A while back, someone suggested we contact Sage and suggest they bring back glass. Great idea and I just did so. The contact link is http://www.sageflyfish.com/Resources/Drop+Us+a+Line/
Tengas, Fenwick, and Marryat photo by Alpago |
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Sage glass request
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 Yeti |
Sage glass request |
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Sport
Posts: 71 (02/22/09 15:47:27) |
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tonemike |
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Master Guide
Posts: 595 (02/23/09 02:45:31) |
thanks for the reminder. i just did it too.
-mike |
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Lugan123 |
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Guide
Posts: 134 (02/24/09 18:52:56) |
Awesome idea. Here's what I wrote:
"I have been a long-time owner of numerous Sage rods. But you know what? I just have all the medium-to-fast (to pool-cue) graphite rods I'll ever need. I have every niche in my substantial arsenal filled. And they all have lifetime warranties, so I may never need to buy another one. "So a few years ago, I started trying bamboo and glass rods. Glass rods really struck a chord with me, especially for shorter lengths. One day recently I stumbled on a Sage SFL 679/3 from the late 1970's. It's now my favorite stick. "So my suggestion is this: Why not bring those back? Once your market for the niche bass/bluegill rods is saturated, it might be worthwhile to think about slowing things down a bit and really throwing the market something different. Plus, those SFL glass rods might be a way to get in step with the times as the economy probably forces the pace of life to slow a bit."
Life is easier if you plow around a stump.
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 Spencer DT |
done | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 146 (02/24/09 21:38:27) |
sent a great note to them on their space age blah blah blah and fast and faster rod marketing and how it doesn't appeal to a large niche of fly fishers and
asked for a glass offering.
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docbluedevil |
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Master Guide
Posts: 279 (02/26/09 00:40:39) |
I wonder how Sage would respond if we sent them an email signed with the names (or handles) of 1000 members on this forum.
After we convince Sage, let's go after Winston! |
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tonemike |
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Master Guide
Posts: 604 (02/26/09 03:30:55) |
i'm in DBD.
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flynbird |
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Master Guide
Posts: 250 (02/26/09 10:11:38) |
Maybe we can convince them they shouldn't charge $700+ for them either.
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docbluedevil |
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Master Guide
Posts: 281 (02/26/09 10:53:03) |
docbluedevil wrote: Logistically, it might be easier to start a new thread here on the forum with a "header letter" and members who are interested could just make a note/reply. Then we could email the web link to it to Sage. Yeti - I don't want to hijack your idea. If you'd like to do this, feel free to do so. If not, I'd be happy to start a thread. |
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hookjaw23 |
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Sport
Posts: 41 (02/26/09 12:16:39) |
I agreee w/ flynbird...
I doubt many on this board will be kicking out $700 for a new glass rod from Sage... if this happened they should keep the cosmetics simple, even old school like the originals... i couldnt see them going for less than what their Bass rods are selling at which is $400. in the end though the availability of blanks are what would get me excited... i like my 8'6" 6wt. but a few years ago i finished out a 7'6" 4wt and it is one sweet rod... -matt |
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docbluedevil |
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Master Guide
Posts: 284 (02/26/09 13:08:56) |
hookjaw
I imagine Sage would seek to be comparable to other big name maker's glass rods (i.e. Scott F-series @ $600). But we could always hope for less. |
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jgestar |
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Posts: 3359 (02/26/09 13:53:10) ezOP |
We're going to have to try a little harder to get the message through. If you send in a comment, use the "Ideas and Suggestions" catagory.
Also, make sure it says "Attention Jerry Siem" so the suggestion is routed to the gentleman who actually designs the rods.
Jerry Siem is aware that Sage made glass in the past, but that manufacturing was long gone before he started with the company. Right now, Sage doesn't have raw fiberglass or completed blanks from which to make rods. But I'm sure he will listen to suggestions. Sage didn't get to the top of the market by ignoring customers. Tom Edit: While we may scoff at a $600 price tag, prime examples of the Sage glass rods don't sell cheap. There was an auction for a mint condition SFL580 a couple years back where the final price was $1,100. The third and fourth bidders dropped out around $500ish. The seller told me the winning bidder paid for and took delivery on the rod - it wasn't a couple of eBay cranks. So, realistically, if Sage brought out a retro/remake version of the early 80s SFL rods, what should someone expect to pay?
Last Edited By: jgestar
02/26/09 14:03:20.
Edited 2 times.
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docbluedevil |
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Master Guide
Posts: 289 (02/26/09 14:55:25) |
jgestar wrote: In the first sentence or two of Tom Morgan's glass page on his website is the reference to the price of some Winston glass rods have gone for on ebay, which is "over $1000" in certain configurations. I think he used this figure to gauge his price for his completed rods which he asks $1200+ for. I wouldn't fault Sage to try to do the same, after all they're not a non-profit group. Plus, in a slumping economy, I'm sure Sage would be understandably reluctant to make any new capital investments. I personally think that Scott glass is too expensive and subsequently wouldn't buy it new. If Sage re-introduced glass at a similar price point to Scott glass, I wouldn't buy one either. Not sure how to convince Sage to sell it for less than Scott glass when they have to. I think it would be easier to convince them to build a "limited edition stock of 500 SFL rods." People would probably be more willing to pay up the nose for them then! If all 500 were bought up in a few days, well, they might then build more! |
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flynbird |
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Master Guide
Posts: 251 (02/26/09 15:30:02) |
I think any company making a glass rod is good and I guess they can charge what they want. I would rather order a rod from one of the many fine makers on this
forum. I would pay less, or not, and get a rod that I know was built for me not the masses. That is just my opinion though.
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Steelheader69 |
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Sport
Posts: 17 (02/28/09 12:02:48) |
Well, here comes the problems. They would have to redevelop their lines. Since I doubt alot of the same guys are still there who rolled their blanks from back
then. You still have to develop them up. Have to have the correct mandrels to roll them. Develop their actions, etc. Plus, to do all this, they'd need a
DEFINITE amount of orders or demands to even think about it. Having a bulk emailing with all our names is one thing, but actually having a guarantee "pre
order" is another.
I'd love to see it. I had an old Sage drift rod from way back (when Sage made drift rods as well). I loved it. Never had a glass blank flyrod from them though. I have tons of their graphite flyrods. Would be interesting though. Just a steelheader looking for that next hookup. |
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wb4tjh |
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Master Guide
Posts: 308 (03/02/09 13:11:52) |
The best part of Sage, or others making glass rods again would be the availability of more glass blanks. For someone like me, who is retired, on fixed income,
and raising a 13 year old granddaughter, getting a new rod these days usually means building it myself. If they would realize there is a market among
flyfishers for good, affordable glass rods, maybe they would respond with some new ones. If it sells, and they can make a profit on it, they will will make it.
That's the reality of manufacturing. But I know my days of buying $600+ glass or graphite rods is over.
Bill Anderson, Sarsota, Fl. "Bamboo is the Benchmark in flyrods". |
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docbluedevil |
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Master Guide
Posts: 296 (03/02/09 15:47:41) |
wb4tjh - If Sage offered glass blanks, I'm guessing they would start near $300 which is what most of their graphite blanks go for.
McFarland and Steffen blanks sell for much less (~$150), and you can them in just about any configuration you want. |
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frogmorton |
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Master Guide
Posts: 251 (03/02/09 16:37:10) |
I think if Sage entered the fiberglass market at the same price Scott did, was it $425?, they'd sell alot of glass. Scott couldn't keep up with demand
when the F rods were priced in the $400's. I wonder how many they're selling at $595.
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scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1285 (03/02/09 17:00:55) |
Realistically, I don't see Sage making an all glass rod. They've created an empire convincing folks that faster is better and graphite is "black
gold"! What message would they be sending if they turned around and endorsed using e-glass? LOL! I could see them doing a rod with some glass in
it though, as long as it's fairly fast. As far as glass goes, I'm surprised more rod makers don't incorporate glass into the monster rods. An
8' 14wt. made with lots of glass would make sense!
Last Edited By: scud dog
03/02/09 17:03:08.
Edited 1 times.
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- Welcome, Messages, Claves, News, and FAQs
- Fishing with Fiberglass Fly Rods
- Glass Tech
- Collecting Fiberglass Fly Rods
- What's New on the Market
- Rod Pictures
- Classic Fly Reels
- Another Spin on Glass
- Rod Building & Tackle Tinkering
- The Tying Bench
- Fiberglass Fly Rods For Sale
- Fiberglass Fly Rods Wanted
- Fiberglass Flyrodders Wiki
