An extremely powerful Spey rod at home on small and medium-sized rivers, able to cast heavy sink-tips and the largest weighted flies. Great for winter steelhead and also a phenomenal, small-water Atlantic salmon rod when paired with a Scandi head.

THE NEW SPEY R8 - FAST ACTION & FINE-TUNED

An effective Spey cast is dependent on efficient transfers of energy in each of its three key components: the Lift, Load, and Delivery. Utilizing our proprietary Revolution 8 graphite technology along the full length of double-handed rod tapers results in a blank with an unmatched ability to capture and carry power, plus exceptional tracking. Energy produced during the cast and applied directly to the rod are transmitted entirely into the line, so Spey casters aren’t required to compensate for lost energy or imprecise rod reactions. With SPEY R8, casts are smooth, instinctual, and consistent.

Lift - Adequate stiffness, power, and responsiveness paired with light weight ensure no efforts are wasted and fatigue is minimum when lifting long or heavy heads, sink tips and flies.
Load - R8 Technology maximizes the amount of energy collected in sweep or touch-and-go moves, carries it into the D-Loop, and transfers it smoothly into the rod.
Deliver - Responsiveness and tracking abilities of R8 Technology diminish lost energy and reduce lateral movements upon the forward stroke, increasing power and accuracy.

FINE-TUNED ACTIONS

In designing our new SPEY R8 rods, we recognized there isn’t a single rod action appropriate for the wide variety of Spey fishing applications found around the globe. We identified four distinct Spey rod applications, each with its own unique set of requirements. This new approach matches rod action to application, ensuring anglers have the most fine-tuned Spey rod for their fishing. Across the family, our Revolution 8 Technology ensures a remarkably smooth and intuitive feel, no matter the line configuration.

Action: Switch - Compact Casts In Tight Quarters | 7116-4 8116-4
Action: Lightweight Line Speed - Accurate Distance With Light Spey Lines | 5126-4 6130-4
Action: Max Versatility - The Spey Casting Multi-Tool | 7126-4 7130-4 7136-4 8130-4 9130-4
Action: Most Powerful - Maximum Power, Distance & Control | 8126-4 8136-4 9140-6 10150-4

CLASSIC AESTHETICS

Sage’s history designing and building Spey rods dates back to the late-1980’s - nearly the beginning of the company itself - when America’s Spey Revolution was just beginning. While the SPEY R8 family’s performance is a culmination of our most-advanced material technology, blank designs, and rod weight-length configurations to date, we’ve chosen the aesthetics as a nod to our deep Spey rod history, the pioneers of this niche within fly fishing, and of course, the anadromous fish themselves. Every detail is a thoughtful mix of functional intention and traditional looks. The overall look feels fresh yet familiar, is distinctively Sage, and inspires you to pick up the rods and fish them.

Blank Color - Rich and warm, Ale colored blanks paired with black and gold trim wraps signify the meeting of history, culture, and innovation.
Wood Reel Seat - A traditional deep walnut insert paired with Granite machined aluminum componentry follows a classic theme and is complementary to the Ale blank color.
Cork Handles - Excels in the majority of Spey fishing situations and are best suited to handling a mix of line types and casting styles.