PROUDLY MADE IN

MICHIGAN, USA

THE SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR ART

Fly fishing humbles us. It leads anglers to believe we are equal parts super hero and insignificant organism. It allows us to value the progression of cutting-edge technologies while taking joy in worn wading boots, entry-level pickup trucks, river-temperature beers, and afternoons trying to chase skunk off the boat. We at Scientific Anglers believe in a facilitation of the two, an ability to provide consumers with the best products available while enabling them to enjoy the simple, and often best, aspects of our sport.

Scientific Anglers began with three men (Leon P. Martuch, Clare Harris, and Paul Rottiers) and a single vision, transposed into a company spanning across the globe, influencing the way modern fly fishermen interpret and practice our sport. The cast, the rods, the reels, and the flies all connect through the cotter pin of fly fishing: fly line. Scientific Anglers became the unequivocal champion of fly-line production through leading market innovation and development during fly fishing’s early widespread industrialization.

Numerous editorials have been penned regarding the physics of fly fishing and the impact of polymeric coatings, evolutionary taper structure, core construction, complex density, and fluid dynamics. At the base of these arguments is a single common denominator: Scientific Anglers. We have implicitly initiated a majority of these arguments by facilitating the development of industry-leading technologies, a practice that inevitably leads to scrutiny amidst competitors. As we continue to walk one step ahead, our focus dwells on forward progress—a vision and mission which consistently and constantly pushes the technological limits of fly fishing.

At Scientific Anglers, we accept responsibility for Spey geek grain-weight battles, trout bum standard-weight struggles, and saltwater suppleness bar brawls.

We enjoy the dynamic struggle between old school, new school, and the evolution of customer and industry demands. What lies between the fish slime and truth is where we flourish. Scientific Anglers rejects the happy medians, the good enoughs, the that’ll do’s, and the status quo.

Welcome to the next page in an evolving history of Scientific Anglers and welcome to the future of our sport.

1952

Under the banner Scientific Anglers, Martuch and company develop the first modern plastic-coated tapered fly line, which replaces the day’s silk lines which offered limited flotation and required extensive drying after only a few hours’ use.

1959

Scientific Anglers introduces Air Cel, widely considered the first modern floating fly lines.

1959

Microballoons are introduced in the new Air Cel Supreme lines and go on to revolutionize the way fly lines float.

Microbaloons

1960

Scientific Anglers introduces Wet Cel, the first modern sinking fly lines.

Wet Cel

1961

American Fly Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA) introduces standard physical line-weight designations for fly lines.

1963

Scientific Anglers introduces revolutionary Bass Bug and Saltwater tapers with unique profiles that improve castability and performance characteristics with larger flies.

Bass Bug

1966

The first shooting lines hit the market under the Air Cel label.

1969

Scientific Anglers introduces the first balanced rod, reel, and line system, which also marks the introduction of System reels that go on to become among the most popular reels in fly-fishing history.

Reel

1976

Bruce Richards starts work at Scientific AnglersIn his 33 years with SA, Richards was responsible for many of the advancements and developments in modern fly lines.

1980

Scientific Anglers pioneers the use of powdered tungsten in its sinking fly lines, which produces lines that sink faster than lead-based lines and are safer for the environment.

Tungsten

1986

The Mastery Learning System is introduced, leading four years later to Mastery Series fly lines and dealerships, where the very best fly line products and expertise are available.

1988

Scientific Anglers introduces silicone as a slickness agent in fly lines, a technology that is soon copied throughout the industry and is still used today.

1988

Monocore—the first durable clear sinking fly lines—are introduced.

1998

AST—Advanced Shooting Technology—is introduced and begins a new ‘slickness craze’ in fly-line manufacturing. Patented AST continues to set the standard for fly-line slickness and durability.

AST

2001

XTS gel-spun backing is introduced and provides up to 75 percent more reel capacity than standard material and is stronger than steel in equal diameters.

2004

System X fly boxes hit the market and wow anglers with their innovative waterproof, see-through design.

2007

Advancements in fly-line development led to the first-ever textured fly line, the Sharkskin, which hit the market to widespread acclaim. By embossing a diamond-shaped pattern on the length of each line, Scientific Anglers vastly reduced friction, leading to lines that floated higher, shot farther, and lasted longer than any previous line ever produced. Sharkskin

2007

SA ID first printed on lines, allows anglers too easily identify lines when out of packaging. SAID

2009

Bruce Richards retires from Scientific Anglers, but continues on in an advisory role

2014

The most technologically advanced line ever produced, the SharkWave, debuts in March of 2014. Taking the texturing process to the next level, Scientific Anglers creates the world’s first triple-textured and triple-colored fly line. The tip section of each line features the diamond-shaped Sharkskin embossing; the heads and running lines are embossed with the golf-ball dimpled Mastery Texture; and a smooth section, known as the Tactile Reference Point, sits where the head meets the running line.SharkWave GPX

2016

Our Sonar Series of Sinking Lines are introduced, creating a new standard in premium sinking fly line technology.

Sonar Full Intermediate

2016

Josh Jenkins joins SA and assumes the role of R&D Manager creating the next generation of Scientific Anglers lines.

2017

Brad Befus is named President of Scientific Anglers, having joined the organization in 2009.

2017

Patented AST + Slickness becomes a major component of SA’s premium lines, significantly increasing slickness and durability of our premium floating fly lines. 

AST PLUS

2017

Amplitude Textured Fly Lines are introduced to the market the first fly lines to use patented AST+ slickness additive, setting a new industry standard for slickness and durability in premium fly lines. Amplitude Grand Slam

2018

Amplitude Smooth Fly Lines are introduced a year after our textured lines hit the market, giving a smooth option for those wanting the slickest most durable fly line on the market. Amplitude Smooth Infinity

2019

Absolute Leader and Tippet are introduced to as the best performing materials available, Absolute nylon leaders and tippet have a 29% higher wet knot strength compared to our previous material and up to 40% higher wet knot strength when compared to our competitors. Absolute Fluorocarbon leaders boast a 15% higher wet knot strength compared to our previous material and features incredible clarity and abrasion resistance. 

Absolute Trout 3-Pack Leader

2019

Scientific Angler’s introduces paper-based leader packaging which is 100% recyclable. All materials, ink, and window are fully biodegradable to protect our streams and reduce our environmental footprint one plastic envelope at a time.   Winning the Fly Fisherman Green Award in 2020.

Gear Guide Best Leader/Tippet

2021

A recyclable paperboard fly line spool is introduced, significantly reducing waste from previously used plastic spools.

  • Did you know that two fly lines worth of plastic were used to produce the spools previously used?
  • To date we have removed 27 tons of HDPE plastic from the waste stream- June 2023

2022

The patent-pending Regulator Spool is released making loading fly lines on reels a much simpler task.Regulator Spool

2023

Leading the way in conservation and sustainability SA received the 2023 Fly Fisherman Green Award for reducing packaging waste by switching from single use plastic to our FSC certified paper board spools.

Fly Fisherman Gear Guide Green Award