Temple Fork Outfitters has done it again!
They have produced an affordable high quality fly reel for less than a half to one-third the price of comparable fly reels.

The PRISM family of large arbor fly reels have cork drags with one-way clutch bearing for instant drag engagement � for less than $100 bucks.

IMO, perfect for stripers, hybrids, largemouth bass, and light salt-water use.
Mine is a 7/8 match for my new 8ft Mini-Magnum fly rod.

I have no business affiliation with TFO � only a satisfied customer who does business with good folks and sometimes privileged to field-test their products.
George Glazener

George, I have been considering a Sage Largemouth and would be very interested in your opinion of the mini-magnum rod.

Mike, I have not had the privilege of testing the Sage Largemouth but have high opinion of their products, having built many fly rods on Sage blanks.

I field tested the prototype TFO Mini-Mag for nearly a year before going into production, and call it my anytime, any place, for anything fly rod.

IMO it has an advantage over any of the new 8 ft �bass� fly rods, being composed of an �S� glass butt section, transitioning to a glass/graphite hybrid mid-section, to a medium-fast graphite tip section.

Virtually impossible for �high stick� rod breakage with great lifting power, and more important in your case, capable of casting big deer hair bass bugs under adverse conditions.

George

I have heard rave reviews about Sage Largemouth and Smallmouth rods, you can't go wrong if you get one in other words.

Unlike George, I am biased to TFO due to my daughter's relationship with them.

She has one of the Prism reels. I have been very impressed with it. It is a very nice reel with great fit and finish and smooth drag.

I haven't fished one yet, but I really like the way the Mini-Mag casts. I found it to be easy to cast and it will just flat out throw a large fly without any difficultly. This rod is on my Christmas "wish list". At $200, it is worth taking the time to compare it to the other rods in this category.

Rex

FYI, you are not familiar with TFO's Mini-Magnum rod here is a copy of the press release from this summer:

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Press Release:

August 14, 2008

Temple Fork Outfitters New Mini Magnum Fly Rod


What do big fish that live in and around all types of heavy cover have in common? Once hooked they will kick your butt before burrowing into the thickest junk they can find! Don�t let them kick your rod�s butt too. The new �Mini Magnum� by Temple Fork Outfitters was designed, with help from Nick Curcione; well, to kick butt back.

The 8� Mini Magnum utilizes Temple Fork�s Bluewater technology (a hybrid combination of S-Glass and high-modulus carbon fiber for exceptional lifting power and casting ability), but is equally at home in both fresh and salt waters. So go ahead and throw your favorite popper into that tight spot, once eaten there�s enough butt strength to yard bucket mouth & pike out of the lilly pads, rip mossback yellows & seabass from the kelp beds or haul backcountry snook & tarpon away from the mangroves.

Every Bluewater rods goes through TFO�s proprietary TiCr coating process twice, adding power and durability. The rich blue granite finish on the 3 piece Mini Mag blank is quite distinctive. The rod itself features oversized stripping and snake guides, a channeled and cushioned up-locking reel seat set in a flor grade full wells grip with fighting butt and has a casting window of 300-400 grains.

Suggested retail is $199.95.

All TFO rods feature a lifetime unconditional warranty. Simply return the damaged rod with $25 for shipping and handling, and we will repair or replace your rod. For additional information contact your local dealer or visit www.templeforkflyrods.com .


Contact:
Jim Shulin
Temple Fork Outfitters
(800) 638-9052 Toll free
jim@templeforkflyrods.com

who carries the tfo reels

Contact:
Jim Shulin
Temple Fork Outfitters
(800) 638-9052 Toll free
jim@templeforkflyrods.com

A call to Jim will help you find the nearest dealer or TFO's website has a list their dealers also. In general, anyone that sells the TFO rods should be able to get the TFO reels. The website is www.templeforkflyrods.com .

Rex

they need to update their site, the prism reels & mini-magum are not listed, what weights are available in mini-magnum ?, the sage is officially not listed by weight but the recommended line is 10 and 11 I believe, I am thinking a 9 might be right in the mini-mag or ross's new bass rod.

The Mini-Magnum is listed with the Bluewater series rods. It is listed as an 8 to 10 wt rod. The rod I cast and liked had a 10 wt line on it. I am interested in hearing what George has been using on his rod.

http://www.templeforkflyrods.com/rods/bluewater.html

You are right about the Prism reels. They are not listed on the website or at least I can't find them.

Rex

thanks, i helps to see the specs, etc on the rod, i would never have thought to look in bluewater

The Mini-Magnum fly rod and the Prism reel are new and were recently announced as Rex previously mentioned. I am sure they will have their website updated soon. In fact their Prism production reels were only received from the factory last week,
I received their new �flier� only yesterday.



When I first received the Mini-Mag prototype November of last year, an 11wt, 340 grain saltwater taper fly line worked best for me.
I consider it a 9-10 wt rod but line weight, grain classification is the most important consideration IMO.

I always �up-line� by two line weights on my Sage RPLX 9 weight to an 11wt, 340 grain fly line.
The Mini-Mag is rated for line weights 300-400 grains.

I currently use a 340-grain bass taper fly line but have experimented with a 400 grain line that works extremely well for short casts and big bass bugs in tight quarters. I like the 8 ft. length for that reason.

I sure wish cabelas carried the mini max, its awful tempting to buy from them right now with their 30 bucks off deal going on. sage raised the price of their warmwater rods by 50 bucks (which just about takes them out of the running for me).. I am presently using an St croix reign 8 weight, but some of the bugs I am making are pretty big & when they get wet can be hard to cast , might just try some 9 or 10 line... hmm, decisions, decisions. thanks everyone for the info.

Mike,
I know someone who has another Sage largemouth he is looking to get rid of for $275. I will see if it is still for sale.