The Scott A4 Fly Rod
Medium Fast Freshwater Rod for Your Urban Fly Fishing Pursuits
With 2016 and Christmas closing in and urban anglers out there wanting to add fishing gear to their wish list we thought we would do a quick review of the Scott Fly Rods A4 7 weight rod we field tested this past summer season.
The Lowdown: The A4 series for the Scott Fly Rod Company are built right here in Colorado. This rod was designed to be entry level and for all angler types, both novice and veterans. This is one of Scott’s entry-level fly rods, but it is supposed to have the performance of a much higher end rod. The cost is $395. Don’t let the price scare you because you will most likely not outgrow this rod and if you read any articles pertaining to the A4, it is a favorite among guides for its versatility. The rod is a medium-fast action setup that has the power to launch big streamers when going after bass around the city (or big browns in the mountains). It is a lightweight rod (4 piece) and built with high quality components.
Features include:
• Freshwater
• Fine-tuned flex and recovery
• Multi modulus fiber lay ups in blank design
• Loads and unloads smoothly
• Natural Finish
• Fighting Butt Grip Style (To help land those big carp!)
An Urban Workhorse: We tested this rod on urban ponds, lakes, and rivers in several areas and found it to be quite the workhorse. There are probably more customized rods out there for pursuing warm water species, specifically bass, but in terms of being a highly versatile rod, the A4 7 wt. fit the bill. It lost a little bit of its touch necessary for loading up a proper cast with the larger articulated streamers ,but for the most part it threw flies effectively in most conditions for bass or carp. We were able to land carp, trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass last season on the A4 with ease. We had hoped to try it out against northern pike and peacock bass in Florida but didn’t have any luck with hookups. Stay tuned for an update!
Conclusion: If you are looking for a high quality rod without a massive price tag the Scott A4 is a great choice and investment. Most of Scott’s fly rods are quite pricey and with how tough urban fishing can be on gear we wouldn’t recommend choosing anything too fancy. This makes the A4 the perfect blend of toughness, quality, and versatility for the price. Plus, Scott offers a great warranty on their rods. If you have the chance to try one of these rods out let us know what you think and hashtag #urbananglersusa with your pictures out on the water! Both Trouts Flyfishing and Angler’s All Fly Shops carry the Scott A4 in Denver and have great staff that will help you pair it with a nice reel and line setup. Stay tuned for more gear reviews from Urban Anglers USA.
