Scott Radian Fly Rod

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Scott-Radian-fly-rod

Scott Fly Rods had a great showing this year at the IFTD show in Las Vegas with the unveiling of their new Radian Series fly rods. The series not only took home the award for Best New Fly Rod but it also won Best New Product for 2013. In all honesty, I was really happy for Scott Fly Rods, because I felt like in a long while, for a change, a fly rod that should have won an award, actually did. Furthermore, Scott Fly Rods marketing slogan for the Radian Series “Fast Meets Feel” is an accurate and meaningful description that’s truthful. If you don’t believe me, go out and cast one and see for yourself.

radian-fly-rod

The first thought that popped into my head after I cast the Radian, was harmony. It’s an unbelievably crisp casting (fast action) fly rod. The taper design is spot on. When you cast the rod you can feel the butt, mid and tip sections of the rod working flawlessly together. It provided me with a deep feeling of connection to the rod, and gave me the confidence I could hit any target I wanted to with it. A lot anglers claim that a good fly rod should feel like an extension of your arm and hand. Not all rods provide that feeling, but in all seriousness, that’s exactly how the Radian made me feel. It casts well at long and short distances, and unlike most fast action rods, it roll casts pretty damn good. The aesthetics and components of the Radian series fly rods are top notch, providing everything you would expect to see in a high end fly rod, with some added extras. Below is a video with Jim Bartschi who talks in detail about the Radian Series fly rods.

If you’re looking for a fast action rod that won’t sacrifice feel or versatility/ability on the water, the Radian is it. As knit picky as I am about fly rods, I could not find a single thing I didn’t like about the Radian fly rod. It’s a precision built fly rod made in the USA, and I’m sure it’s going to be one of the top selling high end fly rods this year. Don’t sit around if you want one, because I hear the fly shops are already having a hard time keeping them in stock. The 4-piece Radian Series retails for $795 and its available in a 4 through 8 weight.

Since you’ve taken the time to read my thoughts on the Radian fly rod, I thought I’d also provide you two other well written and credible reviews on it. You’ll find that many of our views are the same and it may help you in decide if this rod is for you. Please check them out if you have time.

Ross Pernell with Fly Fisherman Magazine, “Scott Radian a Home Run

Colorado Skies Outfitters, “Scott Radian Fly Rod Water Review & Casting Test

Keep it Reel,

Come fish with us in the Bahamas!

Kent Klewein
Gink & Gasoline
www.ginkandgasoline.com
hookups@ginkandgasoline.com
 
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8 thoughts on “Scott Radian Fly Rod

  1. I’ve cast several models of the Radian and I have to say they are probably the nicest rods on the market. They feel really light in the hand. They have a lot of feel; more so than other fast action rods. They are quite forgiving of casting errors; I think because you really feel them load. They are also easier to cast with a short length of line out than most other fast action rods. That being said, I don’t think they are as powerful for making long casts as the Sage One.

    • Keith,

      Thanks for providing us your testimonial on the Radian fly rod, particularly about the forgiveness of the rod. That is spot on and it was noticeably more forgiving than the Sage ONE for me when I cast the two side by side. My favorite Radian model that I’ve cast is the 9′ 6″ 6wt.

      Kent

      • Hi Kent,

        What do you think of using that 9’6″ 6wt Radian for carp, largemouth bass, and steelhead. I’m just getting into carp fishing and I find that an 8wt is a bit much. Do you think I’d be better off with the 9′ 6wt. I’ve cast both and I get longer casts with the longer rod, but I wonder if the shorter rod will really be better when it’s windy. I’d just get the shorter one but I’m afraid it won’t mend well when I’m nymphing for steelhead. I’d appreciate any advice you can give.

        • Hey Keith,

          I think the 6wt would be on the light side for big steelhead and also for casting big bass bugs for largemouth. I could see it getting the job done for carp in some situations, but I’d take a serious look at the 7wt if I was going to be doing a lot of carping. Moving up a weight would really open the door to what species you could fish with it.

          The 9′ 6″ 6wt, as stated, was my favorite rod I cast for trout. It’s quite capable of fishing a 150-200 grain sinking line with streamers (ex:SA Streamer Express) and it’s deadly accurate with dries and the extra 6″ of length helps for high-sticking and efficient mending. Hope this helps.

          Kent

  2. Can somebody advise me.

    I am fishing in Europe most of the time with 10 ft # 3 rods (Czech or French style). The traditional 10 ft nymphing rods usually don’t cast well when switching to dry flies.

    I still have a Sage XP 9.6 ft # 5 rod but I never fish with it. It is to stiff (fast ?) and to heavy for me. I like medium action rods that can be casted with accuracy.

    I hear a lot of good about the Scott Radian (combination of speed and control) but there is no decent distributor around. I am considering to buy a 10 ft # 4, can anybody give me some input.

    Also, what is the best balanced large arbour reel that goes with it ? Is it a Scott ? I hear about the Nautilus reels that they are light but are they good too?

    I plan a trip to Calgary Bow River this summer and would appreciate your help

  3. I bought a Radian 3wt a few months back and have enjoyed fishing with it. Actually Scott rods are the only thing I’ve owned in 20+ years of fly fishing. I was always under the impression that if I had any issue at all with a rod I could send it in and they would send me a replacement no questions asked. I’ve sent tons of people to Scott for rods telling them the same. I slipped and fell and broke the tip off my new rod and broke a couple guides a few weeks ago. I sent the rod in plus the $50 they require thinking I would get a new rod in the mail and today I spent quite a while on the phone with them going back and forth. It seems they do a repair to the rod instead of replace the rod. That really bums me out. I’m looking for a 2 weight rod and was planning on another Scott. Now I’ve spent the better part of a day looking at other brands.

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