Scott S4 rod
Andrew Connell test drives Scott's latest 6wt.
Where do you start with a rod review? Sure, I could just say the new Scott S4 looks really sweet. And it does, with that California buckeye burl wood insert on the silver reel seat. Or I could mention the way they wrap grey thread with silver highlight bindings over the REC Recoil nickel titanium snake guides to match the blank. The rod even has fish-measuring wraps marked in silver thread and an inscription at 12" and 20". However, I think most fly fishers would like to know how these new rods actually perform in a range of fishing situations.
The S4 is exactly the type of 6-weight rod I have been looking to add to my arsenal for some time. It feels light and the ‘tip butt’ action (fast action) is great for polaroiding, or making precise casts to tailing fish.
While polaroiding at up to 20 feet the rod was easy to load and not at all stiff. Usually, I would ‘up-line’ while fishing in this situation but the S4 has such a nice tip that you really are able to ‘cast’ these short distances, rather than having to ‘flick’ the rod and line.
At 20 to 50 feet the dun-feeders didn’t have a chance. With quick, precise, delicate presentations this rod is a joy. It is smooth and accurate, with the stopping power you need to handle the bigger fish (5 lb +). I also tested the rod in very windy conditions with weighted flies, and had no problems. Generating abundant line speed is a revelation, thanks to the fast recovery material used by Scott.
When chasing midge and caddis feeders out wide at around 70 to 90 feet the rod was more than capable, but long distance casting (more than 70 feet), in my opinion, isn’t really this rod’s niche. Compared to most other 9-ft 6-weights, the Scott S4 has a lovely, sweet feel in close. It loads really well, and when coupled with a light, large arbor reel, is unbeatable as an all day, all purpose rod that won’t tire the more fragile amongst us.
With a long-head line such as Scientific Anglers Expert Distance or Sharkskin, or the Rio Gold, the rod comes to life.
At a retail price of $949 the Scott S4 has a lot to offer, and the Scott fly rod company has a bright future ahead in Australia under a new distribution arrangement.
Now distributed by Mayfly Tackle 03 9899 0034.