News

Far Bank Enterprises, the parent company of fly brands Sage, RIO Products, Redington and Fly Water Travel, has donated proceeds from the sale of its limited-edition Sage SALT R8 Tarpon One rods to two key conservation charities.

It donated $4,000 each to the US-based Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Captains for Clean Water from sales of the 8ft 10in one-piece version of Sage’s premium 11-weight SALT R8.

Beyond its special one-piece construction, it features a Tim Borski custom-engraved tarpon reel seat, Bently Black custom colourway, as well as premium titanium and heavy-duty anodised aluminium components.

A limited quantity of 150 units of the unique made-in-the-USA rod were only available through an exclusive network of Sage saltwater specialty fly shops with the intention of drawing awareness and providing financial support to conservation initiatives championed by the two organisations

Peter Knox, director of hardgoods product development at Far Bank, explained: “This project sprang from impressions formed during the development of the SALT R8 a few years ago and can ultimately be attributed to relationships made on the water with some truly incredible people in south Florida.

“The south Florida guide community was instrumental in the R&D of our SALT R8 rod and was a big part of its success. We were spending weeks at a time down there testing prototypes and gathering feedback from some of the greatest saltwater guides in the world.

“It was during those hours with those people that their devotion to a community and the stewardship of an ecosystem at risk began to plant the seed for a way for us to give back, and the work of BTT and CFCW helped to give us a target for the project.”

BTT president and CEO Jim McDuffie added: “The TARPON ONE project is a great example of how leading brands in the fishing industry can collaborate with non-profit partners to advance the conservation and restoration of the paces we all hold dear.

“Proceeds will directly benefit BTTs work in southwest Florida, where we are restoring critical habitat for juvenile tarpon and snook while at the same time helping to support coastal resiliency for local communities.”

Capt Chris Wittman, co-founder of Captains for Clean Water, noted: “This kind of partnership shows the real power of community in conservation. Far Bank and their network of specialty shops didn’t just build and sell a rod – they helped build momentum for clean water advocacy.

“We’re proud to see anglers, guides, and companies coming together to protect the ecosystems that support our water, our fisheries, and our way of life.”