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Sage 6129-4 VXP Rod, Deschutes Steelhead Fly Directory, Wading Traction |
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Sage 6129-4 VXP Spey
Rod By: Mark Bachmann |
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"What! A six-weight Chinook rod...you gotta' be kidding!"
We're not kidding ,...but this isn't your average 6-weight Spey Rod either. |
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The 6129-4 VXP is a new design direction for Sage. As a
matter of fact, it might fit a new category of of two-hander. In
the past, two-hand rods were placed into several specialized
categories. Each model was designed with a specific task
relating to a specific kind of fish, certain size of water, or
a certain casting approach. Rods have been assigned to many designations
in an attempt
to explain the role they were meant to play. Two-Hand rods
normally are tagged with designations such as: "European",
"American", "Scandinavian", "Scani", "Skagit", "Beach",
"Overhead", and "Spey". The 6129-4 VPX fits all of these
categories...easily. We could call it a "Universal Spey" rod, the two-hand rod that does everything. It make a lot of sense considering the the VXP is designed to be a high end entry level series. I first ran into this critter at Summer Steelhead PHD 2010 on the Deschutes River. Simon Gawesworth brought a 6129-4 VXP to the party. He had it loaded with a 435-grain Rio Steelhead Scandi line, which was a very good match for the kind of fishing we do the most of on the Deschutes, presenting small wet flies in the film. The new rod fit the size of the river, size of the fish and size of the flies we were using. It was popular with our students. I finally got my 6129-4 VXP in November, too late for the Deschutes for me. I had just spent three and a half months camping there. The weather was turning cold and my attention was drawn to the west side of the Cascades, where newer, brighter fish were expected in the Sandy River. The winter of 2011 was rough and tumble, with many floods and freezes. Fishing conditions were incredibly challenging much of the time. Most of my December/January schedule was lost to bad water conditions. In January, we started our Winter Steelhead School season. Our first on-the-water session was held with muddy water up in the willows. Josh Linn did a very impressive clinic on how to "dead-stop" roll cast when standing waist deep and completely surrounded by willows. His weapon of choice was a Sage 5126-4 Z-AXIS loaded with a 400-grain Skagit Short and 11' of T-14. With this combo Josh showed how to pull a very shallow D-loop straight up out of the willows turn it at right angles over his shoulder and send it out over the water to ranges of seventy feet. I thought, "Sweet! I've got to set up an outfit for that trick." I own many two-hand rod set-ups. Normally five complete set-ups are stored inside Harding rod/reel cases which are placed five-at-a-time, inside specially designed waterproof bags. Normally one five-rod-system-set is carried in the cat-boat I use during winter trips, and two sets are carried in the jet boat I use during the summer. Each rod/reel set up is designed for a specific task. As many as twenty combinations might rotate through my "boat-bags" during the season. During the winter my rod combos are assembled to cast certain size flies and work best for certain kinds of water conditions. Primarily each rod is selected to throw a specific type of sinking tip. I carry T-8 rods, T-11 rods, T-14 rods and T-17 rods. Outfits that launch 2 1/4" tube flies with 13' of T-11 get the most use. I rigged up the 6129-4 VXP as a T-11 rod and mated it with a 450-grain Rio Skagit Flight as prescribed by the Sage Cook Book. It was found to be an adequate, but unexciting performer. Even when paired with my favorite gold colored Sage 6010 reel, it displayed a blah personality. Josh Linn advised that more grains were needed. My next move was a 480-grain Skagit compact from Airflo. There was a noticeable increase in user friendliness, but still nothing to set the 6129-4 apart from the crowd. So the next move was to add even more grains with a 525-Skagit Flight. Whammo! What a difference. Launching big flies to the other side of the river, even while wading deep, was no problem. The next move was to try a 525-grain Skagit Short to see if tweaking the outfit further would produce benefits. It worked well too, and proved to be the best pick for shorter range casting with very large flies, or where casting room was very restricted (such as Josh's water-in-the-willows trick). But the Flight gave me more overall range, and is my present favorite for fishing deep sunk flies with the Sage 6129-4 VPX rod. Now it's time to head back to the Deschutes. Both a Rio Steelhead Scandi 435-grain and a Rio Skagit flight 525-grain with sinking tips will be carried. Guaranteed both line types will get plenty of action. |
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| The new VXP combines the performance and power of Sage's renowned (discontinued) XP rod Series, but utilizing newer materials for a thinner profile and quicker recovery. The result? An exceptionally light, lively fly rod that generates high line speed for easy casting distance and wind penetration. In keeping with the versatility theme, each VXP is built with a specific taper to meet the particular performance needs of a lot of different lines. The handles on the VXP Series are smaller in diameter and more streamlined than previous Sage two-hand rods. For most anglers this gives a better sense of connectedness, which produces more finger tip control and less casting fatigue. |
| Length: 12' 9" Line: #6 Pieces: 4 | ||||||
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Don't think this is just a
lightweight summer rod. The 6129-4 VXP has plenty of punch to
propel all but the largest winter flies. Rod weight: 7 3/4 Ounces. |
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| Item | Series | Line Wt. | Action | Handle | Price | To Top |
| 6129-4 | VXP | 6 | Medium-Fast | T | $595 | SALE ENDED |
| Wading Traction |
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The selection of footwear is of prime
importance to the wading angler. Traction determines the anglers'
performance and safety. If you're slipping and sliding, it is hard to cast
accurately and you're not very stealthy. If you're falling down and getting
wet you're uncomfortable. A good pair of wading shoes supports your feet and
protects your ankles. A great pair of wading shoes also provides a stable
platform from which to cast and present the fly...and land fish. |
 Featured here are a pair of Simms Guide Boots after 20-months of use by a hard working professional fly fishing guide. After this picture was taken all worn cleats & studs were replaced (some for the second time). |
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| Your choice of wading shoes and how you maintain them will determine how you perform as an angler. Traction and foot comfort determines how you cast, how well you wade, and how long you can fish. To be at your best, your wading shoes have to fit snugly for maximum support and protection. If you are sliding around inside your shoes while wading a swift stream, you are in jeopardy. Your shoes are your first line of defense against fatigue. While wading, you need soles that stick to the bottom of the river. Studs and cleats of all kinds wear out. But if you wear Vibram soles they can be replaced easily. Bring your shoes to use. We will be glade to install/replace studs, etc. | |
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Simms Guide Boot
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| StreamTread Vibram, Exclusive on Simms Wading Shoes | |
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The exclusive Simms sole uses the Vibram® patented 360 lug that provides traction in all directions and is easy to clean. All StreamTread™ soles can accept Simms HardBite™ Boot Studs made specifically for rubber soles. The combination of the removable studs and the StreamTread™ sole offers superior traction, even on big steelhead rivers, which are notoriously slick and swift.. |
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| Stud Service Available (Hard Bite Studs, AlumiBite and Star Cleats installed) |
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| Item | Description | Size | Price | To Top |
| SGB1090007 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 7 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SGB1090008 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 8 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SGB1090009 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 9 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SGB1090010 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 10 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SGB1090011 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 11 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SGB1090012 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 12 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SGB1090013 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 13 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SGB1090014 | Simms Guide Boot, StreamTread Vibram Soles | 14 | $199.95 | SALE ENDED |
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RIVERSHED™ BOOT with STREAMTREAD™
Soles ECO-CONSCIOUS DESIGN FOR RESPONSIBLE ANGLERS. Invasive species such as mud snails and didymo have become a growing threat to the health of trout populations and aquatic ecosystems throughout the world. And, unfortunately, anglers have played a part in the spread, unintentionally transporting them among different watersheds on their wading boots and other fishing gear. The problem is now well-known in the fishing community and at Simms, they've taken the matter to heart. That’s why they’ve introduced the new CleanStream™ design. CleanStream™ is a design philosophy that runs through their line of wading boots. It doesn’t refer to any specific product or feature. Rather, it describes a combination of features they employ to assist anglers in doing their part to prevent the spread of invasive species. Products with the CleanStream™ design feature materials that are more resistant to “hitchhiking” organisms and have less exposed stitching, fewer ridges and pockets that could potentially hide stowaways. In addition to making fishing gear easier to clean, Simms encourages all anglers to inspect and clean their gear after every outing to help prevent the spread of invasive species. |
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| Item | Description | Size | Price | To Top |
| SRB1090007 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 7 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SRB1090008 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 8 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SRB1090009 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 9 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SRB1090010 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 10 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SRB1090011 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 11 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SRB1090012 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 12 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SRB1090013 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 13 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
| SRB1090014 | Simms Rivershed Boot with Streamtread Soles | 14 | $179.95 | SALE ENDED |
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Wading Shoes ... to give you traction & protect your feet... |
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Korkers Chrome Boot $199.99 NEW FOR 2011!!! |
Korkers Metalhead Boot $149.99 NEW FOR 2011!!! |
Korkers Redside Boot $99.99 NEW FOR 2011!!! |
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Korkers Fisherman's Moc $69.95 |
Korkers Cross Current Reg. $89.99 NOW $53.99 |
Korkers Predator Boots Reg. $149.95 NOW $89.99 |
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Simms Guide Boot $199.95 |
Simms Rivershed Boot |
Stud Service Available |
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Redington Skagit Boot $89.95 NEW FOR 2011!!! |
Float Tube Booties $34.95 |
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Related Pages |
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| Waders | Korkers Wading Shoes | Socks |
| Wader Accessories | Boot Foot Waders | Underwear |
The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR
1(800)
266-3971
Fish long & prosper,
Mark & Patty
