On The Fly Gear
November 2020
Scott High Performance Fly Rods recently debuted their new Sector Series rods and On The Fly South got the opportunity to put one of them to the test.
The rods are billed as advancing the company’s award-winning ReAct technology to the next level with both new tapers and Carbon Web construction. These hand-crafted rods also introduce the most cutting-edge components ever created.
The new Carbon Web improves torsional stability and durability of the rods by encasing unidirectional fibers in a web of ultra-light, multi-directional carbon fiber. All of which is to say that you can expect better tracking and power for picking up long lines and shooting them back out with quick directional changes.
To put those functions to the test, we took the S848-4, four-piece model on the road. This 8-foot, 4-inch, 8-weight is designed for saltwater action, but we also put it through the ringer in some varied – and harsh – conditions in both salt and freshwater.
First, we cast some heavily weighted-streamers in the rain and wind on Missouri’s Lake Pomme de Terre, getting the flies down deep over brush piles for crappie. That was followed by some post Hurricane Eta fishing on Pine Island Sound in southwest Florida for redfish and snook. This time we were casting Clouser Minnows and gurgler-style flies in the still windy weather. Finally, we put the Sector, tipped with popping bugs and Wooly Buggers, up against largemouth and Suwannee bass on the Sunshine State’s Santa Fe River.
In these blustery situations, the ability to pick up line and change directions were, indeed, put to the test, but in each case the Sector was up to the task, The only limiting factor in putting the fly on target turned out to be our casting ability!
The Sector rods incorporate components that can reliably stand up to harsh saltwater environments, which enhance your angling experience. Those components are all new CeRecoil stripping guides made with nickel titanium frames that boast super slick Zirconia inserts. Those are matched with similar Recoil nickel titanium, super slick snake guides for low friction and corrosion-free casting. When stealth is needed on bright days, the rod’s guide sets have a low reflective PVD coating.
Additionally, the Sectors feature reel seats of milled aircraft grade aluminum, featuring self-indexing slide hoods with extra deep knurling for ease turning of lock rings even when your hands are wet. They also have type 3 mil-spec hard coating in non-reflective flat black finish and line weight engraving for quick rod identification.
Rounding out the handle area is Flor grade cork grips turned to a modified well shape and a new fighting butt designed of soft rubber for greater comfort for long casts and fish fighting.
Scott says there is no need to dream about your perfect fly rod – it’s here, in the new Sector Series. Our experience with the rod backed up that statement.
