Why not skip the scandi and move on to
something like a NextCast system.
Their Fall Favorites and Winter Authority lines are really versatile.


"Scandi for small fly" theory is a fallacy. In short, it all depends on how you set up your delivery system.

With a multi-tip scandi system you can fish a pretty wide range of flies, including silver hiltons or other atlantic salmon style flies.

 

My first rod was the 12657 Highlander Classic. It's about 12 years old now, so not the S, but a 420 Airflow Compact Scandi is really sweet on it.

The other option I would recommend even more is calling Bob's shop and having Steve Godshall dial you in a scandi or BC scandi for it- then you'll know it's spot on.

 

thanks for the suggestions. Not familiar with the nextcast lines mentioned....are they scandi's as well?

 

I have the 1266S-4 and it's great with a 390-420 Scandi/Rage.

 

appreciate the responses!

 

I'm a big fan of Steve Godshall lines !! I have multiple lines from Steve for each of my Meiser rods.
His SGS Scandi lines are amazingly smooth and deliver with delicacy. The SGS Skandit and Scandoid lines deliver with more authority, but still have that delicate factor. The SGS Skandit and Scandoid have more aggressive tapers.
He offers these lines in full floating and full intermediate versions as well. He also can make them into multi-tips for you to match with tips you already have or he can set up a complete system and include all the tips necessary and/or polys too !! A discussion on personal feel and loading with you and what he ships to you is a dialed in line to your rod and your preferred taste that seems like it is a match made in heaven :smokin::smokin:


Mike

 

By all mean try lots of lines on that rod, but having one of Steve's SGS Scandi lines, especially on a Meiser, is obligatory.

They cost in most cases no more than a commercial line, and may get to you just as fast. Plus they come with a personal consultation with Steve as to just what you want! Get one to match your tips if you like, rather than the other way around.

 

I should mention that I have the 12'6" 6/7 MKS ... which is virtually the same grain window as your 5/6/7 Highlander.
I use the following lines:

- SGS Skagit : 23' @ 473 grains
- SGS Scandi floater multi-tip : 34.7' @ 434 grains
- SGS Skandit floater multi-tip : 33.1' @ 455 grains
- SGS Skandit intermediate multi-tip : 30.6' @ 423 grains
- 6/7 Beulah Aerohead : 44' @ 450 grains
- 8/9 Guideline PT Hover : 36.5' @ 427 grains

The least used of these lines is the SGS Skagit. It's a great line, don't get me wrong. It just doesn't usually suit the application for the river situations I typically use the rod for.


Mike

 

More good suggestions...Thanks! I have one SGS scandi that came with the rod. It never felt like it loaded the rod enough for me, but I was new to spey casting then. Maybe I'll give it another try.

 

If all you have ever used is a skagit it may feel that way at first, but if it was made for that rod you can be sure it is you, and not the line in this case. Yes at some point you will have some personal taste as a little to a bit heavier or lighter, but the line is probably matched. Are you using the recommended tips? Or is it a straight scandi? Steve's scandis that use sink tips usually come in at around the lower number on the rods grain window for me. The weight and recomended tip characteristics are usually printed on the piece of paper that comes with the line, inside the ziplock.

 

What is the length and grain weight of that SGS Scandi ??
If you are use to casting Skagit heads, then I would suggest mentioning that to Steve. He can adjust the taper to be a little more Skagitty for you. The Skandit lines are borderline Skagit/Scandi and his most aggressive tapers. For me, they are the ultimate lines to make you look like a rock star :smokin:
But more importantly, they can carry a wide range of payloads long distances and still remain delicate. They are a very easy casting line and great blend between Skagit and Scandi.
The Scandoid or BC-Scandi head is slightly less aggressive and more on the Scandi taper side. It still has a wide range of payload capabilities, just not as much as the Skandit. However it is a little softer in the presentation department.


Mike

 

The line that came with the rod is a SGS 'BC" scandi. 30', 512 gr. I'm completely sure that it was my lack of casting skill that kept me from appreciating the line. I got a skagit head and the rod immediately a pleasure to cast. Now that I have a few years under my belt, I figured I'd give a scandi a try again. BTW, I made a mistake in my original post...my rod is the S2H12668C, NOT the 5-7 wt.

 

10-12' ot t8 or t11 should work on that head, or 8-9 wt Rio replacement tips. The BC scandis are the more beefy scandi heads. A 510 or 530 scandi compact should be good matches on that rod if you want to try out a more "conventional" scandi. They do feel very different than skagit heads, and even once you get very familiar with both it still takes a couple dozen casts sometimes when making the switch before the casts get silky smooth again.

 

I won't need sink tips for fall swinging and skating, so just versileaders or polyleaders?

 

You could use a floating tip on that BC scandi, which might be great for skaters that have a lot of wind resistance. But with small flies then yeah, lightweight tips or just a long taperd mono leader on a scandi compact or another similar scandi head. Very elegant without being too big a step.

 

As it so happens, I have the 13' 6/7/8 Highlander
That BC Scandi that you have is in the same ball park as the one I have for my rod. It works very well with long mono leaders starting with #30 Maxima down to #12, #10 and #8 tippets. I've also been pairing it with 15' Snowbee poly's in all densities and find excellent turnover for flies up to a reduced #1/0 (about the size of a #2 fly), same for the mono leaders. I prefer a straight mono leader for anything on the surface, whether skating, waking or hitching.
Steve built my BC-Scandi as a multi-tip, so for any serious payloads, I can remove the floating tip and add a sink-tip. I use #9 Rio 15' replacement tips or 12' of Z-11 to deliver shanks and larger traditional size flies.


Mike

 

Normally on a head like that I would put the tapered mono leader on AFTER a 10' floating tip, but sounds like you put it on AS the tip, is that correct? I got a BC scandi with my New MKX so maybe something to play with on the Rogue this weekend.

 

I would suggest you just get a Rage head. About 30 gr. less than your Skagit head is a pretty oood place to start. Then just use mono leaders. Simple Simon!