Reviews : Lines
Scientific Anglers Mastery Trout Line
By Steven Dally
Nov 13, 2003, 12:54

You might have thought the specialty fly line market had reach saturation point with various designs for species from bonefish to bass and a whole fistful of lines for trout. But this season you will find two new specialized trout lines from both Scientific Anglers and Rio. Both are a shift away from the overweight distance casting weapons like the GPX or XXD lines from SA or RIO’s Grand line, instead focusing on control and finesse. The Rio Selective Trout line was still some weeks away from release when I went line hunting to replace my ageing GPX, but I’d heard good things anyway about the SA Trout line. The GPX had served me well, but to be honest I wanted something a bit more delicate and the Trout line proved a revelation. Firstly, I selected the Dark Willow color, which looks stealthier than the alternative Fire Orange. The Trout Taper also features SA’s patented AST manufacturing which means it slips through the guides like a hooked bonefish across a sandflat. The line’s front taper has a concave compound for a balance of delicacy and the ability to turn over flies in a head wind. The head matches to most trout fishing casts, and the convex rear taper is designed to aid mending. The line is also designed to be a true weight, in my case a 5weight. What it all means on the rod is another question, certainly it quickened both my 5wt and 6wt rods, which had been carrying the GPX, on initial grass tests. But after a couple of months on the rod, I can probably say its hard to do better for an all-round trout line. I’ve cast dry flies from size 6 to 24, nymphed with big indicators and 3/0 split shot, and it seems to handle them all with a minimum of fuss and bother. Other lines might do better with the extremes I’ve been casting, including size 4 clousers, but essentially this line has done it all, and probably made me look better than I am. And I didn’t have to worry about messing around respooling lines. Yes, you could probably do all of this with others in the SA range. But I have also been amazed at how delicately this 5wt line can land, when you pay a little attention, which makes it a great performer for those ultra still days on river or lake. Price US $57.95

Score: 10/10

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