Scott F 703-4 (50th anniversary)

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   I anticipated this model most of all because it’s the only rod in the 50th Anniversary ring of honor that I had never seen or cast. Designed in the mid 1970’s, I expected a heavy, clunky, unrefined instrument. I was blown away. Thanks to the use of internal ferrules and a superlative blank taper, the F 703-4 feels like it was created yesterday. I was most impressed with the lightness and overall feel of the rod, but as I cast it time and again, what became obvious is that Harry Wilson must have prototyped this rod countless times before its release. With this rod, Harry Wilson established the bar for refinement in blank taper, not only in creek rods, but for all trout rods and multi-piece rods in general.

   I cast it with an SA Trout Standard WF3F line, which became my favorite, as well as a regular SA Trout and Rio Technical Trout. The Trout Standard and Trout Tapers are weighted ideally for the rod. What is so unique and special about the F 703-4 is that the casting loop (with an SA Trout Standard) seems totally optimized for the rod’s purpose. Neither too open nor too tight, the loop forms at 15 feet and turns over a 9’ leader automatically by simply rocking the rod back and forth. Line speed is adequate for casting accuracy, but sufficiently patient to allow manipulation by the caster. Putting no physical effort into the cast, my fly turns over gracefully and gravity drapes my line and leader on the water with a hush.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   I own and fish a number of Scott Fibertouch rods that have been built in the last 25 years. They range from the unsanded 703/3 from the 90’s, 30th anniversary Japan Special (6’9′ 3 wt), to the modern day F2 583/4. I love them all for different reasons but what has always appealed to me is the super soft feel and the ability of all models to turn over a dry fly in tight quarters with pinpoint accuracy. I really expected this classic 70’s version to be a bit of a noodle, heavy and unrefined. That is not the case. The modern iteration of this 50 year old taper may be the most stable, intuitive and smooth caster of them all. We experimented with a number of lines, but hands down I preferred the SA WF3 Trout Standard on this fine fly rod.

   Troy Youngfleish (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   When we were driving down to Montrose to cast the 50th Anniversary rods at Scott I had it in my head that the old school glass rod was going to be something of a novelty. Super cool, unique, wholly different, but I did not expect the rod to cast very well. I was ready for a tip falling to the ground while the cork is at your waist and a blank with a laboriously slow action. My conjured thoughts could not have been more misplaced. The Scott 50th Anniversary 703/4 is a remarkable fly rod that will surprise you, much lighter than you anticipate and quicker. Bartschi was right there and he could see the surprise on my face and knew what I was thinking. Jim told me they were chasing the same thing in the 70s that we are today, to make a rod faster, lighter and higher performing. Back then they only had one material and that was fiberglass. Turns out that a high-performance Fiberglass rod from way back when is very cool and very fun today. This 3-weight is smooth with more punch and substance than you anticipate with a pleasantly proper turnover that seems to be bred into the blank. I liked the Rio Technical Trout WF3F on this rod more than the lighter and thinner SA Trout and SA Trout Standard. It gave me the impression that a Rio or SA Creek line (shorter headed specialized creek lines) would be excellent as well.

   The F 703/4 drips with nostalgia and as cool as the other side of the pillow. You would be justified buying the rod on looks alone; give it a cast and there won’t be much debate on whether it deserves a spot in your lineup, totally unique from the current F Series offerings from Scott in action and appearance. It has a lustrous yellow blank with caramel-colored primary wraps and subtle black trim wraps. The reel seat is a cork and slide band style with a gold butt cap and matching gold knurled slide band. This is a rod that will stand out amongst your lineup and will call to you with a siren’s song that lures you to your favorite creek against the wishes of your obligations. Truly a gem of a small stream rod.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)