SALT R8

Overview

INSPIRATION

Here at Sage, our priorities lie not only in the design and manufacturing of the best fly fishing rods and reels for anglers around the world, but also in preserving the fantastic places these tools are intended to be used. As a manufacturing business that relies on these fisheries for our own success, it is our responsibility to assist in assuring they thrive for generations to come. As part of an effort to raise awareness and funds for key conservation initiatives, and jointly offer unique passion projects from our design team to you, we are incredibly proud to introduce a special project that was born through the dedication and collaboration of our rod designers and some of the best saltwater guides in the world – SALT R8 TARPON ONE - an 8’10” one-piece limited-edition model of our acclaimed 11 weight SALT R8. All proceeds from this project will be donated jointly to Bonefish & Tarpon Trust’s Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative, and Captains For Clean Water Education & Awareness programs respectively.

SALT R8 TARPON ONE

The tarpon game asks a lot out of angler, guide, and gear. A great tarpon rod possesses sensitivity for quick and accurate fly delivery at a variety of distances, but is also incredibly durable with pulling power capable of subduing large tarpon day after day, and season after season without fail. Developed alongside some of the best guides in the most iconic waters of South Florida, the action has been rigorously tested-and-tuned to the situations found on these legendary flats. Additionally, by eliminating the ferrules found on multi-piece rods, the substantial increase in strength already provided by R8 Technology is fully realized, offering unmatched durability and pulling power. For the serious tarpon angler that isn’t in need of the convenience of a four-piece rod, this synergy of strength, durability, and finesse makes the SALT R8 TARPON ONE the finest performing tarpon rod ever built. Lastly, this rod features a unique cosmetic package that is complete with tarpon artwork from renowned artist Tim Borski - laser engraved on the reel seat – rounding out this truly special package.

SALT R8

Details

Limited Run of 150

Revolution 8 Technology

One-Piece Construction

Bently Black Blank Color
Custom Tim Borski Artwork Engraved Reel Seat

Slate Primary Wraps w/ Graduated White And Grey Trim

Titanium Fuji K-Guide Ceramic Stripper Guides w/ Oversized Hard Chromed Snake Guides & Tip Top

Laser Etched Line Weight On Slide Band

Premium Flor Frade Full-Wells Cork Handle w/ EVA Fighting Butt

Heavy-Duty Anodized Aluminum Up-Locking Reel Seat w/ Integrated Hidden Hook Keeper

Tarpon One
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Bonefish & Tarpon Trust

Loss and degradation of nursery habitat is the single greatest threat to tarpon populations worldwide, and the species has been classified as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, meaning there has been at least a 30 percent decrease in the population in the recent past. Through its Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is actively protecting and restoring essential nursery habitat in Florida to ensure healthy tarpon populations for the future. Proceeds from the SALT R8 TARPON ONE will support this critical initiative. 
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Captains For Clean Water

Founded by fishing guides, Captains For Clean Water is a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit working to restore and protect Florida’s delicate water resources. Decades of poor water management practices have devastated estuaries and water quality across the state, sustained by lack of public awareness and political will. CFCW advocates for Everglades Restoration, the largest wetland ecosystem restoration project ever undertaken in the world, as the long-term solution to reducing harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges and restoring the flow of water south to the Everglades and Florida Bay where it's desperately needed. Proceeds from the SALT R8 TARPON ONE will go towards CFCW’s education and outreach initiatives, elevating the collective voice of the saltwater angling community to advance Everglades restoration and influence state and federal decision-making regarding Florida’s water resources.
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SHAPING 8 REVOLUTIONS IN HOW WE FISH

R8 TECHNOLOGY

The advanced, leading-edge material behind R8 enables us to shape a rod with a stiffer, stronger backbone but a more sensitive tip and more connected feel. The secret is twofold. First, a proprietary aerospace composite with a greater hoop strength enables us to dimensionally grow taper diameter more quickly from the tip—while a nano-sintered resin application increases axial resilience and allows us to pack more fiber into the blank, resulting in that true two-way connection from hand to fly and back for greater feel, flow and control.

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NEW AXIAL FIBER FORMULATION

Advanced nano-sintered resin application and a more resilient axial fiber allow us to re-profile the dimensional taper to get thicker quicker from tip to butt - resulting in better energy transfer and greater feel. Simply put - a better and more efficient "wiring" of energy.
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NEW CIRCUMFERENTIAL HOOP FIBER

Advanced hoop fibers hold blank in optimal cylindrical shape creating greater circumferential strength - continuously maintaining inherent taper profile while actively engaged or under tension.

MADE IN THE USA

We’re not a big faceless factory, but rather a workplace of craftspeople who design and build the world’s best fly rods and reels using our hands and hearts. We do it by sharing ideas and always asking the next question to find what can be done to make this better. Our rods are built one at time right here on Bainbridge Island, WA, following hundreds of meticulous steps and passing through 23 sets of hands. We’re out there fishing the same places in the same unforgiving conditions that you are. Craftsmanship is applied experience. Lifetimes of it.