Swinging with Jim Bartschi

Swinging with Jim Bartschi

Embarking on an unforgettable adventure along the serene banks of the Orkla River, we recently had the extraordinary privilege of meeting none other than the legendary Jim Bartschi of Scott Fly Rods. Having just wrapped and lacquered the first few finished Swing rods – a new series of doublehanded Scott fly rods – we jumped at the chance to ask Jim a few quick questions.

By THE EDITORIAL STAFF // Pictures by RASMUS OVESEN, www.instagram.com/rasmus_ovesen

So, we’re here on the Orkla in Norway. Tell us why you’ve come here?

To catch big salmon with good friends, of course! We’ve come to prepare for the European launch of the new Swing series. There’s a lot of moving parts to bring together. We’re also doing some team building on the river, fishing and celebrating the finished rods.

What is it that fascinates you about anadromous fish and salmon in particular?

I have a lifelong love for anadromous fish. I grew up fishing for steelhead on the coastal streams of Northern California. As soon as I was old enough to travel on my own, I expanded that range to Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Canada.

I’m fascinated by everything from the techniques used to fish for them, to the flies, to the natal rivers they return to. Trying to solve the puzzle to catch them never gets old or easy!

Salmon are especially fascinating since I have less experience fishing for them. The nuanced differences in how they like to see the fly, at which angle, and which speed. I also love the places they call home. It’s very special to fish in places like Norway. The Swing rod range is now replacing the Radian rod range, which has been around for 10 years.

Why is the timing right for a replacement range now?

“I have a lifelong love for anadromous fish”

With both new ideas and new technology, the time to make a better set of fishing tools had arrived.

What were your main goals in designing the Swing rod range?

Well, water type, fish size, technique, personal preferences all play a part in the rod you choose and how you rig it. One size really doesn’t fit all so our goal was to design purpose driven tools that best represented those fishing styles and conditions.

Can you tell us a little bit about the whole development process?

We’ve been building prototypes over the past two years and asking anglers who specialize in given techniques to fish them extensively. The rods have been fished from California to Alaska, and from Canada to Scandinavia. We didn’t stop making new versions until we all agreed the rods were finely tuned for the intended purpose.

And how have you succeeded?

I think on many fronts. The rods are very stable, recover quickly, and cast flat tight loops. They are very light in hand, and finely crafted. We’ve also introduced some innovative new components.

We’ve been building prototypes over the past two years

We’re using a titanium tangle-free stripping guide that helps shoot further and reduces tangles in braided or mono running line. We also designed a new reel seat with specially machined hoods that fit modern high-performance reels and most vintage reel feet.

For us, it’s always in the details.