Sage Rods: Z-axis or ZXL

So I'm getting a fat tax return back this year, and I feel like I do enough fly fishing now that I owe it to myself to get a higher-end rod. I still love my low-end Sage rod, but now that I "know what I'm doing," I definitely recognize some of its shortcomings.

Primarily I'm nymph fishing most of the year, indicator nymphing, short line high-sticking, and occasionally czech nymphing. When I'm fishing with dries, they're usually pretty small and I need something that will present them delicate as ever (these trout around here on CO's tailwaters are finicky!). I'm really starting to catch/target much bigger fish than I used to, so I need something with a good fighting butt and finesse to be able to play them. Also, I haven't done that much dry fly fishing mainly because I'm still discovering waters where the good dry fly fishing is, so it doesn't necessarily mean that ultimately I won't be doing much of it... Basically I'm looking for a rod that can "do it all."

So far the Sage ZXL has caught my eye. If I decide to get it, I'll probably get a 9' 4wt. It is more of an all-around rod than the Z-axis with great feel and a more delicate tip, but still has a solid fighting butt section for taming the big boys. I'm still eyeballing the Z-axis, mainly because like I said, I primarily nymph fish. I would probably get that in a 10' 4wt. If any of you own this rod and could add your 2 cents, I'd appreciate it.

My questions are: Should I get the 5wt. instead in the ZXL? Can the Z-axis still cast/present dries well? Any other recommendations?

My ZXL 9 ft 4wt is one of the best rods I've ever owned...It rules! you wont go wrong if you buy it...I'm a huge fan of the Z's as well, I love the 10 ft 7wt for stillwater, and the 10ft 4wt for nymphing

im getting the zxl in 8'6" 3wt..with the lamson purist reel,,,cant wait

[quote author=pete erickson link=topic=4229.msg33365#msg33365 date=1268966076]
My ZXL 9 ft 4wt is one of the best rods I've ever owned...It rules! you wont go wrong if you buy it...I'm a huge fan of the Z's as well, I love the 10 ft 7wt for stillwater, and the 10ft 4wt for nymphing
[/quote]

Pete, can your 4wt. handle some bigger fish?

Trout,

the ZXL?

If so, I wouldn't say that it is the "best" rod for hauling in a 25 inch wild Brown...but I've battle countless 20+ inch fish on the zxl and it's been fine.

In fact, during Nationals practice on Fishing Creek in Penn, I fought and netted a nice brown probably 23+ inches with the ZXL...took a while to get the fat bastard in, but the ZXL performed fairly well in the fight. I caught him in that small riffle above the big glade and pool that was near that cool house on the other side of the river...cool lawn and piece of property...not very good at describing the spot, but I'm sure some of you guys know the spot...

the Z is a 10 footer, so no problem fighting fish there!

Peter,

How would you evaluate the PE shadow the 10 ft 3 wt compare to the Z-Axis 10 ft 4 wt ?

Pascal

I used to own three ZXL's. I had a 7'6 3wt rod and a 8' 4wt (most versitile dry fly rod around in my opinion, absolutly perfect) which were both the best graphite dry fly rods that I've ever used hands down, so light with a perfect action. the other was a 9ft 5wt I used this more for indicator nymphing way back when and it did a good job of that. I've since sold them all along with every 3200 reel I had on them to support my collection of cane rods, but if I was ever to get another graphite for fishing dries a sage ZXL would be the first on my list for sure.

-kyle

Pascal,

the Shadow 3100 has a very similar action to the Z-Axis 10ft 4wt through the first 3 sections, after that, the tip section of the 3100 is slower/softer or one could suggest more sensitive

also the weights are different:

Echo Shadow 10 ft 3wt (3100) 92 grams-3.25 oz

Sage Z-Axis 10' 4weight 98 Grams-3.4 oz


also,

the 3106 has the same action as the 3100 just a little heavier with 6 more inches of rod length

Echo Shadow 10& 1/2 ft 3wt (3106) 96.5 grams-3.39 oz


The Z-Axis 10ft 4wt was a major influence in the development of the Shadow Series of nymphing rods...I have fished the Z's for years, they are simply great rods imo. "emulation is the greatest form of flattery!"

pete

Local shop here agreed to let me demo both rods at some point next week, I can't wait! It only makes sense that I try them on the water before I make a decision...

Pete,

I've really enjoyed your candid comments about Sage vs. Echo rods, and your other thoughtful posts on this message board. So I've registered in order to ask you this question.

I've been tight-line nymphing a free-stone Michigan river that I live on for 8 years, using mostly Sage 9' 5wt Z-Axis rods and tactics evolved from the book "On the Trout Stream with Joe Humphreys." I've been working lately on blending French and Czech nymphing tactics into what I do. Of course, this will call for different rods, and weaning myself from split shots. So here's my question for you...

I'm a big fan of Sage Z-Axis rods. I'll probably pick up a Sage Z-Axis 10' 4wt. soon. But I'm intrigued by what I've read here about the Echo Shadow PE rods you've designed, and I am planning to buy one of those too. The question is, which?

The (unnamed) river I live on is the highest gradient river in the lower peninsula of Michigan. It has lots of bends and a wide spectrum of riffles, runs, and pools -- with fish-holding water from knee deep to float-your-hat. Over the years, I've refined my tactics to cover the range of speed and depth here, and found a 11' - 12' leader tapered to 4X or 5X with three or four #5 split shots and size 8 or 10 beadheads work best. I'm trying to wean myself from split shots, but don't think I can avoid them entirely because some places are too fast and deep for nymphs alone.

It's a relatively small river (30' to 80' wide) with lots of overhanging trees and submerged, woody debris. It is relatively clear, but the fish are not particularly line-shy. Typical casts are 20', but range to 40' in some spots.

So, given all that, which of the Shadow Echo rods do you think I should purchase, to be a reasonable complement to Sage 10' 4wt. Z-Axis?