Scott Fly Rods...The STS Story
2001-05-10 - Learn how the best fly rods in the world were created

In 1995, Scott Rod designer Jim Bartschi and Marketing director Steve Pagano came to me and proposed that I help Scott Fly Rod Company design a high end saltwater rod that would not only compete with the existing brands but outperform them. With such grandiose plans, I had to be convinced of their commitment level. From the beginning, the Scott Fly Rod company assured me that the commitment level of their company would be unmatched by any fly rod company and that they would spend the time and money necessary to get the job done the right way. To further convince me of their company's unique devotion to the sport they brought me out to the factory where I met each employee and discovered that the entire company was comprised of hardcore flyfishermen. I was so impressed with Scott at this point that I terminated my relationship with another established rod company who was underutilizing their pro staff resources in hopes of seeing some of my design ideas come to market.  

I fished every proto type rod in every wind and weather condition with a wide assortment of flies and leaders. I purposefully lifted with improper technique and abused the rods daily. After over 100 rods were sent to me to try, we had completed about 1/2 of the rods that comprise the STS line. This accomplishment was timed perfectly for the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in Denver. To their credit, Scott Fly Rod Company chose not to submit these rods until the entire rod line was completed. Another year passed and countless rods went back and forth from Scott to myself for trial and error testing. With input from Chico Fernandez, Fletcher White, Brian O’Keefe, Mark Sedoti and others, Jim Bartschi was able to put the finishing touches on the rods and unveil the Scott Tactical Series (STS Series) saltwater fly rod line that included fly rods from 6 weight through 12 weight after 2  years.

The same year, the STS series won “Top 10, Best of Show” from the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, a “KUDO” from Fly Rod and Reel Magazine and the 8 weight was labeled “the best Bass fly rod in the world”  also by Fly Rod and Reel Magazine. These rods solidified Scott as a leader in fresh and saltwater fly rods and have established sales that make other rod manufacturers drool. These rods are terrific and will only be improved by another mammoth testing endeavor. Scott’s commitment to salt and freshwater make me proud to be associated with them as their first saltwater Pro-Staff member and an integral part of the design process. This devotion to quality and superiority explains why so many people are becoming “Scott Heads”. Check them out in my fly shop or go cast one at your local dealer. More information may be found on the company's extensive website at www.scottflyrod.com.

Remember, any rod can cast well on a parking lot but only one rod company is able to claim 2  years of testing and tweaking one product line before the product was ever brought to market. You can be assured that no other rod series is better for flats fishing situations because that is exactly what makes up the soul of these rods.