Scott GT Series 985-4

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   This rod recalls the motherly wisdom “Don’t knock it until you try it.” While I generally prefer trout rods that are 9’ or shorter, I liked this rod while lawn casting and decided to take it for a spin on my favorite techy alpine lake. Casting a single dry fly, it is rangy and effortless from 20’ to about 55’. The less I forced the rod, the more work it did for me. I got none of the heavy tip flop I expected from a 9’8” medium action rod. The lower two sections are stiff enough to support the length. Casting it gives the sensation of pushing from the bottom of the rod rather than pulling from the top. The feeling is almost like operating a hydraulic device, or like squeezing toothpaste from the bottom of the tube. It feels terrific and casts with superb range, turning over the fly decisively to make a convincing delivery on every cast. On the alpine lake, I found it incredibly effective for making long roll casts perpendicular to the heather-choked shoreline, easily turning over the fly at 40 feet or more. I came away thinking this might be my favorite stillwater fly rod, or at minimum, this is a great rod on the lake. A fast action rod like the Scott Centric 955-4 will raise the line higher on the backcast, but the overall length of this rod is adequate for holding the line pretty high, at least with a single dry fly, as long as the angler begins the cast with a low rod tip. It’s great on the hook set, too, sweeping up a long line to bury the fly in a deep, confident arc.

   The GT 985-4 presents a major opportunity for the nymphing angler. It swings lighter than any 10-foot rod I have ever tried, yet does more work on the water. It is completely optimized for roll casting, line mending and playing heavy fish on light leaders. Any concern about extra weight and clumsiness when fishing a plus-9-foot trout rod is completely usurped by the empowerment of watching this rod perform its magic. I’ve never worked so little and received so much in return. This rod instills the trout angler with much the same tactical advantage as a two-handed rod for the steelheader. It’s just a better tool for nymphing. Period. Fish it with a Rio Gold, SA Infinity, or any long-bellied lake line, floating or sinking.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is a really cool, funky, and fun fly rod. It is unlike most longer 5wt rods in the sense that it isn’t a dedicated heavy metal nymphing rod. This rod throws spectacular loops and would make for a really fun dry fly rod. With the ability to nymph bigger rivers and hunt heads when the bugs start coming off on your favorite lake, the 985/4 GT is a high performance tool with a tremendous amount of soul. Given the overall flex profile of this rod it would make for a wonderful single hand spey rod as well. As you might imagine, it flexes deep, mends like a champ, and has that classic Scott touch and feel. If you find yourself in the market for a longer 5wt rod but don’t necessarily need an overly stiff rocket launcher, the 985/4 GT Series rod is a pretty awesome rod that will make you smile every time you pick it up. I’ve cast several lines on this rod and have come to the conclusion that the Rio Elite Gold WF5F and SA Amplitude Trout GP WF5F are my favorites.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   Got mice? This rod has power to burn and can carry a really nice loop at distance. While at home for both nymphing and stillwater applications, I see this rod as the ultimate mousing stick, strong enough to turn a rodent over smoothly while its length provides a great swimming angle. Rio Gold for the win.

   Troy Youngfleish (Telluride Angler)

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   While every model in Scott’s new GT Series has its own identity, the longer rods take that innovation a step further. Traditionally, trout rods over 9’6” are designed with nymphing in mind—power and reach prioritized over touch and presentation. The Scott GT 985/4 upends that convention. It’s a long rod built for delicacy and control, not brute force—a true presentation rod that just happens to be 9 feet 8 inches long.

   Compared to its sibling, the GT 8105/4, the 985/4 features a more even, moderate action, yet it’s unmistakably a longer-casting rod. It holds line in the air with astonishing stability, as if the loop could simply hang there in suspended animation. Drop the rod mid-cast, and you might imagine walking over and touching the line as it hovers behind you—it’s that steady.

   I found that lighter, longer-tapered lines brought out the best in this rod. The Rio Technical Trout was the standout, offering exceptional range while matching the rod’s taper beautifully for short and mid-distance presentations. The Rio Gold also performed admirably, though the Gold XP added an unnecessary sense of weight in the upper third—better suited to heavier flies or small indicator rigs. Paired with a girdle bug or a multi-fly nymph setup, that extra substance becomes an advantage.

   Where this rod truly shines is in unconventional scenarios: situations demanding maximum drift length, finesse control with 6X tippet, or precision at extreme range. Picture technical stillwaters, delicate seated casts to distant risers from a drift boat, or working tiny #22s across a mid-river seam on the San Juan above the Texas Hole. The GT 985/4 isn’t just another specialty tool—it’s a rod that solves problems and opens new possibilities on the water.
   Dressed in the same elegant finish as the rest of the GT lineup, the 985/4 also sports the most charming detail of all: the smallest, most purposeful fighting butt ever fitted to a 5-weight.

   The Scott GT 985/4 is a truly unique rod—designed for anglers who push boundaries and seek precision where others settle for reach. It’s a long, graceful instrument built not just to cast farther, but to fish better.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   This rod is an absolute blast to cast with the Rio Gold. It’s as smooth as it is lively. I usually only reach for a longer rod for bigger rivers and bigger rigs, looking for power over feel, and this rod doesn’t have the same power or backbone as my go-to Centric 955. That said, it’s an excellent roll caster and an even better mender. Overall, it’s a fun, versatile stick that could make for an outstanding mid-to-light nymph rod, especially in more technical water. I could see this being a super fun rod for the San Juan, especially when wading. It has that extra length for high sticking and its soft tip will provide excellent tippet protection. I found that the Rio Technical Trout is a game changer on this rod. It really livens it up and makes if feel light and quick, by far the best line pairing for this rod.

   Curtis Nelson (Telluride Angler)