From dredging for steelhead to swinging streamers for trout, the Skagit Lite is Spey on a smaller scale. In fact, I’d describe it as the taper you’d get if Mastery Trout and MPX had a child: MPX in front, Mastery Trout in back. Photo: by Arian Stevens. It’s got a long front taper, a short, thick belly, and a long handling section/rear taper. Beulah Elixir 300gr Switch. Its performance is pretty similar to its higher-priced counterparts and we didn’t see any marked benefit to the AST slickness tech or Amplitude tech. Short and powerful taper for casting heavy sink tips. The Hype: Let’s be honest. What makes this line unique in this shootout is that it’s the only SA Wavelength line we tested. Mastery Bonefish is a great value line for Bonefish anglers. That being said, this is a great Bonefish line offering from SA. This line in a game changer! On Sale Unavailable per item Long belly line designed for effortless casting. Ultra-short head for turning over heavy tips with light two-handed rods; Tip recommendations: 150-210 grains – SONAR leaders; 240-300 grains – 8’ TC Tips; 330-420 grains – 8’ or 10’ TC Tips; Lines can be used with single-handed rods as well Casting Notes: SA designed this line to be the best all-around fly line in tropical fly fishing. Fly Lines. SA Mastery MPX replaces our much loved GPX as SA’s all-around trout line for faster rods. If you continue to use this site we assume that you are okay with it. 4. This is a line that can also be used for Redfish, Snook, and a wider range of tropical species than other ‘Bonefish-specific’ fly lines. Scientific Anglers needs no introduction. The Frequency Salt threw stable loops, got a solid presentation score especially at longer distances, and provided classic performance for a wide range of saltwater applications. Prior to this shootout, I’ve never been a fan of mid-priced lines. It’s also true that this line is fairly light in weight, particularly up front. Pro-Guide Login; Pro-Guide Registration; Find SA. All in one day. There’s really nothing special about the taper. See the Amplitude Bonefish for complete casting notes on these three lines. MPX and Wavelength MPX cast pretty much the same. Scandi Lite lines will work best with a standard 9’ tapered leader. Bottom line: An amazing line for fishing everything but dries. It’s just too heavy and front loaded to work well on slower rods. Free ground shipping on all orders over $50. This was one of our favorite lines in the shootout. Built for beginner to intermediate Spey casters. Tip lengths optimized for each density; as the length of the sink portion increases, the total length decreases. Fly Lines; Leaders; Tippet; Flies; Saltwater. We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing shootouts to give you all of the tools to make your next trip a success. Length. and it’s totally unlike any other line made before it. SA Ambassador Brian Silvey letting a cast fly. While the company was started in 1945, Scientific Anglers has been a constant source of innovation in fly line technology, including the invention of the modern tapered fly line. The 25’ head means that you won’t have to can’t make a bunch of false casts, but it loads so fast that you wouldn’t want to anyway. Bottom Line: This is a budget line that caters to the Redfish angler looking to load a fast action rod quickly at short distances. They’ve succeeded. SBT has a very long front taper like SHS– but it’s even more aggressive. 160-180 grains. Casting Notes: The Frequency Salt has decent all-around performance for a budget line. Casting Notes: We tested this line in both the Amplitude and Amplitude Smooth versions which have the same taper and similar performance. I can’t explain it and it doesn’t make sense given its light overall weight – maybe I was having an off day. Permit. Bottom Line: Again, this is a line for the angler who’s targeting multiple species and needs a fly line with versatility and performance. The Hype: A short-bellied fly line with an extended handling section. The Hype: The Ultimate Trout taper is a trout angler’s dream. Sure it has a slightly longer front taper, but that’s not going to compensate for the difference. In fact, about the only thing I don’t love about this line is its presentation. Line Recommendations. Bonefish. Two-Handed; Spey Lite; Shooting Lines & Tapers; Leader; Tippet; Backing; Outfits; Accessories; About Us. The Hype: Ideally suited for fiberglass, bamboo, and slow-action graphite rods, the Heritage Ultra is a true presentation trout fly line. Home. Does it have better presentation than GPX? Casting the SBT is totally non-traditional. However, tips between twenty to fifty grain from other manufactures work perfectly fine as well. Scientific Anglers Deliverance Spey from Scientific Anglers on Vimeo. It’s aggressive and versatile which means it does a lot of things well but it’s not a delicate line. Please keep in mind these recommendations serve as a starting point and are based on the best match to bring an “All-around” performance out of the rod. Connect; History; Ambassadors; Fly Line Material; Newsletter Sign Up; Careers; Pro-Guide. Below, here is a calculator of what is DVS all about. On the surface, you might think it fairly similar to Rio SHS, but in reality it’s far lighter and less aggressive. Scientific Anglers Spey Classic Fly Line (9/10): Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors. Bottom line: A great all-around line for faster rods. There are at least 10 in this test alone. A question: how does the SA Amplitude Anadromous/nymph line compare with the SA Sharkwave Anadro line? And now, they're back. Designed to deliver dries with a soft touch, no matter the distance, the Ultimate Trout can also handle nymphs and small streamers, depending on the occasion. The Hype: The Frequency Salt features an “all-around compound saltwater taper designed to load rods quickly and cut through the wind”. Scientific Anglers new Skagit Spey heads give two handed casters both floating and sinking option for skagit style lines. It’s got a slightly tapered belly and roughly average front and rear tapers. Ultra reminded me of a detuned version of GPX – solid performance in every category, but nothing that really stood out in any way. Typically, fly lines with a light, long taper don't shoot as well as lines with heavier front tapers. Textured line theoretically floats better and minimizes friction in the rod guides but it wasn’t hugely noticeable for us. Introducing our Spey Lite collection, and the Integrated Skagit Spey line. SBT is like Rio SHS, but taken to the extreme. Scientific Anglers Steelhead 7wt or 8wt. SA Mastery SBT (Short Belly Taper) is one of the 3 single-hand spey focused lines in the test. You can cast these lines overhead as well, but the casting stroke is different than a standard single hand line. While we much preferred the textured version of the line, for anglers who’d rather fish with a smooth line, the smooth version has similar performance and equal versatility. Think of this as MPXX. Can you give me your recommendation for a fly line floating. They all cast relatively similarly and feature the same taper. Despite its roots, SA Mastery Expert Distance had average performance. Amplitude; Amplitude Smooth; Mastery Series; Sonar; Frequency; AirCel | WetCel; Two-Handed. Scientific Anglers Mastery VPT Fly Line. I know I went on about how presentation doesn’t really matter, but this line is one of the few lines that really could use better presentation. We really liked casting the Anadro line – it’s one of the best nymph/streamer/beginner lines out there. He recently took time out of his schedule to sit down with us and help make some sense out of why they design their various Spey lines the way that they do. They were virtually identical in casting and taper. The head of the line is heavy but not too heavy to encourage easy shooting capabilities and solid performance at distance. If you’re an angler who uses a fast action rod to target multiple species in tropical conditions, the Amplitude Grand Slam really is the best fly line on the market. It’s a presentation line for casts under 30’ and a shooting head after that. While the coldwater version works well for Stripers, the Tropical Titan has more limited applications. Being a Skagit line Commando Smooth fly lines require floating or sinking Tips for maximum performance. I'm thinking of WF 8 ... For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The Hype: An ideal trout dry-fly line, the VPT features an extended front taper that presents flies delicately and also serves to help perform roll casts and single-handed Spey maneuvers. $39.95. SA Frequency Boost is a pretty traditional line. On the NRX, the Magnum was also a little overloaded, but it would work well for beginners as it loaded close and it’s also not too bad at chucking streamers. It’s a line that loads fast action rods well and has really incredible shooting capabilities. This is one of the thickest lines and THE heaviest line in the shootout at a whopping 383.8 grains (total head weight). Unsurprisingly, SA Frequency Magnum didn’t cast well on the Circa. Scientific Anglers Heritage Ultra Presentation line is a throwback to earlier days. Wavelength MPX is the same line as Mastery MPX (though the version we tested was actually a few grains heavier), but is textured. The line’s user-friendly performance also makes it a solid option for beginners looking for a do-it-all fly line that’ll perform in any situation. The critical parts to get … This Scientific Anglers Freightliner Skagit Head intermediate Spey line is specifically designed for casting with a two-handed rod, has welded loops for easy loop-to-loop connection and contains Advanced Shooting Technology for continual line slickness so lines cast … Unfortunately, this great taper now costs $20 more and only comes in a textured version, I’m sure you could get used to this line…. Nymphing, Streamers, Beginners, everyone fishing an NRX should be looking at this rod. The Hype: Built a half-size heavy, the GPX’s extra weight up front helps load fast-action rods and can greatly increase line speed when used with a double haul. Bottom Line: If you prefer a smooth line and want a versatile line that’s oriented toward the Bonefish angler, this is a great choice. About Scientific Anglers Fly Lines. Scientific Anglers Mastery Series Distance Spey SKU: $86.95. Connect; History; Ambassadors; Fly Line Material; Newsletter Sign Up; Careers; Pro-Guide. It’s really, really important to figure out the right line for your spey rod. The line was smooth, encouraged stable loops, and presented flies pretty well at longer distances. Cortland Precision Platinum Salmon 9wt. Its white color and classic taper are designed for softer rods. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. Scientific Anglers Distance Spey Fly Line Chartreuse/Orange, 670gr in Fluorocarbon Line. It’s a combination that no one asked for… ever. SA's use of micro-balloons and variable tapered coatings was named the most important sport fishing innovation of the 1960's. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchase, so if this shootout helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, support us by buying your next fly line (or better yet, your next rod and reel), from us. I’ve just never understood the rationale between spending $800 for a fly rod and trying to save a few $ on the fly line. Let me tell you, that this line has changed my mind. If you’re an angler looking for a versatile Bonefish line that doesn’t cost as much as the others, this is the best fly line on the market. What I mean by that, the texturing added about 10’ to my cast. Also, while we didn’t see shooting benefits compared to the other two SA Bonefish lines, all three lines did pretty well in the shooting category, especially for lines with longer, lighter tapers. Fly Lines. The VPT (Mastery Versatile Presentation) is an ideal trout dry-fly line with an extended front taper that presents flies delicately and also serves to help perform roll casts and single-handed Spey maneuvers. Bottom line: One of the best dry fly lines out there. The answer is simple: this line is awesome. That means more mass is distributed to the front of the line, which assists in turning over weighted flies and performing roll casts. Designed for light double-handed duty and with a short, powerful taper, the Lite Skagit is ideal for smaller streams and trout Spey applications. Beulah Tonic 325gr Switch. Interestingly enough, SBT is almost a true 5-weight, and in fact it has the lightest total head weight of any line in the test. It even makes a pretty good beginner line. Ultra-short head for turning over heavy tips with light two-handed rods; Tip recommendations: 150-210 grains – SONAR leaders; 240-300 grains – 8’ TC Tips; 330-420 grains – 8’ or 10’ TC Tips; Lines can be used with single-handed rods as well Caddisflyshop.com stocks a wide array of Scientific Anglers lines, leaders and tippet for fly fishing. Casting Notes: See the notes on the SA Amplitude Infinity Salt above. It was our best selling line (and SA’s bestselling line). Shop. It casts a mile, roll casts well, and has a very delicate presentation. Loads better in close the some light trout lines, Really good shooting performance compared to other Bonefish lines, No huge shooting benefit to Amplitude AST, Limited applications in a tropical setting, Short shots made easy with a short, heavy taper, Loop stability and turnover worsens with distance, Smooth performance, tight loops, and quality presentation capabilities, Good presentation score at longer distances, Not the best choice for anglers looking for a line that does the work for them, Doesn’t present flies as delicately as other lines in the shootout. Josh Jenkins is the R&D Manager at Scientific Anglers. It’s also the inspiration for many of SA’s current offerings (including the ever popular MPX). Casting Notes: We’re pretty familiar with the coldwater version of this line as it’s one of the best for blind casting for Stripers in the surf here in the northeast. Luckily they kept it around in their signature “Sharkwave” series. SharkWave Anadro also had the curious property of being a LOT better in the SharkWave version than the Mastery version. a. A selection of heads, tips and leaders were used on the HARDY ZEPHRUS 8/9 and the NEW DEMON 8/9 SPEY RODS to determine these recommendations. Bottom line: Save this one for the casting competition. Scientific Anglers Spey Lite Overview from Scientific Anglers on Vimeo. As one of the largest fly line manufacturers today, SA produces lines not only under their own label, but under that of Orvis, Royal Wulff, and many others. Bottom line: SBT and Rio SHS are lines that are definitely worth trying, and must haves if you do a lot of roll casting or are fishing in tight quarters. I was told by a friend that you still make the same (or very similar) line under a different name that he said was "Sonar". That being said, it’s not a line that encourages delicate presentations like some of the other Bonefish lines in the shootout. Luckily, the Frequency Boost, built a half-size heavy, provides just that. While Ultra will definitely save you money, we preferred GPX on both the Circa and NRX, for every category. Site by 21 Designs. The long head does a few things: it makes mending and roll casting a LOT easier and you can hold a lot more line in the air. This line wasn’t the best line in windy conditions but perhaps we were spoiled by lines like the Tropical Titan with a much heavier head and aggressive front taper. While it wouldn’t be my first choice for delicate dry fly fishing, it’s definitely the best choice for everything else. No one will ever turn down a little extra help with their cast. This post is part of our Fly Line Shootout, so if you haven't read our main post, you probably want to check it out. It roll casts REALLY well. Its shorter overall length also makes it shoot line just a little bit better. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. If you’re not crazy about the AST slickness, the Mastery has performance that’s pretty close to the AMP and AMP Smooth lines for a lower price. Find a Shop; Instruction; Contact These lines are totally new to the market and feature really long front tapers. Amplitude; Amplitude Smooth; Mastery Series; Sonar; Frequency; AirCel | WetCel; Two-Handed. Orders over $50 ship free in the USA. SA Sharkwave Ultimate Trout is tapered a LOT like MPX, but with a slightly longer belly and a longer rear taper. The Tropical Titan is “the perfect line for throwing large flies in the hottest environments”. If you’re not familiar with Sharkwave, it features Sharkskin texturing on the tip, Mastery texturing on the head and running line, and a smooth handling section at the end of the head. Closeout. While Expert Distance has a slightly longer taper, they are very similar, and in fact within a few grains of one another in terms of weight. Fish it with an ultra-fast action rod and you’ll be able to cast it pretty far. Looking over some of our conclusions, you might think that would make this line better… but for some reason it doesn’t.