Great honest review as usual Ben, thank you. I agree it’s expensive for what it is but it does have the Sage brand name on it

Yes

Really looked at this reel hard, but chose to by the Galvan Brookie. Less money and made in USA.

These reels are a blast.

I own several of the original Sage Click reels (they made 3 sizes and 2 colors) back when they were made in S. Korea at the same factory as some of the other expensive Sage reels (and they were considerably less cost back then too). I did buy them primarily for proper weight balance on my shorter fly rods. I have several fly rods between 5’9” to 7’ and most other reels are too heavy for those rods. That’s where these reels really shine, a 6’ or 6 1/2’ graphite fly rod and Click reel with line can have a total weight of less than 6 oz., and these super light outfits are lots of fun with small fish. They have held up very well, although the smallest size doesn’t hold much backing, but if you are using a 3 wt line or lighter, that’s OK. The Galvan Brookie was introduced later on, and are very nice, probably a better value because they were lower in price, although the drag adjustment on those is done with a small Allen wrench key. The drag adjustment on neither one of these reels gives you very much range, but the Brookie was available in more colors.

@g.r.murphy8633

5 ай бұрын

I understand what you are saying about the drag on the Galvan Brookie, but what I use the reel for the adjustment is a "Set it and Forget it" situation. You see I got the reel for Blue Line Streams so most of the time I will have less than 10 to 12 feet of line out at a time. If for some reason I do need more drag I can always "Palm" the reel.

@barry4fish

5 ай бұрын

@@g.r.murphy8633Yeah, I have the Brookie on some really small UL fly rods I would never need a drag for anything more than just preventing a backlash if a fish took out line, so mine are more-or-less set and forget too, I might have initially tightened my largest one when it was new, otherwise I haven’t had to touch them, they are great fun.

I really considered buying one of these but its just too overpriced. Ended up witt a Hardy Ultralite FWDD, great reel and about £100 cheaper.

$330 for a chinese made click and pawl. nope. Galvan Brookie is around $300, made in California. Ross Colorado is $375 and made in Colorado. Love sage rods but their reels are overpriced for being made overseas.

@nestoroniFL

5 ай бұрын

I personally think they’re all overpriced. Wild how pricey these reels are… they’re just click and pawls after all. Not like there’s some wild sealed carbon drag technology, or pricey cork system. I get that it’s CNCed bar stock, but it’s just insane.

@gregb8824

5 ай бұрын

In time you may come to realize their rods are overpriced as well.

You don't need a drag reel for 5 or 6wt rods, not even for bonefish. Not sure why people think you have to have a drag for most fresh and light saltwater fly fishing.

@pickledud7703

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely, even on my nautilus reels, I trun the drag down and palm the spool. Many don't like that but I find it gives a lot more flexibility to vary pressure according to how my line you have out. Plus the popular bonefish hooks I've tested open up at about 8lbs.

Danielsson dry fly= much better and not made in China.