New Fly Lines from Scientific Anglers - March 2020

We have brought in some new lines from Scientific Anglers.  While some of these may only be new to us, these lines are high quality additi...

We have brought in some new lines from Scientific Anglers.  While some of these may only be new to us, these lines are high quality additions to our lineup that will give anglers more options before they hit the water for their next adventure.

Amplitude Freshwater

The Amplitude series features "Shooting Texture" on the bulk of the line.  This texture reduces the amount of line touching the guides when you cast, thus reducing friction and creating longer, more powerful casts with less energy.  It also features "Floating Texture" on the tip section, which increases the flotation, making it easier to fish that dry fly in rough water.

Both the Amplitude and Amplitude Smooth series' feature AST Plus, which is a coating, but is also integrated into the entire line.  This process/material increases durability of the line, as well as making it super slick.  The slickness of many lines wears off quickly, but because AST Plus is built into the line, it never wears out.  These lines are known to last a long time and don't collect dirt and grime as quickly, and are much easier to clean when they do get dirty. 

Amplitude Trout:  We loooove Scientific Anglers' Trout taper.  It is our favorite "parking lot line" that we cast to test rods, or when we have a few minutes and really need to step out for some fresh air.  We already had this taper in the Mastery Series as well as in the Amplitude Smooth Series.  We have added the Amplitude Series, which is different than the Amplitude Smooth. 

Amplitude Anadro Nmyph:  The Anadro Nymph (or just Anadro) is our most popular steelhead line, and the addition of the Amplitude Anadro is a good fit.  This line is great for nymphing and swinging for steelhead using 9'-10' rods.  This is about the perfect line for most steelhead applications, and of course, salmon if you are headed up to Alaska where floating lines are the key.  The textured tip and shooting sections make casting a breeze, and the AST Plus helps keep your line in top condition, even if you are hard on your lines.


Amplitude Saltwater

We have been striving to improve our saltwater offerings, from flies to reels to rods and lines.  We have included three new saltwater lines in our latest additions. 

Amplitude Infinity Smooth Saltwater:  This is a saltwater version of the popular Infinity Taper.  This is a half-size heavy, with a 50' (or close) head.  Honestly, casting it reminds me of a RIO Gold, but that is not a bad thing.  This line casts very smoothly and is really, really easy to cast. It features AST Plus, as well a nice color scheme that is typical for tropical situations.  This is the Amplitude Smooth, so there is no texture to the line, but many of us like it that way.  That is why there are choices...  and this should be a top choice for an all around tropical line.

Amplitude Bonefish:  This is a nice bonefish line that should provide accurate casts to the spookiest fish.  The shorter taper will definitely help with anglers that are not "pro" tropical anglers.  The Amplitude Bonefish line has a "sighter" section on the rear of the line, so you can see the end of your fly line out there when the backing is flying off the reel.  This line also features AST Plus, as well as the floating and shooting textures mentioned above.  It is the lightest of the three new S/A saltwater lines we brought in.

Amplitude Grand Slam:  This also features AST Plus and the aforementioned textures.  This taper is slightly shorter with more weight than the Bonefish line or the Infinity Taper.  This is a great line for the saltwater angler that wants to do it all.  We already carry this poular line in the Mastery Series, but wanted to expand it because it is such a versatile line.  You can catch a snook, then a redfish and then wants to go wail on some sea trout for a while all with one line that will cast well in most tropical fishing scenarios.  The Grand Slam can handle larger flies, windy conditions and is built for making that quick cast when you really need it.


Master Series

The Mastery Series is like the gold standard of fly lines.  It may not be the most expensive series out there, but there is some serious quality in a Mastery Series line.  Welded loops, AST technology, floating tip texture, it is far more than basic.

Mastery Standard:  This is a throwback line.  Built like they used to be built.  This line follows AFTMA standards for weight in a fly line, which means a lot to those of us that like to cast. With proper weight and distribution of that weight, you can really feel a rod load how it is was built to load.  The Standard is a shorter head than the Trout Taper, but it should be fairly similar.  This would be preferable over the Trout Taper in smaller rivers where casts are in the 30'-40' range.  The Trout Taper is similar, but it is a better "parking lot line" than the Standard, where we tend to try to make really long casts that are rare on the water. 

Versatile Presentation Taper (VPT):  This line has been around for a while, but we are just bringing it back into the mix.  It is an excellent dry fly line.  It makes excellent casts at spooky fish, and is a very good roll casting line.  I have been fishing this line on my 4wt for four years now, and have been digging it.  I took it on a trip where we were casting small dries at short distances one minutes and then roll casting streamers into a lake the next.  It performs well.  That is why it is called the Versatile Presentation Taper. 


Sonar Series

Scientific Anglers' Sonar series includes sinking lines to get your fly to that perfect depth.  This series features welded loops, AST coating, and sonar sinking technology.   There are several great options in the series, but the newest addition is the most crucial line for lake anglers, the intermediate sinking line.  S/A's new Stillwater Camo Clear line should be just the ticket for lake anglers.  The 1.25 inch per second sink rate keeps the fly in the zone for a long time, and the soft, clear material should eliminate the coiling issues of past intermediate lines.  The camo coloring will make it hard for fish to see, plus it looks good on the reel.  No stillwater angler should go without an intermediate sinking line.  It is the first choice for most, and this one should be everything that you need in a line. 


Shooting Line

Absolute Shooting Line - Flat Mono:  This is a shooting line for two-handed rods, or for similar scenarios.  Steelhead, stripers, streamers.  It is flat, so it doesn't roll around in your hands and is easy to grip in cold water.  I prefer a mono shooting line with my two-handed setup, and this is a solid choice.  It doesn't coil much (but you should stretch it out before you start casting), and it doesn't stretch much or have an uneven, lumpy feel to it like Amnesia can get.  It is fairly similar to RIO Slickshooter, but it seems more stout, stiff and easier to handle.  I will definitely be trying some out when I change out my running line next.