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The new Sage EVOKE in bronze/platinum.

In addition to its two new rod series, the METHOD and MOTIVE series, Sage has also introduced three new reels to its lineup. The first, the EVOKE, is an all new reel design Sages says "push[es] the boundaries of innovative reel designs." The other two, the new 4200 and 3200 reels, leverages designs from Sage's existing reel series in an effort to offer more afforable, budget-friendly options for prospective customers.

Sage Evoke in Bronze/Platinum
The new Sage EVOKE in bronze/platinum.

The EVOKE is an all new, big-game reels series from Sage that features a modified full frame design. The upper part of the frame is closed while the lower half of the frame exposes both sides of the spool to allow anglers to palm the reel. The EVOKE reels use the same sealed carbon system drag design as Sage’s popular 6000 series reels, offering 39 distinct drag settings.

As the EVOKE is intended for larger species, it will be available solely in 8 through 10 weights. The 8-weight reel retail price is $575, the 10-weight retails for $595 and the spools retail for $275 and $295, respectively. Both reels will be available in August 2013.

Sage's new budget-friendly MOTIVE series of saltwater rods.

Yesterday, Sage announced two new series of fly rods. The first was the new ultra-fast METHOD series. The second was an entirely new series of saltwater fly rods designed, according to Sage, to make salt-specific fly gear more accessible to the growing ranks of fly fishermen looking to chase saltwater fish.

Sage MOTIVE Fly Rod
Sage's new budget-friendly MOTIVE series of saltwater rods.

The MOTIVE series features an all new taper designed to deliver fast line speeds and, perhaps more importantly, load quickly -- often a must when sight fishing for saltwater species where expending precious time picking up line and false casting is a no-no.

The new Sage METHOD series.

If you've recently found yourself out on the water casting one of the fast action fly rods in Sage's ONE series, musing to yourself about how you wish it were even faster, muse no more. Sage announced today its new METHOD fly rod series, which it describes as a blend of "ultra-fast action" and technology.

The new METHOD series, like the ONE series and other rods throughout Sage's lineup, is built on Sage's Konnetic technology. According to Sage, the new METHOD series produces "high line speeds and tight loops for extreme distance and wind-cutting casts all while maintaining critical accuracy and feel."

Bonefish like this one bring millions of tourist and recreation dollars to the Flordia economy each year.

Over the past week, individuals and organizations across the US have been asking bonefish and tarpon advocates to make their voices heard to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC) Commission which was scheduled to meet yesterday to consider new regulations that would place tarpon and bonefish under strict catch and release only protections. The efforts of those who took the time to contact the commission to advocate for those protections have paid dividends, as FWC officials approved yesterday new rules preventing the harvesting of tarpon and bonefish.

The new regulations also introduce new protections regarding the handling of both tarpon and bonefish. The rules now require that tarpon over 40" not be removed from the water at any time. Weighing, measurement, scientific sampling and photography of these large tarpon must be completed with the fish still in the water. Tarpon under 40" may be temporarily possessed out of the water for these activities, but must subsequently be returned to the water unharmed. Bonefish will see increased protection from the removal of a tournament exception that previously allowed bonefish to be possessed by tournament anglers for transport to a tournament scale.

Fly fishing in the Tongass National Forest (photo: Chris Hunt).

A letter signed by over 230 scientists was delivered to the US Congress yesterday, urging lawmakers to support the Tongass 77, the comprehensive legislative proposal that would preserve 1.9 million acres of threatened salmon and trout habitat through the identification and protection of what researchers have determined are the 77 highest value watersheds within the Tongass. Scientists who signed the letter span the fields of biology, biochemistry, ecology, zoology, natural resources, environmental science, cultural anthropology, geology, wildlife and marine biology and many more.

The Tongass National Forest's vitality and breadth are globally unique but are endangered. Supporting the harvest of over 50 million salmon each year, the Tongass plays an important role in the economy and ecology of southeast Alaska as well regions far beyond its borders.

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