SCOTT G2

[S.Trutta]

Just wanted to know what everyone thinks of these newly designed rods. I had my eye on the older "G" series rods, wanting the 8ft 4wt and have been saving to try and buy them. I see nowthey have replaced them with the G2 and wanted to know what people thought. The thing that has me worried is the "un-finished" blanks. Is this the same type thing that the orvis clearwater rods had where the wraps on the outside were sticking out and not sanded down? I hated that on those rods, thought it made them look really cheap, and really dont know if i can justify spending $595 for a rod with that kind of a finish. I also see they dont have an 8ft 4wt, but i might be able to get away with the 8'4 4wt. The other rod i may opt for instead is the Winston WT 8ft 4wt Tom Morgan Favorite which i have fished before and is beautiful. Any advice and comments on the new rods would be greatly appreciated.

Rich

[James Buice]

I'm a Winston fan, but the G2 is quickly becoming my new favorite trout rod. It's soft like the Winston rods but has the backbone to throw bigger junk and cast a bit farther if needed.

As for the unfinished blanks, the blanks are not sanded, so the graphite wraps are pronounced, but it looks 200% better than the Orivs Clearwater. The Scott blanks are not sanded, but they are coated, which means the blanks maintain a nice finish with some really cool looking wraps. There are 12" and 20" wraps on the rod so those 'how long was he' questions can be answered with some amount of relative truth. I'd not worry about the unsanded blank; check them out in person, they're really cool looking.

The 8'4" is a sweet rod. I've cast the TMF (this is purely opinion on my part) and it's a very, very soft rod. The G2, while having a very soft tip, can handle small stream work and medium sized rivers like the Chattooga very well.

Best thing I can tell you to do is cast both rods and make your decision.

James

[S.Trutta]

I agree , Im gonna have to see these new G2's in person and cast them before I'll be able to decide. My dad has that wintson tmf and ive fished it alot and love it. That is as soft as I would want to go because im sure ill spend half my time fishing nymphs with that rod. The scott has a little more backbone?....that might be a good thing. One question that I was unclear on....Is there a coating over the wraps, or do you feel them raised up when you run your fingers over them? Thats really cool about the 12 and 20 inch wraps!!!

Rich

[spinboy]

Somebody buy this poor school teacher one, and I'll be glad to give you a full synopsis.


Seriously.... 7'6" 3-4 wt

[S.Trutta]

Haha, wish I had the money to do that. This is my first semester graduated from college so needless to say I am having to save big time to afford a rod this pricey. Fly Fishing is really my only hobby, and i do it as much as i can year round, so I believe in purchasing the best equipment I can possibly afford. Its still gonna be a little while for the rod....that $300+ I just dropped on my new Orvis Tailwater Xt's waders broke the bank!!

Rich

[spinboy]

A bit of irony methinks....You are Rich but not rich.

[habersham mongol]

Build your own it is much cheaper, and you can make a better rod!

[S.Trutta]

If I had the time to do it I would. I have jumped head first into an extremely busy career in pharma sales, and on the weekends Id rather be on the river than in my basement. Maybe when things slow down and I get a chance ill build some rods, another bamboo or two would be nice!!!


Rich

[Jackster]

I cast the 5 weight at a local shop. Both the shop owner and I agreed... what's the point?
The rod seemed rather un-remarkable in action and the looks were alright but I wouldn't swap any rods I own for a G2.
That said, I REALLY wanted the G2 to knock my socks off! I love Scott rods... the little 6'10" 3 weight 'G' I use will go to the grave with me!

As to why Scott decided to mess with the success of the 'G'? They probably know that those who like them already own them. This gives them something new to hawk.

[GonetoSeed]

Originally Posted by Jackster

The rod seemed rather un-remarkable in action

I too dropped by the local shop to see what the G2 is all about. As an example of rod choice being so personal, I found this "un-remarkable action" a plus. imo, its nice to see companies like Scott and Lamiglass (Appalachian Traveler Series) building rods that combine the neat things about the new high-modulus fibers and better resins for lighter blank weight, faster dampening/recovery speed (crispness) with a moderate to moderate/fast action (taper). For me this is the best of both worlds for the size of streams and the fly rigs (eg, drys with droppers) often fished around here. As the new "fast" materials came on the scene and manufacturing techniques improved, the manufacturers used them the get their inherenet properties into "fast" action rods. This made it possible to build (and market) light weight, powerful rods that are casting rockets. I understand their marketing motivations, but it's nice now to have some more taper options that focus on ease of loading, up-close accuracy, etc as a way to match up with more angler casting styles.

Hopefully Scott will add the G2 to their blank program. This would allow builders to fix one part of the looks issue. I was not overly impressed with standard grips & wraps. As far as the spiral look, imo, this "natural finish" is just a gimmick to cover up the fact that it costs less to manufacturer if you don't sand. No performance pick up at all. imo, it's all about taper.

btw, the G2 probably doesn't represent much of an upgrade (if at all for some anglers) from the G series. But for anyone who still fishes an old Orvis Superfine Far & Fine or Brookie, the G2 may just be what they are looking for. imo.