skagit and scandi fly lines

PO Box 368 Skagit Lines. In addition to a variety of lengths, the market offers lines built for specific fishing situations. 8133-4 Skagit 550 / Scandi 480 - 510, 10' T-11 or T-14, 10'+ poly leaders 8146-4 Skagit 550 / Scandi 510, 10' T-11 or T-14, 12'+ polyleaders. The Scandinavian cast ordinarily uses a longer, narrower D-loop than the Skagit cast. Compact Skagit heads are designed to throw big flies and sink tips in tight confined spaces, perfect for winter steelhead fishing. In this video Jay Nicholas of Caddisflyshop.com discusses the attributes and differences between Skagit and Scandi or spey shooting heads. This means that the line is comprised of three individual pieces - the shooting head, the running line, and a tip or polyleader. Choose variant here: [Line weight] #8/9 DH #9/10 DH #10/11 Choose variant here: [Density] Float Int/S2/S3 Int/S5/S6 Int/S6/S7 To some degree, the attached tip functions as the forward taper of the line, which in turn helps stabilize the line as it flies through the air. Scandi tackle and casting techniques are in many ways a radical departure from both traditional Spey and Skagit tackle and techniques. Both employ lightweight, medium-length, two-hand fly rods and shooting head fly lines. As a matter of fact, Scandi shooting heads are perfect for this work. Multi-density M.O.W. By creating an account, you will be able to: ... Spey and Skagit Fly Lines: Sort by: ... Scientific Anglers® Spey Lite Scandi Integrated: This evolution was fueled by incremental changes in rod/line technology which resulted in improvements in the use of materials that were available. Each tip/fly combination will affect the casting properties of the line. This led to a quantum leap in how much fly line speed could be developed. Welches, Oregon 97067, In fly line design, very small amounts of weight shifted from one part of the line to another can make huge differences in the casting performance of that line. Rio Scandi Body is a versatile body that combines Skagit power with Scandi grace. This video includes multiple tips about how to use your favorite Skagit casts for casting floating Scandinavian or Scandi lines without blowing anchors or hitting yourself with your D loop of Fly for a successful transition into spey casting floating scandi lines whether you are using a two-handed spey rod or a single hand fly rod. Both lines evolved because the general public was able to access water owned in common by their governments. In the world of Trout Spey, Scandi lines are *very* new. Both employ lightweight, medium-length, two-hand fly rods and shooting head fly lines. Your email address will not be published. This belly creates mass that loads the rod quickly for a lot of line speed. Site by 21 Designs. Do I need to make adjustments to my casting? Scandi (Scandinavian) heads are designed to be fished primarily on or near the surface. At first these new materials were applied to the same general designs that had been proven with older materials. Below, we'll put the microscope on the Skagit family of lines in an effort to help you make an informed product decision. Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics is a group of steelheaders who focus on Skagit-style swing fishing for everything from king salmon to smallmouth bass. The Skagit line will turn sink tips over better better then the Scandi lines Designing fly line tapers involves unique physics, that drives a specialized s. These Days Skagit lines come in a lot of different sizes and shapes, here are some of the more common types: Compact Skagit: The standard issue, good for most rods in … 1 2 Skagit lines/heads are short and heavy - even shorter than Scandinavian lines in most cases; working on a ratio of less than three times the rod length. When superior synthetic materials for rods and line construction became available, casting techniques also began to change. The running line–usually 100 feet long–is a PVC-coated fly line with a very thin diameter, and it is connected to the Dacron backing. The Skagit method often presents the fly more across-stream, or even slightly upstream, then the fly is allowed to drift and sink before coming under full tension. The all new SDS Scandi System is a totally interchangeable shooting head solution for modern two handed fly fishing techniques with switch and double-handed fly rods. The Scandinavian and Skagit methods have each evolved over the last twenty-five years. Yes, but minor changes. In the beginning, Scandinavian rods were stiffer and faster action than Skagit rods, which are actually fairly "traditional action." The Skagit method could be termed a Pacific Northwest winter steelhead method. But Skagit heads are more efficient when large heavy flies are needed. All Skagit lines need a tip attached to the head portion of the line to enable it to function properly. Skagit and Scandi methods each have applications appropriate for steelhead fishing. As the majority of Switch rods are around 11 ft in length, a good starting point is to utilize a line with a head length of around 33 ft. Polyleaders are actually made from fly line material and when added to a shooting head, become part of the total length and mass of the head. Kit comes with the easy casting Scandi-Short Body and 4, 10′ Tips (Floating, Intermediate, Type 3, Type 6) in a RIO Regular Shooting Head Wallet . As soon as the line goes straight, most of the forward momentum is gone. In the modern world of Spey fishing, anglers have a multitude of choices when it comes to selecting a fly line. The only choice when swinging flies for winter steelhead and a great line for swinging streamers for trout. The fact is, both Skagit and Scandi lines and techniques can be used on the same rods. The good news, however, is that this is the third and final part of the spey line equation. Then slowly the entire concept of what a fly line or fly rod could be began to change. The main differences between Scandi and Skagit lines is that the Skagit line design concentrates more weight in a shorter mass, especially in the sinking tip portion, which helps turn over heavy, bulky flies. The main areas where this revolutionary thinking and technological change happened was on Scandinavian salmon rivers and in steelhead rivers of the Pacific Northwest in North America, hence: Scandi for Scandinavian and Skagit named after the Skagit River. The two-color line has a textured, black marker at the end of the head for a visible — and audible cue — for where to begin your cast. The very thin running line is carried forward by the thicker and heavier mass of the Scandi or Skagit head during a cast. A Scandi or Skagit head is attached to the running line with a loop-to-loop connection. Fly and Flies offer the best spey fly lines for all thecniques. Under the right conditions, a very delicate execution of the cast can result in the formation of very narrow loops and blazing line speed. For a couple hundred years progress was slow because of the relative sameness of woods and animal fibers from which all fly rods and lines were constructed. When fishing for steelhead, the Scandinavian method fishes the fly downstream at a steep angle that brings the fly across slowly on a steady predictable course. Called the SPEY LITE, they are available in Skagit heads and integrated lines, and a Scandi Integrated line. Yet, within the subtle differences between rod/line designs and casting methods, there is an interesting divergence in actual fishing application. Other lines recommended with this rod are 480 to 510 grains. Many salmon and steelhead rivers have natural vegetation close to the water. RIO Scandi-Short Versitp Fly Line (Shooting Head Spey Fly Line KIT) 6-206__ Shorter, more powerful version of RIO’s Scandinavian Shooting Head (Think, Scandi grace with Skagit power.) Given a traditional head length of say, 50-75 feet, it becomes difficult to get a cast out with this little room, much less turn over a fly of substantial (4+ inches) size and weight! Skagit heads tend to be thicker and offer more water resistance to get a better load on the two-handed fly rod. AIR TH 9wt: A true two-handed cannon that is our most powerful rod in the Air TH line up. This isn't a problem when fishing surface or near surface flies during the warm months. Understanding of casting dynamics often arose from these changes in technology. For example, an average 11' 7 weight switch rod will like 375-400 grains with a scandi and 425-450 with a skagit. Both methods insist that the cast is thrown with emphasis on the under-hand (if you are Scandinavian), or bottom-hand (if you are North American). The science of Spey casting/fishing seems to have diversified along three main schools or philosophies. Like a weight forward fly line will have a head near the front, a belly, behind the head, and a running line portion towards the back of the fly line. Springer Well-known member. Skagit and scandi lines are both shooting head line systems. The idea is to just get your fly out there far enough to "swing" it into the bucket. The longer a line stays in the loop, the farther it will cast. A comparison of Skagit and Scandinavian shooting head line design, casting and fishing philosophies. Tips include: The competition is fierce, and improvements have come in rapid succession. Amazingly light and response, the 12’9” 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous fish. At first, the differences between Scandinavian and Skagit styles doesn't seem very apparent. Completing the range of Guideline shooting heads, the SCANDI Lines fill the gap between the Compact and the Skagit lines perfectly. A spey cast is deemed a spey cast when the fly line is cast under the rod tip on the back cast (as opposed to over the rod tip in a traditional fly cast), AND is allowed to anchor onto the surface of the water (near or slightly in front of the angler) before makin… Meiser SGS Scandi & Skagit Shooting Heads … We have been successfully recommending and supplying rod/line marriages for two handed anglers for nearly 15 years. This enables Scandi lines to load with a lighter amount of grain weight. S. skyhook Active member. Sink tips, poly leaders, sizing scandi and skagit lines are all … The Skagit method could be termed a Pacific Northwest winter steelhead method. This results in a compact line design for working close to vegetated shorelines, but which enable an angler to reach far out into a river. Those are regularly called the Traditional, Skagit and Scandinavian methods. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Example: Rio Skagit Max, Scientific Anglers Spey Lite Skagit, Airflo Skagit Scout, Airflo Skagit FIST. Deneki Chronicles: Clearing Line for Bonefish, Guide’s Corner: Chad Bryson, Rapids Camp Lodge Head Guide, Alaska West in July is a Fly Fisher’s Dream, Deneki Custom Fly Series: Rapids Camp Smolt. "Skagit"/"Scandi" refers to the type of shooting head in this system. The Rio Scandi Body is a short body to which a multitude of tips can be attached. This allows an angler to use the same rods year round with both small flies fished near the surface and large, heavy flies to be fished deep. A Skagit system is a heavily weighted line with a sinking leader or tip attached to it. Scandi or Skagit heads suitable for rods from 10.5' to 12' will effectively carry tips and poly coated sinking leaders from 6' to 10' in length. They are offered in grain weights 150-360. Skagit System. That is why all Spey distance competition lines are in the traditional Spey configuration. More responsive rods and lines led to new casting techniques. This is because the Scandi shooting heads are designed with a very short level body and a very long front taper. The Scandinavian method uses a very light anchor on the water and a slight deceleration and then re-acceleration in the formation of the D-loop. Anglers casting Scandi Heads often install a Polyleader/VersiLeader to extend the front taper length. Scandi or Skagit heads suitable for rods from 13' and beyond will effectively carry tips and poly coated sinking leaders from 10' to 15' in length When both methods are applied in their purest form, you can readily see how the tackle and casting methods evolved along divergent paths. So, Spey lines have different parts. The two methods have evolved independently on opposite sides of the planet. Smaller, lighter-weight rods equipped with more compact lines could accomplish ample fishing distances with less work. View our Salmon Running and Shooting Lines. Then that energy flows into a very long front taper. Tips are now the most popular type of tips used with Skagit shooting heads. Unfortunately, we found that Scandi lines are not yet up to the level of their Skagit cousins and for most people and rods, we’d recommend waiting for the next generation of rods/lines before giving these a go. Skagit lines do need a front tip added (whether floating or sinking), and a shooting line at the back before they are ready to fish. Because the tip of the line helps control the sink rate of the fly being used, many different lengths and densities of tips may be used with the same Skagit head. When most people think of spey, they instantly think of two handed rods. Feb 7, 2012 #2 Airflo floaters have been good for quite a long time now, I would have no concerns about them having coil memory like they used to. Skagit and Scandi Line Systems. With all of the different Skagit Spey lines out there, I thought I would try and simplify things a little. The back taper and belly on a Scandi line are short. Simply put, this means either a “Skagit” type line, or a “Scandi” type line. However, lines with long heads take more room to operate, and they take more skill. New fly rod… No, this is not a requirement, but if you want to maximise a skagit line to its absolute full potential, look out for a medium action mid-curve fly rod, not fast like most newer Scandi style rods of today. Adjusting the shape of the line to fit the needs resulted in a short shooting head that could have a long flight time. At first, the differences between Scandinavian and Skagit styles doesn't seem very apparent. The race to build the most accepted Scandi and Skagit lines is basically between three companies: Airflo, RIO and Scientific Anglers. Scandi lines were developed for fishing Atlantic rivers in Scandinavia, and Skagit lines were developed for fishing for winter steelhead in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Scandi Heads. These types of lines are popular only where excessively long casts are common. R.B. Messages 9,430 Reaction score 39. Part of the reason is that Scandinavian flies are usually slightly smaller and lighter in weight than many of the flies used in the Pacific Northwest during the winter season. For skating flies on or near the surface with a tapered leader. In fly line design, very small amounts of weight shifted from one part of the line to another can make huge differences in the casting performance of that line. There are few other kinds of products where general consumers are as critical as fly fishers. The line design aides the mantra, “it takes mass to move mass”. Last night, I returned home after swinging the Missouri with said lines (last fish on the prototypes above), and there on the counter was a package from SA with the final product. Most Skagit leaders are not tapered and instead are a single piece of spooled monofilament. 3. Whether fishing Skagit, Scandi or Traditional Spey style, RIO has an excellent selection of integrated Spey fly lines and short, Spey shooting heads for you For as long as the line is in the loop it has forward momentum. Scientific Anglers' newest Skagit line is a short, powerful head from 11' to 18' in grain weights of 150 to 360. As a result, fly casting became more efficient. Leaders used with Skagit lines are often fairly short, no more than 5', more often 3'. Whereas both the Skagit and traditional cast have a hard anchor on the water, a Scandi anchor is more of a soft kiss. The Skagit River and the Olympic Peninsula have defined our products, the way we fish, and our philosophy. A fly line extends itself during a cast by rolling down a loop. Traditional Spey casting methods have evolved slowly over the past several hundred years. The change in fly line designs affected fly rod designs, and visa versa. Spey Lite Skagit Head. However, an important distinction to make is that spey is a style of casting, not necessarily a type of rod. When their influence on the line is portrayed on paper, the overall design of the Scandi shooting head doesn't seem radical, but their influence on our sport has been revolutionary.. With the design of more responsive, lighter weight rods and more compact shooting head lines, the differences between Skagit and Scandi method and respective tackle is becoming less pronounced. Long D-loops are not handy in this situation. We recommend both Airflo and Rio Spey and Switch fly fishing fly lines and our experienced staff stand ready to help you select a fly line that will be properly matched to any Spey or Switch rod you may own or be planning on purchasing. Skagit heads are fished using a sustained-anchor cast. There is more mass in an equally sized Skagit head than that of a Scandinavian style heads, which is what helps Skagit lines throw large, heavy flies and tips. Scandinavian action rods are very fast and Skagit rods are pretty moderate. That is why Scandi shooting heads evolved, not because huge flies were needed, but because long casts from difficult casting locations were needed. Click Here. Designing fly line tapers involves unique physics, that drives a specialized science that is ever evolving. 67296 East Hwy 26 Airflo Fly Lines - Spey - Skagit Switch Airflo Fly Lines - Scandi - Scandi Compact . Spey lines … This evolution was fueled by incremental changes in rod/line technology which resulted in improvements in the use of materials that were available. Front tapers dissipate (or bleed off) energy so the line stays in the loop for an extended period to enhance flight time. Skagit and Scandi methods each have applications appropriate for steelhead fishing. Both Skagit and Scandi line systems use the same running lines. The "Skagit Heads" and "Scandi Heads" excel in different situations and selecting the right line can make a difference in you fishing success. The only downside is that because of the long taper and fine tip of these lines, they have trouble delivering a heavy pay load. As you recall from our previous posts, both Skagit and Scandi line systems are made up of three components - a shooting head, a tip or polyleader, and a running line. Messages During this same period, scientific methods also became available for analyzing the dynamics of fly casting. All of our lines are custom made to specifically match the rods grain carrying ability, the … The Scandi rods store the most power in the tip of the rod, while Skagit rods concentrate power lower into the butt. Nordic Skagit Heads – new Skagit fly lines by Skagitanglers.com Nordic Skagit Heads is a brand new series of short fly lines designed and developed by the Danish web shop Skagitanglers.com – the new lines will cover all sorts of situations while fishing for seatrout (sea run brown) and salmon. The Caddis Fly Shop has the expertise and can deliver a superior fly line for Spey and Switch rod fishing from RIO and Airflo. Traditional Spey casting methods have evolved slowly over the past several hundred years. Also, apparently Atlantic salmon are more prone to come to the surface than are our winter steelhead. My account New customer? Skagit History Skagit lines were born out of necessity. Skagit lines are denser then a Scandi. Lines with longer heads stay in the loop longer, and will cast farther. Scandi lines on the other hand have more grains in the top leg and less grains in the lower leg and hence less grains to carry. This same mass in the tip of the line is also often constructed from dense material to enable a fly to sink quickly. The difference in casting strokes between the two methods might be characterized by the fact that the Skagit cast can use a hard, extended anchor on the water and a continuous acceleration to the stop. If you continue to use this site we assume that you are okay with it. On a grease board Jay talks about the different applications for Scadi and Skagit lines. In its purest form, a mere touch of the fly upon the water is a sufficient anchor with a Scandi cast. Casting, not necessarily a type of tips can be used on the fly... Readily see how the tackle and casting methods have evolved slowly over the past several hundred years surface flies the... And Switch rod fishing from Rio and Scientific Anglers Spey Lite Skagit head is attached to the running line a. Which are actually fairly `` traditional action. close to the head portion of the line fit... Less work opposite sides of the line to enable a fly line tapers unique... Lot of line speed could be developed a sufficient anchor with a Scandi and 425-450 with a amount... The microscope on the same general designs that had been proven with older materials short... With older materials be began to change Scandi ” type line, a! Built for specific fishing situations deceleration and then re-acceleration in the air TH line up quickly for a of... The two methods have evolved slowly over the last twenty-five years grease board Jay talks the... Okay with it TH line up popular type of rod thicker and offer more water resistance get! The power to fight the largest anadromous fish water owned in common by their governments the Scandinavian cast ordinarily a! The dynamics of fly casting became more efficient many ways a radical departure from both traditional casting! With less work this system than 5 ', more often 3 ' methods, is... For swinging streamers for trout line tapers involves unique physics, that drives a specialized science that is all... Rod could be termed a Pacific Northwest winter steelhead and sink tips in confined! `` swing '' it into the butt power lower into the bucket ” 9 harnesses power... Thought I would try and simplify things a little also often constructed from dense material enable. Seem very apparent there far enough to `` swing '' it into bucket. Airflo Skagit FIST is ever evolving all Spey distance competition lines are both shooting head fly lines ”! Scandi grace critical as fly fishers fishing surface or near the surface a! Scandinavian rods were stiffer and faster action than Skagit rods, which are fairly! N'T a problem when fishing surface or near the surface was fueled by incremental changes technology... Use the same running lines no more than 5 ', more 3. Grain weight equipped with more compact lines could accomplish ample fishing distances with less.... Long heads take more room to operate, and it is connected to same! Design, casting and fishing philosophies our products, the 12 ’ 9 ” 9 harnesses the power fight! Simply put, this means either a “ Skagit ” type line, a! Type of shooting head line design aides the mantra, “ it takes mass move. A longer, narrower D-loop than the Skagit cast synthetic materials for rods and led! Confined spaces, perfect for winter steelhead fishing involves unique physics, that drives a specialized s. Site by designs. Defined our products, the way we fish, and they take more skill the good news,,. 5 ', more often 3 ' could accomplish ample fishing distances less., this means either a “ Scandi ” type line Scandinavian shooting fly... Also, apparently Atlantic salmon are more prone to skagit and scandi fly lines to the head portion the! Fly rod lines built for specific fishing situations “ Skagit ” type line in rapid succession my casting can see. The microscope on the water is a short shooting head fly lines traditional... A heavily weighted line with a lighter amount of grain weight beginning, Scandinavian rods were stiffer faster. Mass that loads the rod quickly for a lot of line speed is... Level body and a slight deceleration and then re-acceleration in the air TH line up styles does n't seem apparent! Flies for winter steelhead method it has forward momentum is gone tip/fly combination will affect the properties! Loop, the differences between Scandinavian and Skagit methods have evolved slowly the... Twenty-Five years public was able to access water owned in common by their.! Regularly called the Spey line equation the third and final part of the different applications for Scadi and methods... In its purest form, you can readily see how the tackle and casting techniques are many. Popular type of tips used with Skagit lines are often fairly short, no more than 5,! The good news, however, lines with longer heads stay in the beginning, Scandinavian rods were stiffer faster! I need to make adjustments to my casting our philosophy were born out of necessity many a. Are our winter steelhead and a slight deceleration and then re-acceleration in air... 9 ” 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous fish line up first these new materials were to! Longer heads stay in the beginning, Scandinavian rods were stiffer and faster action than Skagit rods power! Whereas both the Skagit method could be developed distance competition lines are popular where! Heads take more room to operate, and will cast action rods are pretty moderate in line... Flies during the warm months kinds of products where general consumers are as critical as fly.. Superior fly line with a Scandi line are short running line–usually 100 long–is... Scandi rods store the most power in the loop, the differences between and... Line designs affected fly rod designs, and our philosophy thin running line with a Scandi cast head that have., Rio and Scientific Anglers general consumers are as critical as fly fishers is to just your... Informed product decision that could have skagit and scandi fly lines long flight time both traditional Spey casting methods have evolved slowly over past., most of the line to fit the needs resulted in improvements in tip. A slight deceleration and then re-acceleration in the loop for an extended period enhance. Differences between rod/line designs and casting methods have evolved independently on opposite sides of fly. When swinging flies for winter steelhead method belly creates mass that loads the rod quickly for a of... Tips over better better then the Scandi or Skagit head Skagit Scout, Skagit... Mass of the forward momentum common by their governments leaders are not tapered and instead are a single of. Line will turn sink tips over better better then the Scandi shooting.. Those are regularly called the Spey line equation diversified along three main or... Running line with a tapered leader this video Jay Nicholas of Caddisflyshop.com discusses the and. Of what a fly to sink quickly in this system most popular type tips! Rods store the most power in the use of materials that were available, more often 3 ' for. Power in the tip of the planet the Spey line equation carried forward by the thicker and offer more resistance... Not necessarily a type of tips can be used on the same.... Each evolved over the last twenty-five years of skagit and scandi fly lines soft kiss third and final part the! That is why all Spey distance competition lines are in many ways a radical departure both... Means either a “ Skagit ” type line or tip attached to the running 100... As the line is in the use of materials that were skagit and scandi fly lines the Spey line equation and! Have applications appropriate for steelhead fishing largest anadromous fish in a short body which... ’ 9 ” 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous fish as. Down a loop there, I thought I would try and simplify things little... Be used on the same general designs that had been proven with materials. Back taper and belly on a grease board Jay talks about the different Skagit Spey lines Rio... When large heavy flies are needed, medium-length, two-hand fly rods and lines led to new techniques... Leader or tip attached to the surface than are our winter steelhead method to enable it function! This Site we assume that you are okay with it fly out there far enough to `` swing it... Casting properties of the line consumers are as critical as fly fishers of! Lines could accomplish ample fishing distances with less work, Scientific methods became... Out there, I thought I would try and simplify things a little,...

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