99 499-4 - Sage Fly Rods - Fishing Gear Reports - Trout's Fly Fishing

Gear Reports - 99 499-4

99 499-4 by Sage Fly Rods
99 499-4 by Sage Fly Rods

Manufacturer: Sage Fly Rods

Product: 99 499-4

Retail Price: $ 699.00

Tester: Kyle Murphy

Rating: 5 / 5 - A Must Have
5 / 5 - A Must Have

Date Tested: Oct. 13, 2009 - Oct. 19, 2009

Test Area: South Platt River "Dream Stream"

What they say:
A day of multi-bug rigs, wind-resistant indicators and the requisite high-stick rod position can be enough to make your arm fall off before lunch. But the fact is, there simply isn't a more reliable, effective technique for finding big fish. Which is why we created the 99. Built with the same advanced G5 Technology as our Z-Axis rods, the most obvious nymph-specific feature of the 99 is its namesake 9-foot, 9-inch length, which makes short work of long, drag-free drifts. But that's just the beginning. The 99's unique taper loads lower on the blank to generate open loops, helping avoid tangles with multiple fly and indicator rigs. At the same time, a stiffer tip section handles heavy payload delivery but retains the sensitivity needed to detect subtle takes. The 99s also feature slightly oversized guides specifically placed to make stack mending, shake-out and line feeding easier. Put it all together and you have a light, perfectly balanced rod that casts like a 9-footer but fishes like a 10. High-Stickers rejoice!

What we say:
As a life long tailwater fisherman I have been around enough to know what the benefits of a longer rod are and would agree that Sage defined them clearly. This rod certainly lives up to the manufacturers description but would say that in itself does not give the 99 justice. This rod is a very powerful rod that in case can throw streamers in the wind... Yes that's right multiple. If your fishing multiple flies on a regular basis then this rod is for you. Although nine inches seems small in the grand scheme of things, it truly makes a difference when you want to reach out and extend that drift into the sweet spot. It does not hesitate to work for you! It will open up your loops so that there is less work to be done and more fishing to be had. The power produced is incredible and the Sage 99 did not hesitate when it came to punching those flies through the south park wind. With all that produced power sensitivity remained and was very impressed with how well it was transferred from the tip to the cork.

Last minute thoughts:
It will move the groceries from the car to the counter and prepare the main course!