SCIENTIFIC Anglers is a name that flyfishers instantly associate with quality and innovation in flyfishing gear. In particular, the Michigan-based company has led the way in fly line design for decades and this year celebrate its 75th anniversary. When such an esteemed organisation holds the biggest launch of new products in its history, you’d better believe it’s a big deal!
So big, in fact, that Scientific Anglers sent its international sales manager, Jeff Pierce, and research and development manager, Andrew Bosway, all the way to little ol’ Australia to tell us all about it. I was lucky enough to get an invitation to attend an information day at Millbrook Lakes recently, to meet Jeff and Andrew, hear about the science behind their product range and, best of all, test some of the new lines in the trout-laden Cabin Lake.
ABOVE: The day started off with a talk from Research and Development Manager, Andrew Bosway, who told us about the science behind their product range.
Essentially, the team at Scientific Anglers has given their entire range the once over to make sure it is meeting the needs of flyfishers all around the world. Some products have been retired, some stay the same, while many new lines have been added. The info day was organised by Andy Summers at Mayfly Tackle primarily to educate some key Scientific Angler retailers about the new gear – so there shouldn’t be any excuse of your local bloke isn’t the full bottle.
ABOVE: The guys had over 40 reels spooled up with different lines for testing.
Highlights of recent developments in flylines include the evolution of the ground-breaking range of Sharkskin textured lines, introduced by Scientific Anglers in 2007, to become part of the newer Sharkwave series. The increased surface area of these innovative textured lines allows them to sit higher in the water, offering less drag, easier mending, less water spray, and easier pick-ups, while the micro-textured surface traps air to provide increased shootability and flotation. The one slight downside of the Sharkskin lines was a tendency to be a bit rough on angler’s hands. Scientific Anglers have taken this into account in their new lines.
ABOVE: The venue was the comfortable hut beside Cabin Lake at the Millbrook Lakes trout fishery.
When Scientific Anglers developed the Mastery Textured series they took what they had learned from the advantages of the Sharkskin lines, but tweaked the pattern on the micro-textured surface (it now resembles micro-scale golf ball dimples). The result was a series of lines that maintained the important properties of Sharkskin lines but feel more like a traditional smooth lines. No more cut fingers! The new Wavelength series (formally Textured series) series now comes in a multitude of lines from floating to sinking and freshwater to saltwater.
The characteristic dimples of the Wavelength series are also incorporated into the Sharkwave series of lines, which is said to be the world’s first “triple textured” flyline. That means it retains the Sharkskin texture on the front end, then has a series of Wavelength divots along the belly and running line, but a smooth tactile reference point where the head meets the running line. I fished with these lines and I can vouch for the fact that they will make even an average caster like me perform substantially better.
ABOVE AND BELOW: Western Bulldogs AFL star Will Minson tests out a new line and gets some tuition from Millbrook Lakes guide Jim Jackman.
Another area that they have focussed on is their Mastery Smooth series of fly lines which feature a broader range of tapers, while the tapers on existing models have been tweaked as well. Like all Scientific Anglers fly lines their advanced shooting technology is created thanks to the chemical mixture before the fly lines are made, which means the lines shoot better and perform for the life of the line because there is no external coating that can be worn off over time.
ABOVE: Scientific Anglers’ International Sales Manager, Jeff Pierce (left), Mayfly Tackle’s Andy Summers (centre) and Scientific Anglers’ Research and Development Manager, Andrew Bosway (right).
It doesn’t stop at flylines, of course. Scientific Anglers has also updated its vast range of leaders and tippets. One interesting point of note is their decision to ensure that the breaking strain on the packet denotes the actual breaking strain. It’s not a maximum, nor a minimum … it is the strain that will break the tippet. This will be a point of difference with their competitors. And while they’ve maintained the “X” rating for tippets so popular in the US, Scientific Angler tippets also provide breaking strains in both imperial and metric.
ABOVE: There was plenty of time for testing lines – and a couple of trout were landed too!
If you’d like to know more about the mind boggling array of Scientific Anglers lines, leaders, tippets and fly reels visit www.mayflytackle.com.au, or www.scientificanglers.com for further information.
