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<()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 11:46 • #1 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/18/12
Posts: 1712
Location: Bozeman, MT
Curious. I just acquired an excellent Sage SFL from another Forum member. An 8' 2/1 5wt. All original with bag and tube. But I'm trying to date the manufacturing of the rod. The serial number is "B3310". If anyone has any insight as to the date it as made I'd appreciate that. Thank you in advance.
MarK

Here are a couple of photos of the rod.








Last edited by Hellmtflies on 20 Oct 2021, 08:44, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 12:47 • #2 
Guide
Joined: 09/11/19
Posts: 134
Location: Canada, Alberta
Hi. The B signifies that it was made on a blank and not factory. Not too sure if you were looking for the rolled date or the “built” date. Built date won’t be found unless you connected with the actual builder.
I have a blank that I am hoping to build this winter!
Congrats on the purchase!


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 13:25 • #3 
Guide
Joined: 08/11/21
Posts: 208
Location: Tucson, AZ
You might check with Sage, as the serial number would dial in the date.

I have heard the repair prices on Sage rods and blanks have jumped a bit lately..the older the blank the more it will cost for a repair.

I have never seen a fiberglass Sage rod..pretty cool find


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 13:29 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/18/12
Posts: 1712
Location: Bozeman, MT
jasonseaward wrote:
Hi. The B signifies that it was made on a blank and not factory. Not too sure if you were looking for the rolled date or the “built” date. Built date won’t be found unless you connected with the actual builder.
I have a blank that I am hoping to build this winter!
Congrats on the purchase!


Boy that doesn't sound correct. This rod appears completely factory to me.


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 14:29 • #5 
Guide
Joined: 09/11/19
Posts: 134
Location: Canada, Alberta
Will be interested to see how this places out.
I have seen the factory finished SFL rods with a handwritten serial number and most built blanks with "B". I have seen a variety of "B" serial numbers with varied wrap configurations. Though they look factory made, does not mean they are.
Will be watching to see what the consensus is.


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 14:37 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 10/06/14
Posts: 308
Location: US-MN
I don't think a "B" on the serial number has anything to do with whether it was a blank or not. The "B" that denotes a blank usually comes in the model#, so this would say 580SFLB if it were a blank build. I have four Sage glass rods, and that is what I have seen.


Last edited by chaoticscott on 19 Oct 2021, 15:06, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 14:48 • #7 
Guide
Joined: 09/11/19
Posts: 134
Location: Canada, Alberta
well then! I stand corrected.
Sorry Hellmtflies for spewing incorrect information!


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 19 Oct 2021, 17:58 • #8 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Sage S-glass rods were sold when the company was founded in 1979. The SFL factory rods were still listed on the 1982 catalog sheet reproduced in Vic Johnson's Fiberglass Fly Rods book. By 1985 the factory rods were no longer available, but SFL rod blanks could still be had for about $30. It's been posted elsewhere on forum that Sage serial numbers were similar to Fenwick, with the initial letter referring to the build year and 'A' = 1980 (based on emails from Sage). So Hellmtflies' rod is likely from 1981-ish.

The factory model numbers were done in a delicate white lettering on a decal with the rod parameters (first photo). The serial number is hand inked in black across the blank from the model number (second photo). The serial numbers are easy to miss. As Scott notes above, for rod blanks the model number is proceeded by a 'B' (third photo - not glass, but a very early Sage graphite blank).

The photos show the only wrap configuration I've seen on factory Sage glass. In my very biased opinion, these were the prettiest rods Sage ever sold. Aesthetically downhill ever since...


Tom



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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 20 Oct 2021, 08:48 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/18/12
Posts: 1712
Location: Bozeman, MT
jasonseaward wrote:
well then! I stand corrected.
Sorry Hellmtflies for spewing incorrect information!



No worries. It's good to knock this around.


Here are a couple of photos of the rod. It appears to be exactly as the one pictured above.








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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 20 Oct 2021, 09:33 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 10/06/14
Posts: 308
Location: US-MN
Looks like it is in terrific shape! I have the same rod, but it is not in as good condition. I think you will enjoy it!


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 20 Oct 2021, 10:16 • #11 
Guide
Joined: 09/11/19
Posts: 134
Location: Canada, Alberta
For the Sage factory wraps, what are people's guesses for the thread color?
I am hoping to build my blank this winter and would like to try to match the factory colors, as jgestar pointed out, its a very aesthetically pleasing combo.
Thanks!


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 20 Oct 2021, 10:51 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/10/07
Posts: 1632
Location: The Netherlands
Here is a rod that's factory made:
https://antiquerodandreels.com/antiquer ... /sage.html


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 20 Oct 2021, 13:04 • #13 
Guide
Joined: 09/11/19
Posts: 134
Location: Canada, Alberta
jasonseaward wrote:
For the Sage factory wraps, what are people's guesses for the thread color?
I am hoping to build my blank this winter and would like to try to match the factory colors, as jgestar pointed out, its a very aesthetically pleasing combo.
Thanks!


I took 2 minutes and figured out the colours. Lol
Looking forward to building and trying this rod out next season!


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 20 Oct 2021, 14:13 • #14 
Administrator
Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Jason,

The rod finish is still clear and hard 40 years later, so I suspect it is an epoxy. My second photo, the one with the serial number, in my opinion is the closest to the true colors. Perhaps the main wrap is Gudebrod 5274 nylon and the trim is tan or almond NCP thread.


Tom


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 20 Oct 2021, 23:31 • #15 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
Mark,
How does it cast and fish? Is it a 5wt or closer to a 6wt? I had a SFL789B and it was closer to an 8wt. A real cannon.


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 21 Oct 2021, 06:45 • #16 
Guide
Joined: 06/07/15
Posts: 162
Location: US-PA
The last photo in my post shows the labeling of a sage glass blank - the letter "B" is in front of the model # silk-screened by sage. I'm betting your rod is factory made.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=72151

BTW my 476 fishes well with a 5 wt in close and a 4 wt line is better from about 25' out.


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 21 Oct 2021, 14:20 • #17 
Guide
Joined: 09/11/19
Posts: 134
Location: Canada, Alberta
To clarify my previous mistake, I took a look at my blank and it's printed "B580SFL" No serial number.


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 23 Oct 2021, 08:40 • #18 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/18/12
Posts: 1712
Location: Bozeman, MT
carlz wrote:
Mark,
How does it cast and fish? Is it a 5wt or closer to a 6wt? I had a SFL789B and it was closer to an 8wt. A real cannon.



It works very well with an SA DT5F but a WF5F works better in close. The rod is on the quicker side of medium. It feels somewhat similar to my 8'9" 5wt Peak.


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Re: <()))>< Sage SFL
Post 23 Oct 2021, 08:48 • #19 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/07/12
Posts: 865
Location: US-CA
Super cool. When that rod came up I thought hard about trying to get it. I have too many rods in that range though, so I’d probably just sell it back to someone on the board. Fish it and post pics!


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