Which Scott Rod Should You Buy?

We get this question in the shop almost every day, and since Scott rods are built right here in Montrose, we have spent more time fishing them than just about anyone. So here is our honest, plain English guide to picking the right one. No hype, just what we would tell you if you walked up to the rack.

First, the good news. There is no bad Scott rod. They are all handcrafted, all made in Colorado, and all backed by a lifetime warranty. The question is not which one is best. It is which one is best for how you fish.

If you want one rod that does almost everything: the Scott Centric

The Centric is the rod we hand most people. It is Scott's do it all trout rod, the one that replaced the legendary Radian, and it is a little faster and noticeably lighter in the hand. It throws tight, stable loops with very little effort, protects light tippet, and still has the backbone to punch a hopper dropper into the wind. If you fish a variety of water and want to carry one rod that never leaves you wishing you had brought a different one, this is it. A 9 foot 5 weight Centric is the single most versatile trout rod we sell. [$995]

Best for: all around trout anglers, one rod quivers, anyone who wants Scott's flagship feel.

If you want Scott quality at a friendlier price: the Scott Session

The Session gives you a lot of what makes a Scott a Scott, in a faster, more accessible package. It loads quickly, recovers fast, and is a genuinely fun rod to fish. If the Centric is a touch above your budget or you want a crisp, fast action for indicator nymphing and streamers, the Session is a very easy rod to recommend. [$695]

Best for: anglers who want a real Scott without the flagship price, fast action fans, nymph and streamer fishers.

If you fish big water, streamers, or salt: the Scott Sector and Wave

When the fish get bigger and the wind gets meaner, you want more rod. Scott's Sector and Wave families are built for saltwater and big water work, with the power to throw heavy flies and long casts in tough conditions. If you are heading to the flats, chasing pike and bass, or throwing big streamers for the biggest browns, this is the direction to look. [Wave $695] [Sector $1095]

Best for: saltwater, big streamers, windy conditions, larger species.

Still not sure? That is what we are here for.

The truth is, the best way to choose a Scott is to cast a few. Rod feel is personal, and what loads perfectly for one angler feels off to another. Come into the shop in Montrose, tell us how and where you fish, and we will put the right rods in your hand. If you cannot make it in, call us at 970-964-9991 and we will talk it through. We fish these rods every week on our home rivers, and we would rather get you into the right one than the expensive one.

And if you really want to know a rod before you commit, book a guided trip and fish a Scott on the Gunnison with one of our guides. There is no better test drive.

Shop all Scott fly rods or talk to our team. Book a guided trip and fish one first.