxy finish.  The downlocking reelseat is a clear finish aluminum with double lock rings, a walnut insert, and a black rubber end cap.  The grip is cork shaped to a simple cigar form.  The factory rods have a Sage logo and rod information silk screened in white ink just above the rod grip.  There is also a very discreet serial number in black ink on the butt section opposite the logo.  The rod bag is medium brown with dark brown edging and stitching.  The Sage logo is silk screened onto the bag and the rod model number appears to be stamped on.

Model Number          Length and No. of Sections                      Suggested Line Weight

    SFL476                     7½ foot, 2 piece                                       4/5 weight line

    SFL580                     8 foot, 2 piece                                          5/6 weight line

    SFL686                     8½ foot, 2 piece                                       6/7 weight line

    SFL789                     8' 9", 2 piece                                            7/8 weight line

    SFL990                     9 foot, 2 piece                                          9 weight line

    SFL1290                   9 foot, 2 piece                                          12 weight line (possibly only sold as a blank)

    SFS679-3                 7' 9", 3 piece                                            6/7 weight line

Much of this information was taken from Johnson & Johnson and The Complete Angler's Catalog (see the references page)

Trivia buffs:  The company first sold products labeled "Winslow" but changed the name to "Sage" soon after.