Sage TCX Fly Fishing Rods

Sage TCX Fly Fishing Rods in-stock, no sales tax - $50 orders ship free in USA.

Sage TCX Ultra-Fast Action Fly Fishing Rods
Check out the Sage DeathStar (7126-4 TCX) chronicles...

Dr. Steve White puts the DeathStar to work...

Sage TCX Freshwater Rods

The Wow Cast. The Holy Smokes Cast. The highly coveted Are You Kidding Me Cast. These are just a few of the new casts Sage discovered during the development of the new, ultra-high-performance TCX Series rods. Evolved from the popular TCR Series, TCX rods redefine the extreme distance category, as Sage continues to push the outer boundaries of fly rod performance.

Sage TCX Heavy-duty freshwater and saltwater rods.

Our rep George Cook explained TCX as being much like the TCR, but whithout the harsh personality. Our test of TCX rods revealed them to be extremely easy to cast with. Even members of our staff who usually shun fast action rods were impressed with how smooth TCX rods cast. To harness the expanded energy produced by Sage's advanced Generation-5 Technology, rod designer Jerry Siem created a radical new series of tapers and a fly rods that are lighter, stronger and more powerful than its TCR predecessor. Most importantly, the enhanced line feel and feedback mean intuitively better timing and an extraordinary level of casting ease for ultra-high-performance fly rods.
Whether you're reaching for previously impossible lies, bombing it into a stiff Nor'Easter or showing off in the parking lot, the TCX provides skilled anglers with the ultimate tool for success when facing the most challenging situations. The question is, what kind of amazing new casts will YOU make with them?

A Report on Sage's New 7126-4 TCX SuperSpey Buy Now!
By: Simon Gawesworth

Simon Gawesworth and Dr. Craig Stemmer at Summer Steelhead Ph.D 2009

Simon Gawesworth instructs Dr. Craig Stemmer in the art of performing the V-loop.

For a few months during the summer of 2009 there were whispers in the wind of a new #7 weight spey rod from Sage. Rumors spread out from the North West of something special, something unlike any #7 spey rod that Sage had built in the past. Various reps, casting instructors and Sage staff would make reference to the impending release of this weapon, and would back up this claim with sly smiles and “just wait until you try it” comments.

Much as I love the lighter spey rods, particularly in the #7 & #8 sizes, I treated this with some skepticism. After all, I have tried numerous #7 rods that had been lauded and heralded by many of the same people that just were not what I liked in a rod. I like fast, responsive, light and most of the other #7 rods I have used have been soft, deeper flexing and just to “blah” for me. My yard stick has always been the Thomas and Thomas 13 ft #7, 3 piece rod and time and time again new rods have failed to match up to the action of this rod for me – and I have used this rod for more than 10 years.

I finally got the chance to fish this new Sage rod on a 4 day camping trip to the Deschutes in September 2009 with the folks out of The Fly Fishing Shop in Oregon. The trip was a mix of spey school and fishing school for a small group of passionate and would-be-passionate steelheaders.

The rod is part of Sage’s TCX series and is 12’ 6” long, rated for a #7. Like the rest of the TCX series, this is one powerful rod, with plenty of guts in the middle sections and a fast, responsive tip. I played with the rod during the day time casting sessions with an assortment of Skagit Flight shooting heads (new lines from RIO for 2010) and then took it off one morning for a serious trial with WindCutter lines and AFS heads.

This rod takes a surprisingly large range of line weights. I cast and fished this with WindCutter lines from 6/7/8 to 8/9/10 and it works well with all of them. For European style casters the 6/7/8 would feel nice, the 7/8/9 feels lovely to me, yet the 8/9/10 loaded the rod deeply and made for easy casting and would certainly be a great choice for a novice caster, trying to find the feel of this rod. Similarly, the 7/8 AFS was a stonking good line on this rod, but the 8/9 loaded it up beautifully and, again, would be a better call for someone who likes to feel the rod load. The 6/7 was a touch light on the rod, especially for the winds we had on some of the days, but I know many casters that would find the 6/7 the line of choice here.

As far as Skagit lines go, the real winner was the Skagit Flight 525. Oh boy! This combination was about as sweet a thing as I can ever remember casting, and I am not the biggest Skagit fan. I used a 15ft intermediate #8 tip for my fishing, but also cast a 15ft, #8 type 6 and type 8 tip, and all these things launched. The balance with this outfit and the power, loop formation and distance achieved was extraordinary. I also tried the 500 grain Flight and found this to load the rod nicely, and would again be a better choice for the European caster. For the truer Skagit caster, and someone that really likes the rod to load, and that has slow D-loop strokes, the 550 or even the 575 Skagit Flight would be sublime.

At the end of the trip I can tell you that I left as a firm believer. I have finally found a #7 rod that can rival the best ever made. True, it is more of a #7/8, than a perfect #7, but then so is the T&T 1307 I have always loved. This TCX is absolutely marvelous! I love casting with it, I love the lightness of the rod and the balance it has in my head, I love the tip speed it generates and the tight, effortless loops it forms. I love the power in the middle sections of the rod that will allow a caster to handle long belly lines if required, but also that is excellent for bullying a good fish in a tough current. This IS my new best friend, the one rod that I will take anywhere I can, and will certainly use as much as possible.

Summary

A short, light and powerful #7 spey rod – superb for grilse, silvers, summer run steelhead, large trout and would be a great rod from the beach, overhead casting to stripers or whatever. Not your cup of tea if you like the slower, more traditional action fly rods, but for someone who enjoys light, fast and responsive rods, it is an absolute “must have”.

Rating

Action: 6 out of 6

Cosmetics: 6 out of 6

Overall: 10 out of 10

Line Rating: UniSpey: 7/8, PowerSpey: 7/8, Skagit: Flight 525, AFS: 8/9

Best Line: Skagit Flight 525 or AFS 8/9

Switch Rods

Larry Barrett examines a Deschutes steelhead landed with a 5119-4 TCX & 310 Steelhead Scandi.

The high performance TCX Switch rods will continue to be hot items in 2012. A new series in 2010, there is no price change for 2012 making them real bargains. TCX is regarded by many knowledgeable anglers as the best overall series of switch rods available. We have used all four models of these rods extensively under a wide variety of fishing conditions. We really like the way they handle. It is easy to like a rod that makes you look good on the water. These rods have fast "technical" actions and generate blazing line speed, but are very user friendly.

Mark Bachmann measures a Sandy river Steelhead landed with a 5119-4 TCX and a 350 Skagit Flight.

TCX Switch rods may be cast with either one hand or both hands. They really excell when used as two-handers. Josh Linn came up with the term "Baby Spey Rod" to describe their action, and the term stuck. As small two-handers, they have proven to be versatile and adaptable beyond belief, fishing both floating Scandi lines and sinking-tip Skagit lines with equal ease and sophistication.
Related Articles On TCX Switch Rods:
Sage TCX Switch Rods New for 2010, by Josh Linn 09/13/10
Sage 5119-4 TCX Winter Steelhead In The Extreme, by Mark Bachmann 03/07/11
Potent Medicine: Sage TCX Switch & 3800CF Reel, by Mark Bachmann 02/14/11

Sage 5119-4 TCX			Length: 11'9" Line: 5 Pieces: 4



Sage says: The little guy of the group. Small but powerful. Western streamer swingin’ stick, lake and beach too, small steelhead use, for such haunts as the Rogue, Grande Ronde and John Day. We say: Ya! It also does a whole lot more, including launch bullets into the wind, while providing the delicacy to fool jaded steelhead in rivers that are populated by too many other anglers. This rod had about the same amount of back-bone as a 10-foot 7-weight single hander, which is about the right size to be very useful in a lot of summer run situations. the 5119-4 TCX also proved to be a very good rod for fishing normal size tube flies for winter steelhead when combined with a 350-grain skagit flight and a 12 1/2' T-8 M.O.W tip. Line Match: Skagit Short 325, Skagit Flight 350, Steelhead Scandi 310, AFS 5/6, Outbound WF-6 (beach/lake), Rio Switch 5/6 Sink Tip Use: 15’ 109 Type 3, 6 & 8, T-8/T-11 in 10’ & 12.5’, 6’ & 10’ Spey VersiLeaders All Types (SH Scandi/AFS) Reel Match: Sage 4580, Sage 4280, Tibor Everglades, Sage 3880 Rod weight: 5 1/4 oz.
Item	Series	Line Wt.	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
5119-4	TCX	5	Fast	C	$840

Sage 6119-4 TCX			Length: 11'9" Line: 6 Pieces: 4


Small steelhead, Alaska Rainbows and Dollies, beach weapon de jour/lake tool. Line Match: Skagit Flight 350, Steelhead Scandi 350, Skagit Short 375, AFS 5/6, Rio Switch 6/7 Sink Tip Use: 15’ 109 & 129 Type 3, 6 & 8, T-8/T-11 in 10’ & 12.5’, 6’ & 10’ Spey VersiLeaders All Types (SH Scandi/AFS) M.O.W. Match: T-8/Light & T-11/Medium Reel Match: Sage 4210, Tibor Everglades, Sage 6080
Item	Series	Line Wt.	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
6119-4	TCX	6	Fast	C	$845

Sage 7119-4 TCX			Length: 11'9" Line: 7 Pieces: 4


As with most Switch rods, the #7 represents the 30.06 of Switch. From Alaska Rainbows to Oregon Coastal Steelhead to Tierra Del Fuego Sea-Run Brows, the 7 plays big. Not overkill for Trout but big enough for Anadramous Critters, here is your all-purpose player. Line Match: Skagit Flight 400, Steelhead Scandi 385, Skagit Short 425, AFS 6/7, Rio Switch 7/8 Sink Tip Use: 15’ 109 & 129 Type 3, 6 & 8, T-8/T-11/T-14 in 10’ & 12.5’, 6’ & 10’ Spey VersiLeaders All Types (SH Scandi/AFS) M.O.W. Match: T-8/Light,T-11/Medium & T-14/Heavy Reel Match: Sage 4210, Tibor Signature 7-9, Sage 6080 Rod weight: 5 3/4 oz.
Item	Series	Line Wt.	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
7119-4	TCX	7	Fast	C	$850

Sage 8119-4 TCX			Length: 11'9" Line: 8 Pieces: 4


Wow, you gotta try this one! Talk about power in a light package. Focused Anadramous Switch rod, steelhead anywhere, smaller Atlantic salmon venues, Sea-Run Browns, Coastal Steelhead tight-quarter focus. You will be shocked at the distances this rod will produce. Line Match: Skagit Flight 450, Steelhead Scandi 435, Skagit Short 475, AFS 7/8, Rio Switch 8/9 Sink Tip Use: 15’ 129 & 150 Type 3, 6 & 8, T-8/T-11/T-14 in 10’, 11’ & 12.5’, 6’ & 10’ Spey VersiLeaders All Types (SH Scandi/AFS) M.O.W. Match: T-8/Light,T-11/Medium & T-14/Heavy Reel Match: Sage 6010, Tibor Signature 7-9, Sage 3810, Sage 4210 Rod weight: 5 7/8 oz.
Item	Series	Line Wt.	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
8119-4	TCX	8	Fast	C	$855

The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, OR

1(800) 266-3971

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Four Piece Rods			Spey Rods	Switch Rods
490-4 TCX	790-4 TCX	990-4 TCX	Death Star Chronicles	5119-4 TCX
590-4 TCX	796-4TCX	1090-4 TCX	7126-4 TCX	6119-4 TCX
690-4 TCX	7100-4 TCX	Sage Reels	9140-4 TCX	7119-4 TCX
691-4 TCX	890-4 TCX	Sage Lines	10150-4 TCX	8119-4 TCX

DeathStar Chronicles To Top I wrote in September 2009, "Mark Bachmann has fished this rod for ten sessions on the Deschutes and says, "If you are into generating line speed, you will love this lightweight rod. Don't think this rod is just for expert casters. Beginning Spey casters adapt to this rod easily. Because it lacks all of the harsh aspects of its predecessors, it is exceptionally easy to time. Because this rod is on the cutting edge, anyone who fishes this rod will naturally become a better caster. This may be the best ever steelhead/salmon rod by any manufacturer for fishing in the wind. The 7126-4 TCX is like nothing else you have ever fished with, and will become a pivotal mark in the scientific progression of steelhead rod design." By January 2010, the seemingly overzealous pontification written above, that the 7126-4 TCX would become a pivotal mark in the scientific progression of steelhead rod design has turned out to be severely understated. We have cast this rod against a wide range of top-notch 12'-13' #7/8-weight rods. The TCX clearly our performs them all. It must be because of Sage's proprietary Generation-5 graphite. To date, everyone who has fished my rod has wanted one immediately. We've sold quite a number to date and we are collecting data from many users. And with the data has come the realization that this rod is truly unique, a quantum leap in performance!
Only fish caught with a Sage 7126-4 may apply.	10/02/09 Terry Antoniuk
10/26/09 Mark Bachmann	Chris Anderson 10/27/09
01/08/10 Mark Bachmann	01/12/10 Dr. Steve White
02/21/10 Windy Barbin	Send us your DeathStar pictures and we will put them here!
Mark, Death Star Chronicle's........ Prototype Mania 2009 In early February of 2009 I had the good fortune of receiving one of the first couple 7126-4 TCX Spey prototype rods from the one and only Jerry Siem, "Guru of Graphite" at Sage. I was hot to trot with this stick as I had my annual trip to Tierra Del Fuego just a few weeks away. In my eight years down there I have found that a distinct preference for "Shorter Sticks" like this sort of animal. "Why", you may ask? Well, the reason being two fold. (1) The Rio Grand is not as big as it look's in photos. (2) The shorter (sub-13'6") Spey rods function way better (and I do mean WAY BETTER) in that famous Land of Fire wind. Couple these facts with the steadfast requirement of "Kiss The Bank" on every cast (To engage the Zone) and this rod would seem to be the ticket! Well, sports-fans it was the Ticket...to the front row of the opposite bank "Every cast". In fact I hooked and landed a Sea Run Brown on my very first cast of the trip with it! Two weeks later it got a workout on Oregon's Sandy River followed by Washington's Sauk the end of March. Next up was my annual June Kenai trip. Day one saw 42 hookups with Rainbows to 28". The first spot out of the gate had guide Mark Mahoric of Silent Run Guide Service preaching "Big Shot over to engage the main channel, Georgie"....to which I replied "Watch the DeathStar Crush it out there". Indeed it did . The line at the time a 540 Compact produced "Mach Speed" and had me fishing a spot that required a "Mega Shot" to properly engage. Bow Bow took a pretty healthy beating that morning. Bow Bow would see the ole Willie Nelson Fly invade his lair a lot the next couple days. The end of June marked my return to the Kanektok River with the crew at Alaska West. Although the 7126-4 TCX was not the "Starter" here the newly named DeathStar would see plenty of action when the Big sticks were put down (9140-4, 10150-4 TCX). Although I did'nt land a Chinook over 20 lbs., I did feel that the 7126-4 was plenty of stick with good leverage at 12' 6". The 8129-4 Z-AXIS plays along these lines as well. My Dean week August 1-8 got off to a fast start with two Steelies on the D-Star day one. Everybody in the group got a turn with it, in fact I had to threaten Opie (Mike Opitz) to give it back! I left it for Charles St. Pierre and Andrew "The Don" Bennett for their week and managed to get it back in time for some fishing on Idaho's Clearwater (Big Ditch) along with the Deschutes, this time getting a chance to run with the New Skagit Flight Heads that were in Final-Phase prototyping. The 550 was good but for Pure-Speed with "Robot" turnover my vote goes to the 525 Skagit Flight. I finished off my October with a nice Steelhead along with a gorgeous Sea Run Cutthroat on the Umpqua. As I write this here in early November the Death Star has been put up for awhile as my Deer Season has arrived, the 7126- TCX being replaced by another "Wham-mer Weapon" the .300 Remington Ultra Mag. Here's to fast Loops and Straight Shots, George Cook

490-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 4 Pieces: 4

A new category of trout stick, very light, yet extremely powerful and accurate.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
490-4	TCX	4	Fast	C	$780

590-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 5 Pieces: 4

An all around trout rod for anglers who demand a stick that will deliver the most precise laser beam casts at all ranges.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
590-4	TCX	5	Fast	C	$795

690-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 6 Pieces: 4

Possibly the perfect rod for poking big flies up under the overhanging brush during the salmon fly hatch.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
690-4	TCX	6	Fast	C	$795

691-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 6 Pieces: 4

This would be a great stick to have in your quiver when traveling to Belize. Will also pleas you when fishing from a drifting boat hucking big streamers with a fast sinking shooting head for big trout who live in the deep spots.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
691-4	TCX	6	Fast	D	$795

790-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 7 Pieces: 4

Mid-sized bones, stripers and big trout will fall under your spell when you are swinging this stick.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
790-4	TCX	7	Fast	D	$810

796-4 TCX			Length: 9' 6" Line: 7 Pieces: 4

Going to Alaska or Kamchatka for silvers or big rainbows, take one of these with you.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
796-4	TCX	7	Fast	D	$815

7100-4 TCX			Length: 10' Line: 7 Pieces: 4

Here's your long-reaching summer steelhead and salmon single hander. Light and extremely powerful this may be the ultimate waking and dry fly rod for fish in the 8-20 pound range.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
7100-4	TCX	7	Fast	D	$820

890-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 8 Pieces: 4

Possibly the ultimate bonefish rod. We tried it with on of Rio's new Saltwater Lines...sweet.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
890-4	TCX	8	Fast	D	$815

990-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 9 Pieces: 4

This may be the ultimate flats rod where both large bonefish and permit are to encountered. This rod will also be a great companion while battling strong winds in search of monster sea run browns in TDF.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
990-4	TCX	9	Fast	D	$815

1090-4 TCX			Length: 9' Line: 10 Pieces: 4

This is the wind slicing machine. Load this up with a Saltwater Taper line and cast for medium size tarpon, dorado, roosterfish, permit, big stipers or any other spooky, demanding quarry.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
1090-4	TCX	10	Fast	D	$815

7126-4 TCX			Length: 12' 6" Line: 7 Pieces: 4

Termed by George Cook, "The Death Star" of spey rods." The name really caught on. George has already taken some massive Alaskan Kings, and big bobos with it, as well as several Dean River steelhead. Mark Bachmann has fished this rod for ten sessions on the Deschutes and says, "If you are into generating line speed, you will love this lightweight rod. Don't think this rod is just for expert casters. Beginning Spey casters adapt to this rod easily. Because it lacks all of the harsh aspects of its predecessors, it is exceptionally easy to time. Because this rod is on the cutting edge, anyone who fishes this rod will naturally become a better caster. This may be the best ever steelhead/salmon rod by any manufacturer for fishing in the wind. The 7126-4 TCX is like nothing else you have ever fished with, and will become a pivotal mark in the scientific progression of steelhead rod design." Rod weight: 7 5/8 oz. Proven On The Water !!! In stock at The Fly Fishing Shop NOW! The Fly Fishing Shop Line Matches: Rio UniSpey: 7/8 Rio Skagit 500, New Rio Skagit Flight 500 or 525, Airflo Skagit 510 Compact + 15’ #9 tips. Rio AFS 520 grain, Airflo Compact Scandi 510 - European casters may like AFS 460 best.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
7126-4	TCX	7	Fast	G	$865

9140-4 TCX			Length: 14' 3" Line: 9 Pieces: 4

The ideal winter steelhead, King Salmon combo rod has arrived (for those traveling to the Kola Peninsula this is your stick). The Clackamas to the Skagit, the Kispoix to the Kanketok, this is the rod to “get-er-done”. Sink Tip Use: 15’ 166 grain type 3, 6 and 8. T-14 in 11’ 13’ and 15’ lengths. Reel Match: Tibor Riptide, Sage 6012, Ross Momentum 6, Ross CLA 6. Rod weight: 9 oz. Line Matches: Rio UniSpey: 9/10 Rio Skagit 600 with 5’ Cheater + 15’ tip. Rio Skagit 550 with custom 7.5’ cheater
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
9143-4	TCX	9	Fast	G	$895

10150-4 TCX			Length: 15' Line: 10 Pieces: 4

A focused specialty rod. B.C.’s Thompson River, B.C. & Alaskan Kings, Norwegian and Kola Atlantic Salmon. Sink Tip Use: 15’ 190 grain type 3, 6 and 8. T-14 in 13’ and 15’ lengths. Reel Match: Tibor Gulfstream, Ross Momentum 7, Sage 6012. Rod weight: 9 13/16 oz. Line Matches: Rio UniSpey: 10/11 Rio Skagit 750 with 5’ Cheater + 15’ tip Can try a 7.5’ Cheater if you like.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Top
10150-4	TCX	10	Fast	G	$925