Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Scientific Anglers Spey Lite Series breakdown

Two years ago Scientific Anglers introduced the Spey Lite Series of single hand / two hand lines designed specifically for the needs of the trout spey or any lite action spey angler.

These new lines answered a long sought after solution to anglers wanting to fish single hand skagit and/or needing the smooth connection of an integrated line for smooth casting and stripping especially suited to smaller rod and smaller water situations.

New additions have been added this year to further fulfill the needs of the trout spey / micro spey angler.

Here's the run down...

Spey Lite Skagit Integrated

I call this the star of the show because it's what many anglers, like myself, had been asking for for quite some time. While head/running line systems have a solid place in spey, soon after trout spey really started to take off, many anglers experienced frustration with the hitch of the loop system. Especially noticeable in smaller waters and stripping streamer situations. A cry for an integrated line was heard by Scientific Anglers.
Key features of this integrated skagit include short powerful skagit head, black head marker point that is also textured to create an audible reference, and a slick, well matched, thin diameter shooting line. For 2019 S/A added a 390gr and 420gr version to expand the Spey Lite options.

New for 2019 - Spey Lite Skagit Integrated Intermediate

All the same great features as the floating version but with a fully intermediate sinking head. Now you can break below surface chop and cut through strong currents to have better control of your swing.

Spey Lite Skagit (Head Only) Floating and Intermediate Versions

Left-Floating - Right-Intermediate

Spey Lite Skagits, both Floating and Intermediate are also available in head only versions. Same great, powerful short heads as the integrated line but head only, allowing for the angler to choose their choice of running/shooting lines. Note that since these are head only with loop to loop connections they do not include the textured audible reference point.

Spey Lite Scandi Integrated
While the Skagit may be the star, the Scandi certainly plays the role of best supporting. It's especially effective for anglers who want to play the finesse side of trout spey with flies like soft hackles, wets, lightly weighted leaches and even skating flies.

Spey Lite Scandi is single hand rod friendly but I really like the responsiveness I get on my longer trout spey rods. With just a long leader, a double soft hackle rig can be so effective and effortless to cast. Tight loops and easy turnover will highlight the finesse side of trout spey.

Like the Integrated Skagit, Scandi Integrated also features the visual black, audible textured head to shooting line transition for easy casting point identification.
Sizes 390gr and 420gr have been added for 2019.

Spey Lite Scandi Heads - New for 2019

Two years ago when introduced, the scandi was only offered in an integrated version. Demand for a head only version was quickly realized. New for 2019, Scientific Anglers met that demand. Pair this scandi head with a slick shooting line and watch it fly. Achieving tight loop, distance cast with trout spey size rods is absolutely achievable with these scandi heads and with grain weights reaching into the 6 weight spey class summer steelheaders have new game.