Sage Launch

Prior to taking over the ownership of Hunting & Fishing New Zealand's Wellington based franchise (Hutt Valley), Peter Fowler (pictured on left) and Charlie McFarlane have had plenty to do with Sage Fly Rods - particularly when knee deep in their favourite North Island trout streams.

Being accomplished anglers, Charlie and Peter both fish with the Sage Z-Axis (testfired by Mike Davis last spring), however there is an interesting and affordable option for those just getting into fly fishing and not ready for the $1000-00 investment in the top end. Sage built into the Launch Rod and Rod/Reel Combo, features specifically designed to make fly casting easy. We asked Peter and Charlie to Testfire the Sage Launch and report on what it offered those getting into fly fishing.

The three years Sage spent developing the ground breaking G5 technology clearly identified to them that the key to better casting is the ability to feel the rod 'load'.

The anglers at Sage saw the need for a purpose built rod for anglers starting out and they used much of what they had learned on the G5 project when they designed the new Launch series. Launch rods needed to have a smooth progressive power curve, and an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio. Loosely translated, the Sage Launch rods have been designed to provide an exceptional level of line 'connection' or feel. Anglers of all abilities will learn to cast better and with more ease when they fish with a Sage Launch.

The Launch is every bit the genuine USA made Sage rod despite the awesome price tag - 2 piece rods are just $299-99! Your Sage Launch is hand built along side the Z-Axis and other famous models in Sage's plant at Bainbridge Island, WA. The launch is furnished beautifully with wood reel seat inserts, chrome plated snake guides and high-grade Portuguese cork. Line weights range from 3 to 9, and there are 2 and 4 piece options.

Since teaming up with Sage 12 months ago, Hunting & Fishing New Zealand has been blown away with the popularity of the Sage Launch Combo. This is a factory matched rod/reel from Sage and offers the perfectly balanced fly fishing set-up for an angler starting out or moving up from a basic outfit (Sage combos are priced from only $599-99).

Sage matches the Launch Fly Rod we have just described with their 1600 Series Large Arbor Sage Reel. The 1600 is light and powerful - featuring a true high-end drag system capable of stopping even the XL sized lunkers which are a feature of many New Zealand rivers.

Rio have been selected by Sage to provide a high quality floating Fly Line, Backing and even a Leader for the ultimate "Just add water" - ready to fish package deal.

There is one more great addition to this combo which will ensure that it lasts for generations. There's a Bonus, for purchasing as a combo, Sage provide each Launch package in its own protective Rod/Reel Travel Case - itself worth around $70 alone! Launch combos are available in 5, 6 and 8 weight, all are 4 piece for convenience.

Lifetime Warranty

A frequently asked question in-store relates to the Sage Lifetime Warranty. We can confirm that Sage take the risk of breakage away. While you will be devastated if that favourite rod gets smashed in a car door for example, unbelievably the Sage Lifetime Warranty covers such accidents and extends the Warranty to ALL Sage Rods, Reels and Blanks so long as you are the original owner.

Should you ever have an accident, bring the damaged item into store, including the broken parts. We pass on to you, the small handling fee (around $50) for the item to be sent by courier to Sage and depending on the nature of the problem, we could have you back on the river in not much more than a week as some spare Sage rod sections for example are held here in New Zealand.