I just received a windfall of older Sage rod blanks still in the package with the original prices on the tag. Most are fly rod blanks but there are also 3 spinning rod blanks. Here is the list of blanks and their prices: 080SLT 3pc no price, 181SLT 3pc no price, 490SP 2pc $165 ,490XP 2pc $165, 490VPS 2pc $174.38, 690SP 2pc $268, 890XP 2pc $276, 890SLT 4pc $184, 1090XP 4pc $308, GSP370 2pc $150 and GSP153 2pc $ 89. Knowing that these blanks are from the late 90’s - early 2000’s and that blank technology has come a long way since then would these prices be too high if I were to sell them? I just don’t have the time or inclination to build this many rods. Any help on fair pricing would be much appreciated.

In my opinion, the premium fly rods of that vintage were fairly sophisticated and the better designed ones hold their own okay relative to contemporary ones. The resin systems have progressed, but some blanks in the early 2000’s had improved quite a bit in this area over the early to mid 90’s. Those prices wouldn’t seem much out of line if a warranty was in effect.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/2023 01:40AM by Kendall Cikanek.

0 and 1 power rods don't seem to be near as popular as the used to be, The XP, SP, SPL SLT rods all have their champions, 2 piece won't be as popular a the 3 and four piece, some go completely gaga over the 5 piece models. The GSP series are nice, but you don't see them much due to cost I believe. Sage has spent a lot of time and money trying to get the actions of these old rods with their high end carbon and resins, I think the vast majority think they didn't succeed, if they have actually fished the old models.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/2023 10:54AM by Spencer Phipps.

Fly fishermen are a different breed and they appreciate different things. Sometimes “retro” is a favorable thing and sometimes it’s so good companies may bring something back (ie Scott Fly Rod’s “G” Series fly rods). I think guys that used those blanks in the past would know better how they compare to today’s rods. I’d say they’re worth at least what they’re stickered at from back then though (inflation alone covers that).

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sage has spent a lot of time and money
> trying to get the actions of these old rods with
> their high end carbon and resins, I think the vast
> majority think they didn't succeed, if they have
> actually fished the old models.

I sold and occasionally used Sage rods just a little before this era. I think they succeeded at what they were trying to do, although I didn't agree with it. They really bought into the stiff, fast philosophy of fly rod design. After a few years of the old school guys deriding them as “parking lot rods”, they added a soft and much slower series. It seemed like they went well past the “Goldilocks” point for the sake of differentiation. I used my pro-deal to purchase Thomas & Thomas rods which were far less popular. It was nearly universal when I handed one to a Sage owner that they would get sheepishly interested.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/2023 03:56PM by Kendall Cikanek.

Appreciate your input. Thanks it help to get other’s opinions.

The oldest Sage price I have for your 080SLT and 181SLT are $255 and $257.50 respectively.