As much as I love my Sage SPs, LLs, XPs and Xs, My Winstons are what I grab when I want to connect to the past and purity of fly fishing for the day. When he was only a few days old, I put a Winston rod in his hands, hoping that hell grow up to be a Winston guy like his dad. When I hooked a fish on those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasnt under undue strain. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! So, if youre fighting big fish on lighter line, or hook an absolute hog on 5x, dont worry. It was a perfect hatch. The AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy you'd expect from a Winston. This rod is responsive, easy to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots. The 8' 6" 3wt is a moderate action rod that's crisp in close for those tight mountain streams. The quintessential summer trout fishing hat. Lines: SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line, RIO Gold Elite Fly Line, RIO Perception Elite Fly Line. tellurideangler.com Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk sweetandsalt Well-known member Messages 16,141 Reaction score 7,521 Location - Mayflies tend to fly with a nonchalance thats undoubtedly part of why trout love them so much. The 8' 4wt Air is very similar to the same model of the Pure. In Colorado, 5 and 6-weights often require fast action characteristics. In addition to the dialed grain windows, AIR TH models utilize smaller diameter grips to give anglers more feel and intuition during the cast. Featuring a deep loading action with fast recovery rates, AIR TH models are ideal for any steelhead and salmon fishing application. Your email address will not be published. R.L. I am so pleased with this rod, that they have found a way into the room of this crowded conversation but did it with a sense of grace. Big mends and high sticking are cake. While it's not the lightest 4wt on the market, it is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke. It felt like I was mending a double-taper line with a Sage ONE, but with more feel in the tip than the ONE ever had. Winston Air 2 9'6 5-weight Like the 9'6 4-weight, this model is a deadly fishing tool in the appropriate arena. Line speed and control will match or exceed any other rod in the most demanding conditions. New for 2021 the R.L. These rods can do anything present tiny dry flies to wary trout on flat water, cast a heavy streamer to the far bank in the wind, launch the entire line when you need it, and make quick, accurate close-range shots. I first cast this rod with a Scientific Anglers Trout Taper, which throws beautiful loops but allows for a little bit of tip bounce inside of 25 feet. The Winston Air 2 combines the feel and soul of Winston with higher line speed, a faster recovery rate, and a modern smooth action. The AIR 2 bucks that trend, and its just plain fun to cast. Also a great a choice for smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and others. I love how light this rod feels at every distance. My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but not both. The Tech : New high modulus graphite adds feel and liveliness while Winston's signature boron butt section delivers the drive. But building a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air would've captured a broader audience. We need powerful rods that can zip out shooting heads and weighted flies with ease, repeatedly, but still retain a light and sensitive feeling in the hand. PROS & DEALERS My very favorite is the Rio Elite Technical Trout, which loads this rod with no effort from fly-in-hand to beyond the backing knot. That being said, there is some crossover with the same rod model in the Pure series. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Perennially known for elegance and touch, Winston has designed a rod that will go toe-to-toe with the most powerful fly rods in the world. If a double haul is required for casting in the wind, tap it lightly and expect a confident response. Long leaders turned over with ease. And that kind of power is rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod. But even though the casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate, the Pure packs a . What Id hoped would get the fish moving wasnt showing up yet, and based on the weather and time of day, I doubted it would. AIR TH 5wt:Anglers needing a crossover rod for trout and light steelhead should consider the 12 5weight Air TH. This is a really well crafted fly rod with specific purpose: line control for presenting smaller flies. These rods blend accuracy, delicacy, and fish fighting strength. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. The Air 2 is much more powerful, but still maintains some of that winston smoothness. His middle name is actually Henry, so you can tell that its a special place to our family. Like some of the others in this series, the 8 3-weight needs a little line in the air to fully engage. As versatile as the 8' 6" 4wt is, the 9' 4wt may be more versatile. For a good long while, I didnt find a modern Winston series that fished better than my trusty old 9 5wt B3x. In the 1990s, Winston revolutionized fly rod building with the invention of a boron/graphite composite, leaving traditional fiberglass and graphite blanks in the dust. It will handle slightly heavier lines, such as the Rio Technical Trout or Gold, but why not split hairs and bring out the very best? Of course, like our shootouts and other casting commentaries, these mini-reviews are based on our casting style and preferences. Its truly a do-it-all fly rod. The slim profile provides a better connection to the rod while the proprietary design puts presentation and tippet protection as the first priority. The extra 6" of length means this rod mends line easier on the water and helps anglers who are fishing slightly larger streams. The 9 4wt Air 2 features a fast action with a light tip capable of presenting delicate dries with long, light leaders. Montrose, CO The R.L. On the water, it possesses a rare combination of command with touch. Ryan and I waded back into the water, giving each other enough room to cast. The Air 2 are freshwater fly rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers. This resin also allows Winston to use a little less material in their blanks to reduce overall weight while increasing strength and preserving the feel of the casting stroke in a wide range of fishing scenarios. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. When you daydream of delicate presentation trout fishing, where does your mind wander off to? Whether you're throwing small flies at short range or need to make a longer cast on a high mountain lake, this rod's snappy action and lightweight feel exemplifies versatility. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. Swing weight is virtually non-existent. First offered in 1989 as a limited edition 60th Anniversary model, the Tom Morgan Favorite Rod has proved to be so popular it has remained a Winston customer favorite for the last 30 years. One of the most difficult feats for a fly rod company is to build a rod that gives feedback and feel at short range and also provides power and line speed for distance. Winston AIR 2. A Winston rod series designed to up your game against the Alpha fish lurking in the shadows. Having this kind of recovery rate while maintaining flexibility accommodates for different speeds of a casting stroke, which adds to the incredible versatility of the WinstonAir 2 series. It ate the dry!, I glanced back at Ryan. These rods had to be standouts, equal or superior on a windy day with heavy flies and distant fish. Air 2 | Selecting a fast action fly rod - Telluride Angler Telluride Angler's fast action fly rod review compares Scott Centric, Sage X, Loomis Asquith, Loomis NRX+and Winston Air 2 fly rods model-by-model. Nothing truer said. The short range accuracy of this rod makes throwing stimulator patterns easy and delicacy at mid-range seamless. Thats a big price. To this day, thats still the most magnificent blue-wing hatch Ive ever witnessed. Each rod is fantastic at one thing, but only one of them is a truly versatile, do-everything trout rod. Finally, the 133 is the perfect winter steelhead rod, that can get smaller flies in the strike zone.Tip recommendations:10 feet of T8 T10, 10 poly leaders, AIR TH 7wt:Featured in two lengths, a 123 for shorter heads and bigger flies, and our classic 133 taper, that honestly, does just about everything well. My son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad. Introducing the brand new R.L. Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Fly Line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating Fly Line. It has a faster action than other rods in the series and flexes most in the tip and mid-section. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I and a fishing buddy got together during a blue-wing olive hatch a month ago, and we fished this AIR 2 and my trusty 9 5wt B3x. Winston Tom Morgan Favorite Fly Rod 4WT 8' 2PC. And nothings happening.. I think thats why I enjoyed that blue-wing hatch more than any other stellar dry fly hatch Ive fished. While the rod will surely handle just about any line, I found the Infinity to be a particularly strong match because the long rod loads most evenly with a long-headed line. Its light. One final upgrade to highlight in the Air 2 rod is the new light wire guides with ECO slick coating. The sage x is considered a fast rod, and the air seems to me to be a medium fast, which is what I was looking for. That being said, this isn't a 6wt you would want to take to Alaska or on a river where bulky indicator rigs are common. Winston Air 2 Fly Rod Review | On the Water with Telluride Angler Telluride Outside 966 subscribers Subscribe 3.2K views 1 year ago COLORADO Telluride Angler's John Duncan field. Bear with me while I set the stage a bit. Whether someone is looking for their first rod or trying to upgrade, the Winston Air 2 has the versatility and performance to excel in a variety of fishing situations and casting abilities. Connect with him on Instagram/Twitter, @Spencer_Durrant. If you could own only one saltwater rod, this 9 8 weight would cover any standard saltwater application. Saltwater AIR 7wt:Our 9 7 weight Saltwater Air has become the perfect all-round bonefish rod. If you understand these designations, youre a big-bass angler. I dont think technology is the key, just a means to an end. In overall quality, it matches every one of these rods. Copyright 2013-present Magento, Inc. All rights reserved. SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY*, JOIN ANGLER REWARDS TODAY - Earn 1 Point For Every Dollar Spent, EARN 1 POINT FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU SPEND AT MRFC.COM, Moderate action with quick recovery that allows for open loops for fine dry fly presentation along with the ability to generate faster line speed as required for different conditions, Slim profile with fine grip and guide configurations for better connection to the rod, Proprietary design puts presentation and tippet protection as the first priority, Ideal for light nymph and dry fly fishing applications, Highest performance boron/graphite composite materials, Exceptionally powerful, capable of generating high line speeds, Designed to cast big flies, heavy lines, shooting heads and sinking tips, Extra reinforced ferrules for ultimate lifting power, Designated grain windows for each rod model, Designed and Handcrafted in Twin Bridges, MT, All graphite with classic WT spigot ferrule design, Incredibly smooth with wonderful touch and feel, Extra light 4-weight, perfect for spring creek fishing, GUIDES: Chrome nanoli test ripper guide/chrome snake guides, REEL SEAT: Nickel Silver with burled wood insert, STORAGE: Premium aluminum tube with logo rod sock. Choose your line for your fishing situation, but keep in mind that heavier lines (such as the Infinity Taper), slow the rod down into a medium-fast action and youll lose some of the benefit of keeping your line high on the backcast. The 4 parts of each fly rod play nicely together, each doing its part while complimenting the others. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. Spring creek and tailwater anglers have a new favorite rod. We are not a blog or a review site. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. That I got to spend the whole day throwing dry flies only made the experience that much more unforgettable. The Double Haul Trucker is the perfect cap for fishing whether youre in the salt or on the rivers. The medium-fast action of the Air provides the angler with plenty of feedback and feel at shorter distances and is ideal for dry fly fishing. And, were talking 5-6 weight rods, this isnt striper fishing. Saltwater AIR 10wt:With great power comes great fish. 2023 Madison River Fishing Company Really a nice rod to cast. These are special fly rods, not mere tools. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing. Howler Monkeys call from the canopy. Its hard to draw this up on a blackboard, but when you feel it, you know it. Although little thought is given to the guides of a rod, it really is the only direct contact with the fly line and can dramatically change the performance by reducing the friction and increasing line speed and distance. They showcase adaptive and specified grain windows that are ideal for specific two-hand applications. Any fellow parents can relate to that big exhalation of relief when you have some time to yourself. Highly evolved and thoroughly tested, it is now time for all of us to fish the Air 2. It's maybe not exactly what the op is looking for, but I notice TA included into their comparative reviews: Giving you real-time river information, with details on hatches, flies, and fishing tactics for the Big Hole River. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. All Rights Reserved. I am in the market for a 5w 9ft rod for flys and a bit of nymphing. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. The Saltwater AIR series is very light and allows for unprecedented fast recovery, for any length of cast. Its stable, accurate and easy to cast with heavy line heads, nymph/indicator rigs and streamers. Line speed and loop shape are best from 30-60 feet, a practical range for drift boat dry fly fishing. I would choose this model over the competition for technical fishing on tailwaters, but not for double nymphing on rivers such as the Gunnison where large flies, heavy weight and bulky strike indicators are the norm. AIR TH rods adjust to any casting style and preference by utilizing several standardized rod lengths across multiple grain windows. If the 9 #5 is a 7 out of 10 in stiffness, the 9 #4 is a 6 out of 10. Item : . The gang at Telluride Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders@tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails? It will handle slightly heavier lines, such as the Rio Technical Trout or Gold, but why not split hairs and bring out the very best? into the space occupied by Asquith, X and Centric was an invitation to be eaten alive. So far, we were the only things fish or people caught in the rain. The only difference was these fish werent hitting just anything. I was thoroughly impressed by this rod turning over the shooting heads and baitfish patterns we fish on Puget Sound. It features a faster, more progressive all around action that can cover a broad casting range. Their rods are the product of over 85 years of die-hard anglers and fly rod innovation. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Breathing is believing. Also of note is how well this rod mends. Winston Air Model-By-Model Fly Rod Review, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating Fly Line, How to Tie the Crappie Killer Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Film Critic Emerger Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Puterbaugh Foam Caddis Fly Pattern, How to Choose the Best Fly Rod for Bonefish, Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model, How to Tie the Golden Retriever Fly Pattern. Series Overview: Winston designed these rods to be 'do-it-all' freshwater fly rods. Required fields are marked *. In the past, some Winston 6-weights have lacked the bottom end to overcome challenging conditions, like high wind or the necessity to hold up a long backcast while wading deep. We spend a lot of time testing gear and writing reviews to give you all of the tools to make your next trip a success. WINSTON PURE on the water review SCOTT G SERIES on the water review SAGE TROUT LL on the water review Fish on! Then, cutting through the pitter-patter silence of a rainy day on a small piece of water, we heard the unmistakable sound of fly line going tight. I use a Wulff Trout Taper Floating line with my 905-4, and it's perfect. Featuring the time-tested Bauer signature drag package and revolutionary 5-axis design, there is none other like it. I have an 8 ft 6 pure, and really like the way it feels. The hatch was too good to worry about which fish I landed and which ones went free. Elegant, sensitive and plush, it casts from short to long with the cadence of a finely tuned instrument that any angler will handle with intuition and precision. In addition to Permit, anglers will love these 9 weights for giant Hawaiian and Bahama bonefish, barracuda, baby tarpon in the mangroves, giant red fish, and stripers in the Northeast. With amazing lifting strength in the butt section, anglers can pull hard on these powerful fish. Sign Up For the Latest News, Sales And Deals, 2023 Trouts Fly Fishing. (You can unsubscribe anytime), Like most web sites, we use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products. It was the sort of fishing that demanded good casting and attention to detail, but rewarded both handsomely. Copyright 2018 all rights reserved Winston packed a bunch of new features into the AIR 2 that address accuracy. Featuring Boron III technology, these fast action rods excel in a range of Two-Handed situations, from covering big, broad rivers to dealing with tree-lined banks or demanding weather. There is no asterisk. We fish Centrics, Asquiths and X rods on the Gunnison, Animas and Colorado. Winston elegance springs from this rod with every cast. Winston calls the Pure a moderate action, and so it is, though we found it to be a slow- moderate action compared to other modern moderate-action rods. Best Use: This 6wt likes a true to size line and is best used as a hopper-dropper rod or a rod for larger dry flies. It seemed like every time we called Winston this spring, the guys were on the Big Hole, testing rods. It turns out that fishing is a critical part of the job, but we always smiled when we got these reports from the factory. I broke off a half-dozen flies, at least, because I set the hook before the fish had fully eaten my blue-wing. I never felt like my tippet was close to breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt rods. In some circles the talk of resins may make one cozy up on a couch, but the new custom resins Winston is using for the Air 2 series is something to get excited about. Remarkably, the new High Strain Rate resin is perfect for the all-purpose rod category by amplifying the energy transfer allowing an angler to make tight loops and punch through the wind with incredible velocity as well as present smaller dries to rising fish at close range in calm water. info@montroseanglers.com Fast forward a month and we packed up the camper, hooked up the drift boat, and headed to the Henrys Fork. Winston Boron III Two-Hand Micro Spey. Air 2 | Selecting a fast action fly rod - Telluride Angler Telluride Angler's fast action fly rod review compares Scott Centric, Sage X, Loomis Asquith, Loomis NRX+and Winston Air 2 fly rods model-by-model. It's a moderate action rod like many rods in the series, but has some of the same power levels you'll find in the 8'6" 4wt. It's the new Winston. It reminded me of the picture so many folks I know try to paint of a stonefly hatch. If we had to choose, the Air is probably slightly faster which makes sense. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. These reviewsYou had me at was an invitation to be eaten alive. CONTACT, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from R.L. You wont want to leave home without it. This is perfect weather. I appreciate the Wells grip Winston chose for this model, which reduces fatigue and accentuates the feeling of lightness. With a little more feel than a 12 weight, this 11 will make pinpoint presentations when a pack of silver kings are bearing down on the skiff. No review of a new Winston would be complete without mentioning how it handles light tippets. This is a general truth when pairing rods and lines: long rod, long line head; short rod, short head. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. When sinking lines are needed for these big fish, this rod can make the presentation. The 8' 4wt didn't really fit into the series as well as the other rods we cast and we felt it was pretty similar to the Pure. Fish one and you will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo and a part of the ultimate fly fishing tradition. As your eyes dry out from searching the lake, a sharp sting sets in to the fingers from stripping the iced fly line across creased skin hundreds of times, and hope slowly fades. Winston has been making BAMBOO rods since 1929, when Robert Winther and Lew Stoner first began innovating using split bamboo cane. Check the Winston Air 2 Fly Rod out in action with this ON-THE-WATER REVIEW on our YouTube channel. The company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. This is an outstanding example of fast but progressive. The flex and recoil are intuitive and ideal for a power-oriented rod designed to fish the worlds most versatile trout lines. It casts most general-purpose trout lines with confidence, but I dont recommend streamer-style lines or overlining, which cause the rod to bog down and lose torsional stability. Its casting stroke tracks straighter than any other Winston Ive fished, and straighter than some of the other flagship rods on the market right now. While any time I get to spend with Mike, Ryan, and Josh is certainly a win, we couldve picked a more convenient location and time to break bread and catch up on life. and "What line works best on this rod?". The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). If one can only own one steelhead rod, these 7 weights will cover a wide range of applications.Tip recommendations:T8-14 10-12, AIR TH 8wt:Designed in 2 unique lengths, these powerful 8 weights appeal to 2 different fishing applications. Beyond 25 feet, its a dream. Saltwater AIR 9wt:An unbelievably light 9 weight that produces fast line speed with incredible accuracy. The fish of 10,000 casts never comes easy. Lines: RIO Creek Fly Line, SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line. Two different lengths gives anglers of different casting styles the ability to choose the model that fits them best. Its the new Winston. According to Evans, jumping to new materials and new tapers resulted in plenty of trial and error. To make such a versatile freshwater rod series, Winston rolled out a unique, progressive SuperSilica resin system that keeps these rods lightweight, powerful, and dynamic. The new Winston Air 2 fly rod is the obvious choice for those of you that want the most versatility out of your trout gear. These rods will cast these big rigs further with minimal false casts and effort.Built like none other. You began to think, At least my double haul is looking good which is really what you say to yourself to keep from feeling disappointment and gnawing self-doubt. It may struggle when lifting a heavy double nymph rig, but will excel with small flies, weight and strike indicators that dont create excessive drag. Theres a million rods out there these days and a million opinions on what the best one isand a lot of hype. With any fly line, this model is more touch-oriented but less powerful than the Air 2 9 5-weight. Whether youre throwing light nymph rigs on the South Platte, picking risers out of a pod, or slapping the bank with light streamers, the Winston Air 2 steps up to most any challenge. In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. 1325 Mayfly Drive 8'6" #3, 8'6" #4, 9' #3, 9' #4, 9' #5, 9' #6, Simms Ms G4 PRO Powerlock Boot Vibram, Armstrong Spring Creek on the OHair Ranch. BENT SINCE 1929 It turns over a long leader with a marvelous combination of command and touch without asking the caster to stop the rod too hard on the forward stroke. 81401 A recent conversation with rod designer Jeff Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure (no pun intended) motives. The Air 2 9 4-weight is definitely faster action than the Pure 9 4-weight, which flexes into the middle of the rod on every cast, but not as powerful as the equivalent Centric, X, Asquith or NRX+. WARRANTY / REPAIRS Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. It has a lively response to a gentle double haul but doesnt require a haul to tap power in the butt section. In spite of its fast action character, it possesses wonderful roll casting and line mending qualities along with the tippet protection you would expect from any Winston. If these are your daydreams, we encourage you to explore our all-new PURE series of trout rods. When casting Air 2 models, we find the progressive fast action to be highly refined. Light in hand, and extremely responsive, these 7 weights are becoming the go-to for dedicated bonefish anglers worldwide. Part of fly fishings allure is the idea that youre waging some sort of passive fight against nature; that we only sometimes win is what keeps us coming back. Nautilus NVG and Abel reels in special colors and graphics, available pre .

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