Bill, I have a Sage 490-2 XP. I love it. That's because I have a fast casting stroke. Whether or not it's worth $400 is pretty subjective. Given the cost of a new one I guess that's a pretty good deal (mine's a custom made rod; better components AND much cheaper).
Definitely try it before you buy it. As for performance it can easily handle conehead #4 wooly buggers (which I use for smallmouth bass fishing) while also finessing tiny dry flies (for trout). Great for nymphing. For me, a great all around rod. If you primarily fish dries I'd favour a 3 wt SPL or SLT. The 4 wt XP is more of a "cannon." As a comparison, it casts all the same flies as my 6 wt Loomis GL3 can handle. Just my 2 cents, Preston --- "Ken, Carolyn, Alex and Hershel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Bill... > > I think its worth $400. -- especially with the > warranty card. But whether or not you will be > satisfied with it also depends on what you want to > use it for. > > I have a Sage 490 RPL+ -- its a fast action rod -- > and quite a stiff rod. > > I bought it because I got a great deal on it and I > use it mainly for fishing trout and grayling in > smaller rivers. > > However, my brother has a Sage 4 weight in the SPL > -- which I think he paid a bit more money for -- and > if I had a choice between the rods -- I'd choose the > SPL -- the softer blank and slower action is much > nicer for fishing in small rivers and creeks. The > RPL+ is supposed to be an awesome rod for fishing > salmon, steelhead and saltwater in the larger sizes > -- but its a bit stiff for a 4 weight. > > I haven't tried the XP 490 -- but I believe its a > fast rod and I don't think its as stiff as the RPL+ > -- but is it too stiff and fast for your purposes -- > only you can tell that. > > The following website should provide you with some > comparisons... > > http://www.dietzelinc.com/trader/CurrentList/flywt.txt > > Ken MacGillivray > Coquitlam BC > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Bill Sparrow > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 2:22 PM > Subject: [VFB] Sage 490 XP? > > > I have a question.. > > A friend of mine has a like new 490 XP and wants > to sell it..I'm thinking about buying it..It has > only been used 3-4 times and he still has the > warrenty card with it..Is it worth 400.00? >
