• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Deneki Outdoors Fishing Lodges

Alaska | The Bahamas | Chile

  • About Deneki Outdoors
  • Our Fishing Lodges
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
  • Deneki Blog
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Chile
    • Fish
    • Fishing Reports
    • Fly Tying
    • Gear
    • General
    • Guest Posts
    • News
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
    • Tips
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs

Sep 25 2009

Sage Xi3 – 890-4 Field Test

The new Xi3, in the flesh.

We had a chance to fish the production version of the new Sage Xi3 on Puget Sound this week with Captain Keith Robbins. In addition to the many other rods in our quiver, we fished the 890-4 Xi3 for a good bit of the day.

Here’s what we thought of it.

  • The Xi3 is noticeably faster than the Xi2. Jerry Siem at Sage says that the midsection of the rod in particular was sped up a bit. It feels faster overall, with a more consistent bend throughout the rod than the Xi2.
  • The new Fuji stripping guides are giant! We’re told that they’re lighter and more durable.
  • The reel seat is great – the lock rings have a very deep pattern that makes it easy to crank ’em down.
  • We buy the claim that these rods are more accurate. Cutting-edge rod building technology is a bit beyond us, but we can tell you that the fly tends to land where you want it to land.
  • It hucks! Maybe it’s just the faster action, but your line sails, and the difference is more noticeable when you’re dealing with some wind.
  • They look delightful. The ‘Pacific-blue’ color is pretty darned cool.
My, what a large stripping guide you have.

Obviously we’re sold. If you’re in the market for an all-around saltwater fly rod, we don’t know why you wouldn’t check out the Xi3. You can get one online here.

More Gear We Like
Sage 6000 Series Reels
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Stonebridge Bamboo Fly Rods

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    September 25, 2009 at 6:30 am

    Hey guys,

    Thanks for the mention of the Xi3. Can you comment on how this rod felt in hand? I always felt the Xi2 was, while powerful, kind of heavy and cumbersome, especially in comparison to the TCX. Does this rod resemble the TCX in feel in any way? Thanks again.

  2. Deneki Outdoors says

    September 25, 2009 at 7:11 am

    The Xi3 is a little lighter than the Xi2 – for example, the 8 weight Xi2 was 4 1/8 oz and the 8 weight Xi3 is 3 7/8 oz. It feels like there's more of a difference than that though – the Xi3 feels a lot lighter and more responsive. The folks at Sage told me that the diameter of the Xi3 is significantly smaller – that might have something to do with it.

    I think you could say that the feel of the Xi3 is 'halfway between the Xi2 and the TCX' and that would sum things up pretty darned well.

Trackbacks

  1. FTC Disclosure says:
    January 11, 2010 at 6:03 am

    […] Sage Xi3 Rods […]

  2. Sage Xi3 Drawing Winner Announcement says:
    July 7, 2010 at 6:02 am

    […] to Rolf Wikén from Stockholm, Sweden!  Rolf won our drawing for a Sage 890-4 Xi3 rod, a Sage 6080 reel and a Rio Tropical Clouser line, and the outfit is headed his […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Plan Your Trip

Let our experts plan the fishing adventure of your dreams.
Contact Now

Search Topics

Subscribe to our newsletter

All Blog Posts

Recent Posts

  • Spey Clave: Two Hand Alaska Presented By Mossy’s Fly Shop
  • Learn the Art of the Cack-handed Spey Cast
  • Common Mistakes Fly Anglers Make When Targeting Alaska Sockeye Salmon-and How to Fix Them
  • Fly Tying: Sockeye Caviar
  • The Alaska Freshwater Fish-Tastic Final Four

All About Spey

All About Trout

All About Bonefishing

All About Gear

Best Posts

Footer

Deneki Outdoors

Mailing address:
200 W. 34th Ave.
#1170
Anchorage, AK 99503

Headquarters:
6160 Carl Brady Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99502

US Information and Reservations
800-344-3628

International Information and Reservations
+1 907-563-9788

Email: info@deneki.com

Our Lodges

Rapids Camp
King Salmon, Alaska

Alaska West
Kanektok River, Alaska

Andros South
South Andros Island, The Bahamas

Rio Salvaje
Puerto Montt, Chile

Deneki Outdoors thanks Peter Viau, Tosh Brown, Abe Blair, Kyle Shea and Kara Knight for the beautiful photography used on our sites.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

#denekioutdoors

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 · Deneki Outdoors · Privacy Policy · Site by 21 Designs

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we assume that you are okay with it.Ok