Scott GT Series 844-5

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Designing a supple-casting 8’4” 4-weight that comes in 5 pieces defies physics. Not only must the sections sync perfectly with each other, but they must do so without imparting excessive swing weight from 4 ferrule joints. No previous 5-piece 4-weight has ever accomplished this goal (from any rod maker). This is a dream rod for all small and medium sized trout water. It flexes deeply enough at 15’ to generate excellent line speed and a tight loop, rather than merely “flipping” the fly like other “stubby” feeling short 4-weights. On mid-length casts, the action is springy, stable, lively and effortless. Even at distance, it is completely confident and efficient with a hopper-dropper or light nymph rig. Like every rod in this series, the GT 844-5 excels in the finer presentation arts, including roll casting, reach casts and line mending. It is superior to its predecessor, the GS 844-4, in all of these techniques, more elegant in the tip and more elastic in the mid section. This is a marvelous all purpose 4-weight and, thanks to its 5-section design, automatic for backcountry fishing and travel. It casts an SA Trout Expert WF4, SA Trout GP and Rio Gold with equal ease, although my favorite line on pure casting merits and dry fly fishing is the SA Trout Expert.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   Of the three 4wt rods in the GT Series, the 844/5 is the shortest and stiffest in the bunch. It will fish smaller water the best and is a really enjoyable rod to fish at all distances. Just like all the rods in the GT family, the 844/5 is wonderfully light in hand and is very accurate. If you are like me and frequently hike and bike long distances to your favorite high mountain lake or backcountry stream, this 5-piece 4wt should 100% be on your radar. It is a very smooth caster and loads almost immediately in close. Being a bit shorter, it will handle a little bit of wind better than a longer 4wt and fishes tight quarters very well. This is a rod that I can see myself constantly reaching for when fishing hoppers on smaller water. More so than most rods in the GT lineup, the 844/5 will also handle a traditional dry dropper rig as well as a small water nymph set-up. I’ve played around with a few different lines on this rod and find the Rio Elite Technical Trout to suit my needs best.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   The GT 844-5 has a lot of similarities to its 3-wt younger brother but feels a touch less refined when it comes to loop control. This is a perfect dry dropper/ medium sized hopper stick that can handle a bit of punch in the casting stroke. This modern version is a substantial improvement when compared to its predecessor (original G) and will be the ideal tool on mid-sized western freestones. My preferred line was the SA Trout Expert.

   Troy Youngfleish (Telluride Angler)

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   My vote for the most improved model between the G Series and the GT Series goes to the Scott GT 844/5. This rod is a delightful surprise—and a textbook example of what a small-water 4-weight should be.

   The five-piece configuration lends a touch of old-school charm, but the action is entirely modern—smooth, refined, and composed. Few rods convey such a sense of effortless balance. Even without a reel attached, the 844/5 feels “right” in hand, exuding harmony from tip to butt.
   Both the Rio Technical Trout and the Scientific Anglers Trout Expert pair beautifully with this rod. For fishing a small dropper off a dry fly, I’d lean toward the Technical Trout for its slightly more supportive turnover.

   The GT 844/5’s versatility and travel-friendly five-piece design give it a “why wouldn’t you bring it?” appeal. It’s a four-weight with year-round usefulness across much of trout country—a rod capable of filling many roles. It has the substance to handle dry–dropper rigs with confidence, yet it remains inherently magnificent when fished with a single dry. In hand, it feels more like a superbly tuned three-weight than a traditional four, light and lively yet never fragile.

   From small creeks to medium freestones, from delicate tailwater presentations to alpine lakes at dusk, the GT 844/5 delivers. Tie on a long leader and a tiny dry for wary fish, or pack it along on your mountain bike to chase evening risers under alpenglow—it’s a rod built to be part of your adventures.

   The Scott GT 844/5 is the kind of rod anglers will talk about for years—and one many trout will come to know well.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is just a super smooth caster, plain and simple. It feels incredibly light in hand for a 5-piece rod, and throws a really clean, tight loop. It’s got considerable power at distance, but still delivers flies with a soft touch. This one feels like a high alpine specialist. Its light enough to carry anywhere, and would absolutely excel on those lakes that require long technical casts to spooky trout. All in all, it’s a fun, capable little rod that does everything you’d want up high. I really liked the Rio Technical Trout on this rod.

   Curtis Nelson (Telluride Angler)