I think TFO rods are underrated. I have one Lefty Kreh Signature 9' 7wt that I love. It's a good rod, fishes better than some more expensive ones I've fished.
I don't know if this is still the case since I don't own a Reddington rod and I think that all of them are imported. All of the Sage rods are made in the US. I think Sage did this rather than downgrade the Sage name to supply the big boxes and lower end of the market, and they bought Reddington some 20 years back...Sage and Redington are made by the same company, and have a lot of similarities.
The issue is usually the angler. If you don’t practice casting, you’ll never be able to feel the difference between two rods with the same action.
The Orvis Superfines are great for what you are describing...I’m a very good caster and practice regularly. I just don’t like a lot of the stiff rods that have been all the rage for the last 15-20 years. I’d like to fish a 5wt that loads with an actual 5wt line. (I cast a Sage Method 5wt a few years ago. It was one of the finest 8wts I’ve ever cast. )
I’ve been looking online and am considering a Scott G or the new Sage Trout LL.
The Orvis Superfines are great for what you are describing...
Yeah I know the graphite Superfines are hard to find sometimes...in graphite...but the glass ones are still available in 5 & 6 wt.I learned to cast on an older model Orvis graphite rod, very similar to the Superfines. So, I really like the Superfines, but they discontinued the graphite models (which I would prefer.) I know they sometimes pop up on Ebay.
Interesting enough I have about 20 fly rods, and my favorite of all is what most would consider a fast Sage from the late 90s. Is is an SP and it is a 5 wt. 5 piece with 2 tips...the only Sage I ever bought that had an extra tip, and even though I have bought many rods before and after...that is still my number one 5 wt. go to rod and still have the same Lamson Litespeed reel on it...that thing casts like a dream (it'll pop a fly off in a heartbeat if you are not patient) and has landed more fish than any other rod I've ever owned...I like my light line Sage too...but the SP is my favorite rod I've ever owned...so, to each his own...I’m a very good caster and practice regularly. I just don’t like a lot of the stiff rods that have been all the rage for the last 15-20 years. I’d like to fish a 5wt that loads with an actual 5wt line. (I cast a Sage Method 5wt a few years ago. It was one of the finest 8wts I’ve ever cast. )
I’ve been looking online and am considering a Scott G or the new Sage Trout LL.
Interesting enough I have about 20 fly rods, and my favorite of all is what most would consider a fast Sage from the late 90s. Is is an SP and it is a 5 wt. 5 piece with 2 tips...the only Sage I ever bought that had an extra tip, and even though I have bought many rods before and after...that is still my number one 5 wt. go to rod and still have the same Lamson Litespeed reel on it...that thing casts like a dream (it'll pop a fly off in a heartbeat if you are not patient) and has landed more fish than any other rod I've ever owned...I like my light line Sage too...but the SP is my favorite rod I've ever owned...so, to each his own...
I don’t think an SP compares to modern fast rods like the Sage Method, One or Igniter. I read a book by this guy who HATED fast rods, and he loved the SP.
As you say, to each his own.
...what was the book?
My main all around rod is also an old SP 9ft 5weight that I bought half price when Sage was upgrading from it. Sage called it "graphite 4" technology. Lord knows what number they're up to now.
Just an FYI, the new Sage Trout LL is NOT the same rod as the original LL. I wouldn't have one if you gave it to me.I’m a very good caster and practice regularly. I just don’t like a lot of the stiff rods that have been all the rage for the last 15-20 years. I’d like to fish a 5wt that loads with an actual 5wt line. (I cast a Sage Method 5wt a few years ago. It was one of the finest 8wts I’ve ever cast. )
I’ve been looking online and am considering a Scott G or the new Sage Trout LL.