SCOTT G2 886-4

[federkiel]

Hello,
my name is Michael and I am a long-time SCOTT (and ORVIS Superfine) fly rod friend from Germany. SAGE and ORVIS being number one in Germany and fairly abundant. SCOTT rods were almost unobtainable here for years and that is just changing again. We fish small meadow rivers/ creeks that are anything from 1m to 15 m wide (rarely more). We have stocked brook trout and grayling most often. Fishing pressure is high as we have only “hook and cook” here. Our flies are usually from 12 (wets) to 18 (dries) and also smaller but heavier weighted nymphs (copper john, wild boar fly with tungsten head) are also commonly used.

I just want to bring a fly rod to attention that is one of those gems that will only sell if people are aware of their capabilities. Usually, in Germany the fly shop owner/ staff does not know too much of the fishing abilities the different rod series of a given maker have. Recommended is what is more main stream and as such is more likely to sell (e.g. mainly HELIOS 2 and RADIANs are recommended, not SUPERFINE´s or G2´s, although for our waters and most casters they would be the better rods). Also rod reviews from the US contribute to the opinions here.
Anyhow. 6 months ago I aqcuired a SCOTT G2 6 weight that is still available through the custom rod shop program that might be of interest to other fly anglers. I am speaking of the SCOTT G2 886-4. This rod has slowly become my favorite rod, although it is a 6 weight and we use 4 weights most often here. I think it is the way how this rod casts and its versatility that makes me use it so often.

I posted this information already somewhere more hidden and you folks here are SCOTT friends as well, so I submit it again:

“The SCOTT description for the G2 886-4 was “If you are going out for a day on the water where you´ll likely be fishing streamers and big nymphs. Power for the big stuff with a medium flex and a softer tip to keep you in the game when the hatch starts”.

I have recently bought the SCOTT G2 886-4 through the SCOTT Custom Shop fly rod program (Telluride Angler) because SCOTT discontinued it from the normal G2 line. After 8 weeks the rod was finished and ready for delivery. Cosmetically it is the best looking production graphite fly rod I have ever seen (I have also compared it to a WINSTON Elite fly rod). I have had it made with nickel silver appointments, amboyna burl wood spacer, maroon thread wraps and silver trim. The cork grip is of outstanding quality. The epoxy is not just slapped over the thread as is now with the newer Winston´s (their workmanship IMO has gone down with sloppy hand writing, too much epoxy, no nice zebra wood spacers any more and average cork grips on most of their current line-up).
The G2 886-4 is a very balanced rod that is not tip heavy at all. The butt section is incredibly strong and has some weight on its own and the tip is sensitive. Still the rod is not overly heavy for a 6wt and does not feel as clunky as many 9 footers. You feel the weight only in the grip part. It is a medium-fast rod that generates a high line speed. Compared to my old favourite, a Winston WT 8`6 ft in 6 weight, this G2 886-4 is much much more powerful but also has much more feel at the same time and loads better in close. Combined with that, it is very accurate and the remarkable thing is that it delivers trout streamers and very heavy nymphs with the same feel and accuracy as tiny dry flies (you have to change the leader length in between from 7ft for streamers and heavy nymphs to anything up to 12ft for dries). And in that it is unique (and for that and normal trout fishing in smaller rivers/ creeks I like it more compared to the Radian in 6wt 9ft, which is a great streamer and nymph rod for large streams).
I strongly recommend the SA Sharkwave Ultimate Trout WF6F line. This line is very similar if not absolutely identical with the ORVIS HYDROS 3D/ HD WF 6 fly line offering. The rod casts as accurate in very close where it already loads well and at 65 ft. It is possible to cast the rod 60-70ft with a double haul easily. Above that I couldn´t cast without that the rod felt uncomfortable. But these distances are not of interest in trout fishing anyhow. Compared to the G2 884 it is faster, has no problems with wind at all, but still offers the same feel. The G2 886-4 has the widest range of fliy sizes and weights that it can deliver with grace that I have ever used.
For my fishing and casting abilities (average), the SCOTT G2 886-4 is one of the best trout fly rods ever designed. I also like a lot the SCOTT rods F2 653-3, the G2 in 884-4 or 845-4 and this G2 886-4. If more anglers ask for the G2 886-4 rod model, maybe SCOTT will bring it back.”

All the best
Michael

Michael Z

[Author]

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