I was advised two days ago SAGE is no longer producing the RPLXi rod and blank that so many of us have come to love and enjoy.  I was made aware of this fact by a SAGE sales clerk as I called in an order to replace the 10 or so I sold in the past two weeks and for the four orders I had in hand.  Apparently a ‘more modern’ version will be available in mid November in two piece and four piece configuration instead of the 2 piece and 3 piece that has been so popular, primarily among we salt water fly fishers.  Sage has produced the RPLX and RPLXi for the past 6 years and felt a need to incorporate new technology in an already popular rod.  As many of you know, I am a genuine advocate of the RPLXi’s in all weights but in particular, the lighter weight versions for our Red Fish and for Bone Fish.  Yesterday, Bill Slough stopped by and cast a 5 weight 3 piece RPLXi over lined with a 6 weight Flip Pallot line, and promptly threw out the entire line (85 feet), over and over with the comment on each cast of “wow!  This is a five!”  I have great faith in the SAGE designers and I am confidant the new Xi-2 WILL be an improvement over an already great rod.  For the present time I have only 1 seven, 2 eights, and 1 nine weight blanks remaining in inventory, and will not be able to get new blanks for another 2 ½ months.  I do, however, have several built up and available for sale as finished rods that can be cast in my casting area before purchase.  If any of you want to share in my mourning of the passing of the RPLXi, come by the shop and test cast what will become a legend in fly rods.  SAGE continues to make the excellent, fast action and extremely popular XP blanks which I have in inventory, the wonderfully smooth performance of the SLT’s, and for the more price conscious, the VPS series.   (I wonder if I could convince my landlord to reduce the rent while I wait for the new blanks. . . . . nah!).

 

Lots of folks have come by relating their stories of Alaskan fishing – sounds as though the salmon run was a ‘thing of beauty’!  Mike Munoz and Gary Lehman not only told stories but had many pictures to back up the tall tales, not the least of which was a 26 inch Dolly Varden!  I didn’t know they got that big, what a beauty!

 

I was told Scott Sparrow caught and released a Tarpon that was measured and estimated to be 190 to 200 pounds.  Ray Chapa had a client catch and release a large tarpon while Ray was taking photos for an upcoming article in the Southwest Flyfisher magazine.  Do you suppose the Tarpon are back for good?  Several people have told me of sightings and recent hook up’s.

 

I am considering getting into fly tying material and would appreciate it if someone would come by the shop and talk me out of it!  I could make room for materials, hooks, vices, thread, tools etc. etc. but don’t know if I have the energy to do so.  I know I don’t have the enthusiasm, but if I get some encouragement, I could possibly find energy and the time to realign the shop to accommodate fly tiers.  Feed back would be appreciated.

 

Our ‘wonderful fall fishing season’, as Roy Williams describes the months of September, October, November and early December, is upon us.  Come by the shop to sharpen up your casts and stock up on the needed items to be prepared.  The excellent spring and summer catches in our salt pastures certainly point to a wonderful fall!

 

Dennis O. Freeman

RODMAKERS

13457 Blanco Road

San Antonio, TX 78216

rodmaker@rod-makers.com

www.rod-makers.com

210-479-3477

210-479-3488 Fax