Sage Rods Freshwater Rods Foundation 490-4

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Sage Rods Freshwater Rods Foundation 490-4

Foundation

Foundation

Multi-Application

A light and versatile trout rod, the 490-4 offers great line control without compromising accuracy. Best for dry flies and smaller nymphs.
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Low inventory
$550.00
$550.00
From local-stream trout to Alaska silver salmon, the FOUNDATION series pairs a performance Graphite IIIe blank with a fast action for the casting power and control to handle it all.

Specs
Foundation 490-4

SKU: 2035-490-4

Basics
  • The fly line weight designation (e.g., 5wt). Match the line size to the rod's recommended line weight for the best casting. 4wt
  • The length of the fully assembled rod. Longer rods add reach and line control; shorter rods are easier to handle in tight spaces. 9'0"
  • How much and where the rod flexes when casting. Fast actions bend mostly near the tip for power and distance; slower actions bend deeper for feel.
  • The blank design and material technology used to build the rod, which affects its strength, weight and casting feel. Graphite IIIe
  • The main type of fishing the product is designed for, such as dry fly, nymph, streamer, saltwater or all-around use. Multi-Application, Dry Flies, and All Around
  • The fish species the product is best suited for, such as trout, bass, steelhead or saltwater species. Trout and Salmon
  • The type of water the product is designed for, such as streams, rivers, lakes, stillwater or saltwater. Freshwater and Creeks
Blank
  • The material used to build the rod blank, such as graphite. It shapes how light and responsive the rod feels. Glass Scrim
  • The number of sections the rod breaks down into. More pieces pack smaller for travel and storage. 4
  • Color Stealth Black
Components
  • The rod's grip, typically cork. Its shape and size affect comfort and casting control. Standard Handle
  • The hardware at the base of the rod handle where the reel attaches and locks in place. Anodized Aluminum Up-Locking Reel Seat
  • The color of the thread wraps that hold the guides in place, plus any accent trim on the rod. Black Primary Thread Wraps with Silver Trim Wraps
  • The guides along the rod that hold the fly line close to the blank and help it travel smoothly during the cast. Fuji Ceramic Stripping Guides with Hard Chromed Snake Guides and Tip-Top
  • The hard protective tube that stores the rod, in its bag, for travel and storage. Rugged Black Nylon Rod Tube with Divided Liner

Technology

Graphite IIIe

Graphite IIIe Technology brings together power and durability for a more connected feel throughout the casting stroke, making longer and more accurate casts possible.

  • Power

    Graphite IIIe is the fast-action originator, providing effortless casting power and control.

  • Reliability

    Constructed using glass scrims within layers of graphite, Graphite IIIe rods are noted for their lightweight strength and smooth feel.

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Why Foundation

Multi-Application

FOUNDATION has a fast action providing excellent casting power and effortless control. It's the very foundation of what defines a Sage rod – Performance.

  • Dry Fly

    FOUNDATION couples a fast action design with a sensitive tip section that let you stay in control of the presentation, while high line speed capabilities drive tight loops for laser accuracy in technical dry fly situations.

  • Nymphing

    A powerful butt section easily lifts fish from their lie and gives great turnover and mending capabilities for multi-nymph rigs, while FOUNDATION's sensitive tip sections protect light tippets.

  • Streamers

    FOUNDATION's powerful butt section easily throws a wide range of streamers and accommodates effective sinking tip lines, while providing the muscle to quickly pull aggressive fish out of heavy structure.

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  • Stealth Black Blank Color

  • Black Anodized Aluminum Up-Locking Reel Seat

  • Snub-Nose Cork Handle with Fighting Butt

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Build Your Setup

We curated these products to go with your Foundation 490-4.

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Compare Rods

Foundation
Foundation 490-4
The fly line weight designation (e.g., 5wt). Match the line size to the rod's recommended line weight for the best casting. 4wt
Price $550
Best Suited For Anglers who want signature Sage performance and control.
The main type of fishing the product is designed for, such as dry fly, nymph, streamer, saltwater or all-around use. Multi-Application, Dry Flies, and All Around
The blank design and material technology used to build the rod, which affects its strength, weight and casting feel. Graphite IIIe
The material used to build the rod blank, such as graphite. It shapes how light and responsive the rod feels. Glass Scrim
How much and where the rod flexes when casting. Fast actions bend mostly near the tip for power and distance; slower actions bend deeper for feel.
Current Product
EDC
EDC 490-4
The fly line weight designation (e.g., 5wt). Match the line size to the rod's recommended line weight for the best casting. 4wt
Price $379.99
Best Suited For Anglers who demand utility and versatility above all else.
The main type of fishing the product is designed for, such as dry fly, nymph, streamer, saltwater or all-around use. Multi-Application
Technology Nano Resin Technology
What the rod blank is made from, typically graphite or fiberglass. It affects weight, feel and durability. Nano Resin Graphite
How much and where the rod flexes when casting. Fast actions bend mostly near the tip for power and distance; slower actions bend deeper for feel.
View product details
Arrow label detail
Arrow 490-4
The fly line weight designation (e.g., 5wt). Match the line size to the rod's recommended line weight for the best casting. 4wt
Price $725
Best Suited For Anglers who need one rod to answer the day's what-ifs.
The main type of fishing the product is designed for, such as dry fly, nymph, streamer, saltwater or all-around use. Multi-Application, Dry Flies, and Streamers
The blank design and material technology used to build the rod, which affects its strength, weight and casting feel. KonneticHD
The material used to build the rod blank, such as graphite. It shapes how light and responsive the rod feels. Fiber Composite
How much and where the rod flexes when casting. Fast actions bend mostly near the tip for power and distance; slower actions bend deeper for feel.
View product details
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Overall rating: 4.9166665 / 5 from 36 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["rod","fly","rods"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Alaskan Chinook

"Picked this rod up as backup to compliment my arsenal while on an extended expedition in Alaska. Quickly became my go-to. The look and feel of this rod exceeded expectations for a mid tier rod. Handled some nice Chinook with ease."

— Shawn W. (5/5)

Foundation

"I purchased this rod for my clients, fishing for Great Lakes steelhead and it’s been a perfect match the rod is excellent for roll casting and forty foot cast. I’ve been very satisfied with this purchase."

— Richard F. (5/5)

Foundation 4wt

"Excellent way to get into the sage brand and super happy with the action of the rod. I think this rod is very good with presenting dry flys because of the action is just perfect. The only thing I would like to see is a place to hook your fly other than the cork but I just put my fly on the eye and run it around my reel. Thanks sage for doing a great job."

— Trevor W. (5/5)

Awesome rod. Customer service could be better.

"Today, I fished the Firehole river in Yellowstone Park. The rod was awesome! I was casting much further and more accurately. The only complaint I have is with customer service. I contacted them online to ask where the serial number is so I can register the rod for the warranty and after a week, they have not gotten back to me."

— Hugh H. (5/5)

Sage Foundation 7 Wt 9 Ft Fly Rod

"I bought a Sage Foundation 7 wt 9 ft fly rod about a year ago. I was looking for an inexpensive but powerful and sensitive high-quality 7 wt rod to use for smallmouth bass fishing on the Tennessee River and the larger creeks around The Shoals area of NW Alabama. I had bought a Redington Wrangler and an Echo Ion XL in this same length and weight, and found the Wrangler to be lacking in accuracy and distance, and the Ion XL to be stronger and more accurate than the Wrangler but still not quite what I wanted. Then I found an incredible deal on a previously purchased but unused Sage Foundation 7 wt 9 ft rod and it is much better than I expected for the price. It handles everything I ask it to do and is a Sage, through and through. The other two 7 wt rods are relegated to backup service and for friends who don't have 7 wt rods who want to fish with me. This Foundation is the 6th Sage fly rod that I've owned, and I'm very pleased with it."

— Kerry S. (5/5)

Great American made rod for the price

"Casts really well. I’d say it’s on the slower side of fast. Match with a slightly overweight line."

— derrick h. (4/5)

foundation rod

"graphite llle is the best! can not beat the smooth flow of power. very durable! very glad you brought it ba ck!"

— Jeff J. (5/5)

Great rod for price

"If you can’t get it done with this, the problem is you."

— Aaron B. (5/5)

9ft 7wt Foundation- Might be my new all around.

"• Very pleased with my purchase and the online customer service • Satin black blank with chrome accents was much more visually appealing in person than I assumed when ordering. • Plenty of power- surprisingly forgiving for a fast action rod I find myself capable of chunking soaked streamers with finesse while also being able to swap spools to delicately set dries right on top of rising fish."

— Jack M. (5/5)

Fantastic Rod

"I love this rod…I just upgraded from a slower action 5 wt to this faster 6 wt…it’s a whole lot nicer to punch the line out further (when needed) and I it’s built in the US."

— David H. (5/5)

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