Scott Radian 905-4 (50th anniversary)

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Once again, I’m lucky to own one of these rods, although in my hands the 50th anniversary edition is even lighter than the original, thanks to Snake Brand snake guides and titanium strippers. This rod achieves its legendary power without ever feeling stiff, a marvel of design rivaled only by the G.Loomis Asquith 9’ 5-weight, and yet the Radian may surpass the Asquith in stability and overall command. Regardless of my line choice, I never need to overpower the Radian 905-4. Even at short distance, there is no reason to pop the tip or otherwise force a deeper load. “Perfection of taper” once again comes to mind. With an SA Infinity WF5, the Radian’s casting prowess is matched by the fishability of a line that can mend across the river and turns over large flies. We cast the new Rio Gold XP WF5 as well and found that it floats a longer dry fly leader more naturally in the 40’ range, the rod a dream to cast with either line.

   Then, I did what I have done 100 times before: string up the Radian 905-4 with a Rio Gold, a combination that produces that highest line speed and sensational feel of any fly rod and line combination. Ever.

   In the ultra-fast category, the Radian 905-4 may never be equaled.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   It comes as no surprise that Scott chose this specific model to represent the best of the 2010’s. This may be the single most popular fly rod that Scott has ever designed and for good reason. This is a true fast action fly rod that has only gotten better with the new components and updated resin. This fly rod is as comfortable throwing a streamer as it is with a hopper, hopper dropper or a nymph rig. We always get asked about the do-it-all rod (Holy Grail), this is as close as it gets. The modern Radian, much like its predecessor, loves a WF5 Rio Gold but I believe, when matched with WF5 SA Infinity, it may perform even better.

   Troy Youngfleish (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   The Radian was a big deal when it came out and it is still a rod that we talk about often and routinely fish. Sweet feeling, powerful, beautiful, it was just a fine piece of western fly tackle, and we were beyond excited to get the chance to have these rods in the shop again. We were not disappointed when we laid our hands on the 50th Anniversary model. Orange wraps and the wood spacer of the original, the reel seat housing is the modern matte black and the guide set gets a slight update, but other than the laser etched 50th Anniversary logo and special insignia the 50th Radian 905 is the same as it ever was. There are some new lines available now and we particularly liked the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity taper WF5F on the Radian 905. We like to nit pick, and what I thought the difference was between the Centric 905 and the Radian 905 with the Amplitude Infinity Smooth was you got a hair more load recognition and a shade more bend lower on the Radian. The Centric has a little more stiffness along the blank. I really liked that little bit of extra load and rebound in the Radian, makes it a bit more lively and playful in my hands. The Radian 905 is a show stopper like it always was and has been. Tight laser loops, tons of control to manipulate line in the air, bump up the line speed or dress it down, the rod does it all and feels like the best thing since sliced bread while doing it. This is an all-time 9 foot 5 weight, well deserving of a place in the lineup of any trout angler the world over.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)