Scott S4 Fly Rod review
Journal Date: January 11th, 2009 | Filed Under: Reviews
Recently on www.maineflyfish.com, anglers were discussing new products they had purchased in 2008. It got me thinking about what I had bought besides the used Hyde drift boat. I had purchased a Scott A2 and a Scott S4 9 foot, 5 weight fly rod. I think I used the S4 rod more than the other. I used it on the West Branch of the Penobscot River for land locked salmon and on the Penobscot River for smallmouth bass, so I was able to try this rod on dry flies to poppers.
When I received my rod, my eye was drawn to two things right off, the color of the rod and the wood spacer which is buckeye burl. I liked the fact the rod was a grey color because my rods see a lot of water time and end up on the rocks and ground while I take photos of fish. Sometimes they end up in the hand of a new fly fisherman, which may put them at greater risk for damage and I don’t want to worry about ruining the pretty rod. The grey color helps camouflage potential dings.
When I put the rod together and placed it in my hand, I instantly loved how it felt. I could feel it had a stiffness to it but not like a broom handle. When you wiggled it in your hand, like everyone does, it had a nice feel to it, stiff but not too stiff. I knew this was going to replace my XP.
The first place I tried it out was on the West branch of the Penobscot throwing a nymphing rig, two split shots, a big stone fly and a dropper. It had no problem flinging that set up up river all day and I never broke a fish off due to stiffness of the rod. I thought the real test would be in the evening at the Big Eddy throwing dries to big salmon just before dark. It laid the # 16 caddis out nicely and had tons of power to get to those hard to reach fish. Again, I never broke off a salmon on the set due to stiffness of the rod.
I also gave it a run on the Penobscot for smallmouth bass and it had no problem throwing large flies into the wind. I never got fatigue casting all day and I mean 8 to 10 hour days plus casting poppers and chenoblys. It also handled clousers and buggers nicely but I should have had a 6 or 7 weight; I bet those would be a great streamer rod, maybe this year.
Keep in mind I am a guide and fly fisherman, I don’t get into the technical aspects of fly fishing equipment. I just want to give you an honest opinion. I am not sure of their warranty but expect it to be as good as their rods. So my over all opinion is the S4 9 foot 5 weight is a great all around rod, to chase most any fish.
Kevin McKay
