Compact Scandi or Skagit line questions

[sidewinder]

Guys, I am a longtime lurker raised in the boonies southeast of Syracuse before relocating to Ohio more than 15 years ago. After about ten years of flyfishing singlehanders for Lake Ontario and Lake Erie steelies, a two-handed rod is calling me.

I plan to fish medium to large Lake Erie tribs in northeast Ohio and western New York. Swinging buggers and bunny leeches is my preferred presentation, along with occasional nymphing. One rod being considered is 11'6” and capable of handling 400-450 grain Scandi heads and 450-500 grain Skagit heads with tips to 150 grains.

Here is the question: are compact Scandi heads and a selection of sinking poly or versileaders sufficient to swing flies in low to "medium-high" flows or is the job better left to compact Skagit heads? Obviously having both is more more versatile, but simplicity is important to me at this stage of the game.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Nick Pionessa]

welcome to the site and you must be the guy i talked to the other day. i guess you know my thoughts on this and hopefully some others who own those lines will chime in.

[MartyRomeo]

the Airflo compact scandi head can handle sinktips in my experience to about type 6 (if the fly isn't heavy or bulky), and can definitely easily cast super fast sinking polyleaders. Casting becomes considerably labored with the scandi head once you start hucking meaty flies or heavier tips (i.e. 10' of T-8 is about where my casting goes to $hit).

the compact Skagit head will deliver a LOT of fly and a LOT of tip.

My experience on the Catt and SR has been that, during low-medium flows, the compact scandi head is the better choice. You don't need to get down deep very quickly or throw a meaty fly - and THOSE are the primary goals of Skagit-style set-ups.

My approach is simple since I'm simple-minded: Big flies, big tips = SKAGIT. Plain and simple. Smaller flies, lighter tips (light sinktips, polyleaders, floaters) = SCANDI.

[sidewinder]

Nick, yes, that's me. We have spoken several times and you have always been very helpful.

Suthrn, thanks for the info. It sounds like a Scandi system is pretty versatile, especially because it handles "super-fast-sink" polyleaders and light sinktips. I think Nick used a polyleader system when testing Scott's new switch rod.

Next question: which polyleaders, if any, are best for steelie indy rigs? My normal setup is a simple right angle leader weighted with split shot, and I don't know how to replicate this with polyleaders.

[fishtech]

Your question: Which polyleader if any is best for steelie indy rigs?

I think you should stick with a mono leader, although a floating polyleader might work okay to the right angle and then mono hanging below.

[sidewinder]

Thanks, things are beginning to make sense.

A related question was asked in the General Discussion area about using sinking leaders when egging it. It sounds like a simple mono right angle leader weighted with shot would work fine on a small spey rod if the usual casting ugliness isn't bothersome.

[Nick Pionessa]

FT's got it, stick with the mono for nymphing go with the poly's for swinging. some guys do like the floating 5' steelhead poly's for as FT said the butt of the leader and then have the indy below that on fluoro down to the fly. the floating poly's with the 24# core do turn over well, i use them for bass bugs.

[sidewinder]

A friend called last night. He is experienced with two-handed rods and the streams I fish.

He also likes the versatility of compact Scandi lines with the qualifier that fishing "down and dirty" in heavy flows is a better job for Skagiteering (did I just make a word up)?

Given my plans and your helpful input, a Scandi line mated to a few poly- or versileaders seems to be a good fit. Thanks much.

Hopefully I can find the funds and learn how to make serviceable casts before next fall's steelie run. Any thoughts about the Pineville clave?

[alexp]

in my opinion, the scandi's are much more enjoyable to cast too. i fish that one as much as i can, good choice

[sidewinder]

Thanks, guys. I plan to try Scandi lines first and others as my skills improve and if conditions demand.

I am glad these lines are enjoyable to cast. Smooth, repetitive sequences help me relax, focus on presentation and hopefully catch more fish.