The "Swing" by Scott Fly Rods

It’s been a while since I put a Scott Spey rod in my steelhead quiver, which is on me. I’ve a long history with this company and Mr. Jim Bartschi. I caught my first Tarpon in the Florida Keys on a Scott ARC 10wt almost 40 years ago. I’ve been a big fan of the various G Series Rods that they have built and fish several of them. When it comes to chasing my favorite fish, steelhead, one of my first sweet rods was the Scott ARC 10’-2pc 8wt single handed rod, which I still have. It’s smooth, light, and beautiful to cast, especially a long dry line. As I transitioned into the two handed game one of my favorite rods was the Scott ARC 1287 - 3pc Spey rod. This rod was such a well balanced and easy rod to cast, it quickly became a favorite.

That rod in particular was generously given to me by Greg Pearson some time ago. It was one of those rods that from the first cast I could tell was something special. The next several iterations for Scott in the Spey rod world I never quite got comfortable with. Others in the shop loved them, but I never really grooved on them, which doesn't mean they were bad rods, they just didn’t suit me.

Now along comes The Swing series of Spey rods from the Scott Fly Rod Co. In particular the 13’8” - 7wt. In general I feel that 7wt Spey rods are among the most versatile weight rods for pursuing steelhead here in the lower 48 and BC. For me a 7wt Spey rod handles most of my steelheading. And I’m fortunate to have fished a wide variety of northwest rivers over the four decades I’ve been chasing these elusive fish. What the Swing model offers that my other 7wt weight rods I fish don’t is a little extra length and more power. Since I predominantly fish long belly lines, having a longer rod makes fishing these lines even more effortless. That extra length is an advantage when I’m having to make a longer cast or wading deeper water, yet its length doesn’t offset the rod's balance. I’m more efficient with my casting and those extra inches give me more control of the swing when skating dry flies or grease lining, which is what I do.

My introduction to this rod occurred during our annual June Western Rivers Fair. I had the chance to wiggle one of the new Swing Spey rods and it felt pretty sweet. Even reminiscent of my Scott rod from the past. It reminded me of the smooth casting and well balanced ARC I so enjoyed in my early days of steelheading with a single handed rod initially then the two hander that Greg gave me. I didn’t get a chance to put a line on the rod that day, but it left an impression.

Months later as Fall approached I reached out to the Scott Fly Rod Co and Mr. Bartschi made sure I had one to take to BC for my annual stint in “Steelhead Paradise”. Since getting it, and now having spent a fair amount of pond time airing it out, that wiggle in June didn’t deceive me. I’ve tested a variety of Spey lines on it; Long Belly, Mid Belly and Scandi, and it handled all of them well. I’m sure it would throw a Skagit line just as well, but a pond isn’t the best place to test out these lines. Needless to say it’s versatile and can easily manage a variety of lines depending on your jam.

At the moment I’m throwing the RIO Long Head Spey 7/8, 620gr’s, line on the rod. I’ve found that it is a perfect match. I have several old RIO Power Spey lines that I prefer and use on one of my other slower Spey rods, but it didn’t give the Swing the pop in the cast that I knew it had. The Long Belly line from RIO brought out the best in what this rod has to offer me. It’s an impressive rod that I’m anxiously waiting to fish.

So if you’re looking for a very versatile Spey rod that will fish a variety of lines and waters well that is forgiving, smooth, well balanced and light, this Scott Swing 13’8” - 7wt 4pc is one to consider. From my first cast with this beautiful rod, I knew it was something special and I haven’t been disappointed. Now I just need a grab, which will occur sooner vs later.