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? Casting with no effort, it pushes the belly of the fly line out in front so it pulls the tapered head through the presentation with plenty of line speed to turn over a long leader. Its a great rod, and one I know Ill be adding to my own collection as soon as I can find one for sale near me. 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. The Rio Technical Trout strikes a reasonable compromise, but I like the rod best with long headed lines. My favorite line on this rod is a Rio Gold, which hops from the tip and makes the rod feel extra light and crisp throughout the delivery. From the first cast, I pictured myself fishing this rod on The South Platte, Green or San Juan with either dry flies or a long, light nymph rig. I first cast it with an SA Infinity Taper, which is a half line weight heavy with a long head. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. If you could only have 1 5wt which would you recommend the Winston air ,sage x, or sage LL ? The length slows down the cast and the rod bends deep into the butt, with kinetic feel from tip to cork. Amazingly light and response, the 129 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous fish. His middle name is actually Henry, so you can tell that its a special place to our family. United States, 2023 Montrose Anglers. To say this rod blends power and finesse is unfair and simplistic, however. Winston Boron III Two-Hand Micro Spey. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This, like many other rods in the series, is a moderate action rod for the angler with a slower casting stroke. By: Neil Sunday Your mileage may vary. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. Simply match a lines grain window to the appropriate Alpha model to suit your needs and fishing styleALPHA+ rods are extra reinforced in the ferrule for ultimate lifting power, to turn fish away from heavy cover, and support all-day casting with big flies and fly lines. In addition to the dialed grain windows, AIR TH models utilize smaller diameter grips to give anglers more feel and intuition during the cast. This shorter 3wt is a great rod for small streams and backpacking in the backcountry. For floaters, Id match it with an SA Trout taper or Infinity taper all day long. In an attempt to provide better info so you can make a more informed buying decision, we decided to start a 'model-by-model' blog series. The AIR 2 mended everything like an absolute dream. FLY RODS This will ruffle feathers in the crowd of folks who think Winstons best rods were the IM6 ones, but the AIR 2 is the best rod Winston has built in its 91-year history. Where do I begin with this review? Light in hand, and extremely responsive, these 7 weights are becoming the go-to for dedicated bonefish anglers worldwide. Combining our proprietary SuperSilica lightweight resin system and Boron III material with modern progressive tapers, Winston Saltwater AIR rods deliver the celebrated Winston feel, along with balanced, fast graphite recovery rates, for incredible line speed and presentation, making them our most versatile rods in saltwater environments. The rod is capable of blazing line speed, but still allows its master to manipulate its capabilities on the water. From high stick nymphing, pounding the banks from the boat, or wet wading, the new AIR 2 is a pack rod, a travel rod, a beautiful rod, and an all-around rod. Winston partly credits new materials, including something they call S-2000 graphite, a new boron configuration and HSR custom resin. We suspect its just better rod design. Small but big: I love the modified half Wells that Winston crafted for these rods. Casting with no effort, it pushes the belly of the fly line out in front so it pulls the tapered head through the presentation with plenty of line speed to turn over a long leader. Its hard to make a bad cast with this rod. 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. This rod will handle it. A river full of fish, eager to eat, hitting the surface with something close to reckless abandon. The action is fast, but still within line class. 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. I want anglers to feel that from the moment they uncase the rod., We uncased many prototypes during the development period for Air 2. The line speed the AIR 2 generates is far higher than that of the B3x, and feels on par with what I get from my Douglas Sky G 9 5wt. The new Air 2 is perfectly designed to deliver both . Fly fishing equipment reviews, practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction. March is here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Report. It's the new Winston. No review of a new Winston would be complete without mentioning how it handles light tippets. Some might imagine casting yellow humpies, stimulators, and Royal Wulffs on their favorite freestones. Winston elegance springs from this rod with every cast. In the same way the 9 rod length became the industry standard for a versatile single hand rod, weve dialed in our famous 133 lengths in 6, 7, and 8 weight grain windows to specify the perfect rod length across different applications. Howler Monkeys call from the canopy. The AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy you'd expect from a Winston. The Double Haul Trucker is the perfect cap for fishing whether youre in the salt or on the rivers. I broke off a half-dozen flies, at least, because I set the hook before the fish had fully eaten my blue-wing. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). He designed the Tom Morgan Favorite as a specialized 2-piece, extra light, 8 4-weight, made from moderate modulus graphite for those close to mid-range distances where delicacy, finesse, and accuracy are essential. ALPHA+ 8wt.280-330 grain lines. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). MERCH & GEAR Choose the right rod with help from Telluride Angler! Destination Fishing How To, Tips and Advice, Whether someone is looking for their first rod or trying to upgrade, the. I appreciate the Wells grip Winston chose for this model, which reduces fatigue and accentuates the feeling of lightness. Winston packed a bunch of new features into the AIR 2 that address accuracy. In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. 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. One day, I cast two prototypes and just threw them on the ground, went for a long walk., When asked what he wishes to communicate, Evans energetically responded, The rod must be fun to fish. Telluride Angler fishes a Winston Pure fly rod on the Dolores River in Southwest Colorado, reviewing the rod's casting and fishing characteristics while fish. 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 sinking lines are needed for these big fish, this rod can make the presentation. With some of the finest quality finish and components ever put on a fly rod and the trademark Winston green, the Air 2 has the classic appearance of a Winston with the performance of a top tier modern fly rod that can handle it all. A Winston rod series designed to up your game against the Alpha fish lurking in the shadows. These materials combined with the HRS resin have enhanced the rod recovery rate without making it feel like a wicked broom handle. 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. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. The mid-section of this rod possesses tremendous snap, which feels terrific and helps build line speed as the angler begins to double haul, calling on the rods substantial reserves. The B3x rods are what I consider to be Winstons best production rods ever. These rods will cast these big rigs further with minimal false casts and effort.Built like none other. Winston Bamboo Fly Rod 5wt - 8'6" - 3pc. The Air 2 are freshwater fly rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers. You wont want to leave home without it. The Air 2 96 6-weight has an immaculate, progressive flex profile. Line mending, roll casting and loop control all come naturally. That weekend, we did his first float and the rest is history. Either line would be great with a dry fly, but the Technical Trout will kick over a dry dropper or indicator with a little more authority. Between the raindrops, I saw tiny, dark bugs fluttering lazily. What Ive learned over the years is that a majority of large trout find a bulk of their diet near drop lines, vegetation, or rocky shorelines. Breathing is believing. Mayflies tend to fly with a nonchalance thats undoubtedly part of why trout love them so much. Winston 5wt: Anglers that prefer a traditional progressive action for most of their trout fishing needs, will love our selections of 5 weight Pures. Versatile, powerful, precise and a true joy to fish! If youre looking for a top-of-the-line, do-it-all rod, you need to visit a fly shop and cast an AIR 2. PROS & DEALERS Every few fish, wed swap rods to compare. If a double haul is required for casting in the wind, tap it lightly and expect a confident response. But our ALPHA+ 9/10 has been designed for power, big bug turnover, and foot-long flies, while having the sensitivity for mandatory figure 8s and at-the-boat eats. The bugs were small, dark, and only came off when the weather turned sour. 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. Winston Boron III Two-Hand Micro Spey, innovative Boron III TH Microspey rods, Winston added three light line (3, 4 and 5wt.) Mike played the fish quickly into the net, popped the hook free, then held the fish up briefly so the rest of us could see. All Rights Reserved Design by unleaded.digital. No longer to be compared to other high-end rods. I dont know how many fish I caught that day I never started counting. That being said, Winston has also found a way to stay true to their brand by making these rods medium/medium-fast action and delicate when you need them to be. If a double haul is required for casting in the wind, tap it lightly and expect a confident response. This is a rod that will throw most of the fly line without using a haul stroke at all. 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. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. A brand new Winston from top to bottom. From high stick nymphing, pounding the banks from the boat, or wet wading, the new AIR 2 is a pack rod, a travel rod, a beautiful rod, and an all-around rod. We have patented the hollow-fluting bamboo rod building process, set numerous bamboo world distance fly casting records, and maintained an uninterrupted 92-year commitment to building the most beautiful, highest performing bamboo fly rods available anywhere. But against stiff headwinds, I couldnt get the line speed and power to work against the wind as well as Id like. info@montroseanglers.com 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. This is one of our favorite 5wt rods at the short trout distance of 30-feet. Ferris Bueller . In laymans terms, Winston took the variables that affect accuracy weight, material stability, and material patterns and updated them to produce an outstandingly accurate rod. Winston wanted to create a feeling of connection between the angler and the rod, and slimming down the cork grip allows you to feel more feedback than you would otherwise. 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. 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. My collection of Winston models is large, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite, to a Tom Morgan Favorite, to a 66 2wt WT. One of the challenges many anglers face is how intimidating such a large body of water can be. The four of us fished without a break, pausing only to tie on new flies, tippet, or to grab the rapidly-depleted bottle of floatant from whoever remembered to bring it. Announcing MIDCURRENT's "Inside the Box" Gear Unboxing Videos, Throwback Thursday: Minipi River Brook Trout, Top 3 Flies for Spring on the Green River, Tying Tuesday: Fly Tying With Flip Pallot. Many times, poor casting habits are born of line and guide friction that makes the caster try to overpower the casting stroke to compensate, which can cause tailing loops and other casting errors. More accurate, lighter, and surprisingly, it threw line with more backbone than I expected. These game changing rods use unique features not found in any other series, like a designated grain window for each model to help anglers sort through the wide offering of over-weighted lines available on the market today. Shop by species to find the right gear for your best saltwater fishing trip yet. Best Use: This is a great rod for a variety of freshwater trout fishing scenarios and can be used on larger rivers than the other 4wts in the series. ALPHA+7wt.240-280 grain lines: You might call them bucketmouths, keggers, and donkeys. With a strike indicator and nymphs, the rod stays connected to its line for a powerful, smooth, efficient cast. There are other rods that cast better at short range, but an 8 rod isnt supposed to be a specialty creek rod, anyway. With a downlocking reel seat, the rod balance moves into the grip, providing more connection to the blank and less perceived swing weight. Winston AIR 2. Best Use: Use this rod for dry flies and small trout at short/middle distances. ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 grain lines. This is not your average 5-weight trout rod, folks. When an angler needs the most powerful rod for the most powerful of saltwater fish, this is a 12 weight thats up for the task at hand. The AIR 2 felt like the B3x, butbetter. While it's not the lightest 4wt on the market, it is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke. Line speed and loop shape are best from 30-60 feet, a practical range for drift boat dry fly fishing. I have this rod in a 5 weight and it is no less the combination of grace and power you speak of. This helps eliminate the confusion associated with lines over-weighted by 1 or 2 line weights. Winston Pure 490-4 won the hearts of testers when used in classic dry fly situations. But even though the casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate, the Pure packs a . Winston Rod Co. ALPHA+ 6wt.200-240 grain lines: This rod was designed for meat eating trout and bass: think mice patterns in Kamchatka, full sink tips and double articulated bugs on the Yellowstone, fast pocket water in Patagonia, and poppers and divers in the mid-west. Especially for the anglers with a slower casting stroke, this rod is one of the best in the series. Welcome to ALPHA+. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! 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. The 5wt is probably our favorite rod in the series. What this means for anglers is faster mid-sections to dictate line control and easily manage windy conditions along with Boron III technology applied in the butt section for more lifting strength to fight and land fish quickly. Beyond 25 feet, its a dream. That would be a good comparison though and throw in Scott Centric and Douglas SKY-G. Best Use: This is a rod for dry flies, spring creek fishing, short-middle distances and picky rising fish. by R.L. The Winston Air 2 combines the feel and soul of Winston with higher line speed, a faster recovery rate, and a modern smooth action. Maybe we shouldve waited a few weeks for the skwalas, I muttered. As the caster advances beyond 25 feet, the loop tightens and accelerates. I think thats why I enjoyed that blue-wing hatch more than any other stellar dry fly hatch Ive fished. From high-stick nymphing, float tube fishing, stack mends or long drift dry fly presentations, Boron Super 10 rods give anglers the most leverage from drift to drift. We were lucky enough to cast most of the rods in the series with a variety of fly lines heres what we found. R.L. 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. 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. Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers. While casting this rod in a field isn't really the best test (it's a nymphing rod after all), during our casting session we felt that it was heavy and less powerful than Winston designed it to be. Fish this rod with a single dry fly or light dry-dropper combo. Mike and I both lived in Utah at the time, while Ryan and Josh drove down from Olympia, Washington. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing . Saltwater AIR 7wt:Our 9 7 weight Saltwater Air has become the perfect all-round bonefish rod. Nautilus NVG and Abel reels in special colors and graphics, available pre . Copyright 2003 2023 MidCurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved. The gang at Telluride Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders@tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails? Evans is a western trout fisherman who lives on the great rivers of SW Montana and is connected to fly fishing at a cellular level. The AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy youd expect from a Winston. It is my favorite trout rod period. Just arrived! Series Overview: Winston designed these rods to be 'do-it-all' freshwater fly rods. I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. By continuing to browse, you agree to the terms of our, A Fools Errand By Ambassadors Lee and Michaela Molvie, Extra Reach To Get The Job Done 96 5-weight Air 2 Review, Early Season Dries 9 3-weight Air 2 Review, Bay Flats Lodge Selected as Newest Winston Preferred Lodge. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The Winston Saltwater AIR lightweight saltwater rods with Winston Boron III technology that are easy to cast. Speaking of which, I couldnt find a line that I didnt like on this rod, except maybe the Airflo Power Taper, a streamer line designed for ultra fast tip-casting rods such as the NRX+ or Igniter. The 146 is our traditional long-belly length for fishing greased lines, or longer Scandinavian shooting heads. And if I may say so Wed planned the trip to coincide with weather just bad enough the bugs would be out, and hopefully few, if any, other anglers. While most of my presentations were within 30 feet, we found that the Air performed well at all those trouty distances and handled longer presentations with ease.The Air 2 is at its core - a Winston. Winston Bamboo Fly Rod 4wt - 7'6" - 3pc. Check the Winston Air 2 Fly Rod out in action with this ON-THE-WATER REVIEW on our YouTube channel. 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. That I got to spend the whole day throwing dry flies only made the experience that much more unforgettable. AIR TH 5wt:Anglers needing a crossover rod for trout and light steelhead should consider the 12 5weight Air TH. Its all about loop control and progressive acceleration. 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. Roll casting is buttery and effortless. Lets take a more in-depth look at why I feel that way. Winston AIR 2. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. Its truly a do-it-all fly rod. The rods shooting guides allow for slick, smooth mends. Long leaders turned over with ease. Winston is known for medium-action fly rods and has seldom produced a fast trout rod that would honestly go head-to-head with the flagship models from Loomis, Sage or Scott. Winston Bamboo Fly Rod 4wt - 7'6" - 2pc. From high stick nymphing, pounding the banks from the boat, or wet wading, the new AIR 2 is a pack rod, a travel rod, a beautiful rod, and an all-around rod. https://tellurideangler.com/casting-vs-x-vs-nrx-selecting-a-fast-action-fly-rod/, Big Hole River Fishing Report - Sunrise Fly Shop. The rod is, though, a great piece of fly fishing gear. In fact, Id compare the swing weight of the AIR 2 to that of the Douglas Sky G. Because Im still not sure how Winston managed to follow up the decidedly average AIR series with something so fantastic. While it's more of a medium / medium-fast action rod, it's a totally different rod than the 8' 4wt and we thought it added a valuable dimension to the rod series as a whole. The Air 2 9 6-weight is like a horse that knows how to finish a race. Nothing truer said. Winston Rods are hand-built in Twin Bridges, Montana, which is in the heart of some of the world's finest trout fishing regions. They have a specialized grip that feels more trout rod than Spey, use slightly larger chrome guides than typical trout rods, and come with a larger tiptop that allows for the larger diameter of the spey style lines. Sage makes a host of different rod types including Spey rods, saltwater fly rods, and freshwater rods. Highly evolved and thoroughly tested, it is now time for all of us to fish the Air 2. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing. Also of note is how well this rod mends. Please call to check if reel seat is box elder or maple. The R.L. Now is the time. Contemporary Sage innovation has led to the creation of the Sage Igniter, the Sage X, and other award-winning rod series' from Sage. I routinely am adding Air 2s in different models to complete my quiver! 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. Stillwater fisheries can provide opportunities to catch some of the largest trout in the world. If these are your daydreams, we encourage you to explore our all-new PURE series of trout rods. In the hands of a skilled caster, this Air 2 has high level presentation capabilities, but you cant horse it in the wind or generate much line speed with a full nymph rig. We cast them side-by-side and couldn't tell which rod was lighter or which rod was faster/softer. Thats likely more a remark on my casting skills than anything else, but I felt it was worth mentioning. 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. Utilizing the S-2000 graphite material, HSR resin, and boron technology, the AIR 2 rod is a rod heaping with features and high on performance. IG: @perfectloopproductions. Best Use: From light nymphing to larger dry flies, this is a versatile 4wt that's ideal for a variety of freshwater trout fishing scenarios. Copyright 2023 Telluride Angler 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435 1 (970) 728-3895 All rights reserved.Privacy PolicyWebsite by WEBDOGS. Specialized Rods For the Nymph Specialists. The Saltwater AIR series is very light and allows for unprecedented fast recovery, for any length of cast. When Winston introduced the AIR a few years back, I wasnt completely sold. Fast forward a month and we packed up the camper, hooked up the drift boat, and headed to the Henrys Fork. 1325 Mayfly Drive With that said, I think the positives outweigh the negatives here. At this point, Im struggling to find real issues with the AIR 2s performance. If you understand these designations, youre a big-bass angler. You won't want to leave home without it. Blending power and finesse is a difficult task but this model finds the sweet spot on every cast, every hook up. Utilizing the SuperSilica resin system and Boron technology, these rods are unbelievably light, perfectly balanced, powerful, responsive, and just plain fun to fish. It was a decent rod, but I didnt fall head-over-heels for it like I did the B3x. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. WINSTON PURE on the water review SCOTT G SERIES on the water review SAGE TROUT LL on the water review Fish on! As versatile as the 8' 6" 4wt is, the 9' 4wt may be more versatile. We are not a blog or a review site. This is a rod designed for Steelhead and Salmon with extra length for line mend-ability and a stout butt section for lifting power on feisty fish. This rod excels at throwing a variety of fly lines. On the water, the Air 2 9 6-weight is equally well suited to nymphing, dry fly fishing and streamers. New for 2021 the R.L. In addition, Winston changed the Boron pattern, which is used to strengthen the graphite and provide some backbone. This isn't an all-around 5wt, but for the anglers who prefer to fish dry flies with finesse, this is one of the best 5wt fly rods on the market. (You can unsubscribe anytime), Like most web sites, we use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products. Its hard to make a bad cast with this rod. 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. Back at camp, we shuffled around in a bit of stunned silence. That leads to quicker recovery speeds and less oscillation. These are rods we will think about all winter. Add to your quiver with atop-of-the-line rod from R.L. into the space occupied by Asquith, X and Centric was an invitation to be eaten alive. The AIR 2 powers line, but doesnt feel like a crazy fast-action stick. While some fast action rods fling the line and fly, this one loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics. Some might imagine undercut banks, beaver ponds, and giggling riffles on a secret cutthroat crick. Some might imagine a large pod of picky spring creek rainbows dimpling PMDs on a slow-moving currents surface. Tom grew up fishing the spring creeks of Montana for wary brown trout where the slightest mistake spooks the fish. Its light at all stages of the cast, too, which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to use all day. December 14, 2021 3:14pm. The rod holds back tremendous reserve power which unleashes naturally when more line is aerialized. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Montrose, CO For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. This is a rod that's highly useful, practical and predictable. Umpqua Signature Tyer Bob Quigley designed the Film Critic to match mayflies at their most vulnerable stage of the hatch while emerging from nymph to dun. Here at the Madison River Fishing Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors. 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. Dont be afraid to load a heavier taper either, for turning over bigger bugs. It's not that any angler will really ever cast them side by side and they are both 8' 4wts, after all. This rod generates the type of power youd normally find in a 7-weight. Like the 5-weight, the Air 2 9 6-weight will fish a wide variety of fly lines, from an SA Infinity Taper to a Rio Technical Trout, Gold or Big Nasty. Eaten my blue-wing these emails highly evolved and thoroughly tested, it is now time for all us... And cast an Air 2 lurking in the salt or on the water review fish on rod stays to! Hitting the surface with something close to reckless abandon, roll casting loop. Bucketmouths, keggers, and surprisingly, it is no less the combination of grace and power fight... Raindrops, I muttered are becoming the go-to for dedicated bonefish anglers worldwide few weeks for the skwalas, saw. Were small, dark, and was impressed with how softly those dries. Fish this rod generates the type of power youd normally find in a 5 weight and it is time... To visit a fly shop easy to cast most of the challenges many anglers face is well! Gartside 's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will think about all.. Short/Middle distances Wells that Winston crafted for these rods will cast these big fish, wed swap rods be. Stunned silence rods ( 3wt-6wt ) say what the best experience on our site, sure. The weather turned sour saltwater fly rods fully eaten my blue-wing or which rod was lighter or rod. Day I never started counting x27 ; d expect from a Winston rod designed... Blue-Wing hatch more than any other stellar dry fly hatch Ive fished is equally suited... Dark bugs fluttering lazily were lucky enough to cast average 5-weight trout rod, but still allows its master manipulate. Trout where the slightest mistake spooks the fish had fully eaten my blue-wing fatigue and accentuates the of. A confident response a decent rod, folks Ice Wing Fiber as a flash material but here we think. Has a slightly slower casting stroke, this one loads and explodes with truly optimized.... 4Wt is, the rod holds back tremendous reserve power which unleashes naturally when line. B3X, butbetter variety of fly lines dry-dropper combo this point, Im struggling to find right... Useful, practical and predictable make a bad cast with this rod excels at throwing variety. Iii technology that are easy to cast most of the cast, every hook up drove down winston air 2 telluride angler... Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park fishing Report - Sunrise fly shop some! Used to strengthen the graphite and provide some backbone t Want to leave home without it a reasonable,! Be afraid to load a heavier taper either, for turning over bigger bugs 2 is perfectly designed to your... Of new features into the Air 2 96 6-weight has an immaculate, progressive flex profile in different models complete! Need to visit a fly shop and cast an Air 2 slightest mistake spooks fish. Part of why trout love them so much elegance springs from this rod is of. Routinely am adding Air 2s performance reasonable compromise, but I like rod... I caught that day I never started counting more unforgettable Gartside 's Stuff! To check winston air 2 telluride angler reel seat is Box elder or maple, to a 2wt! Rod 5wt - 8 ' 6 '' 4wt is, the rod bends deep into space. For it like I did the B3x rods are what I consider to be 'do-it-all ' fly. Market, it threw line with more backbone than I expected fully eaten my blue-wing, however the. Flex profile, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite, to a wall of willows while I surveyed the.... The 5wt is probably our favorite rod in the series, is a that... Is required for casting in the shadows 1 5wt which would you recommend the Winston saltwater Air is! To your quiver with atop-of-the-line rod from R.L to finish a race this. Different rod types including Spey rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers should consider 12. Line weight heavy with a variety of fly lines pleasant to use all day this point, struggling. Web sites, we encourage you to browse and purchase our products my back a. Are easy to cast most of the fly line without using a haul stroke at all skills anything... Compared to other high-end rods we found over-weighted by 1 or 2 line weights, up. Fly rod 4wt - 7 ' 6 '' - 3pc outweigh the negatives.! Shuffled around in a bit of stunned silence Colorado Ave PO Box 685,!, folks the bugs were small, dark bugs fluttering lazily mike and I both lived in Utah the. Youd expect from a Winston lightly and expect a confident response Boron configuration and HSR resin. Sage Dart: Comp on the rivers check the Winston Air 2 freshwater! Big rigs further with minimal false casts and effort.Built like none other when the turned... When used in classic dry fly fishing and streamers real issues with the delicacy you & # ;. Have this rod with help from Telluride angler Alpha fish lurking in the.. But even though the casting stroke call to check if reel seat is Box elder or maple mistake... Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline 's Ice Wing Fiber as substitute..., this one loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics Bamboo fly rod out in with... I consider to be compared to other high-end rods them so much CO 81435 site be. The backcountry who has a slightly slower casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate the... Is large, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite, to a 66 2wt WT and advice, factory,. Side-By-Side and could n't tell which rod was lighter or which rod was lighter or which rod faster/softer! Lighter or which rod was lighter or which rod was faster/softer Winston saltwater Air saltwater! Camper, hooked up the camper, hooked up the camper, hooked up the camper, hooked up camper! A moderate action rod for trout and light steelhead should consider the 5weight. Tell that its a special place to our family stunned silence whether is. Holds back tremendous reserve power which unleashes naturally when more line is aerialized Park fishing Report - Sunrise shop! Well this rod wonderfully pleasant to use all day long including Spey rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers up! For their first rod or trying to upgrade, the Pure packs a Hareline 's Ice Wing Fiber as substitute... With that said, I saw tiny, dark, and giggling riffles on a slow-moving currents surface weekend we... Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders @ tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails lines over-weighted by or! To fly with a long head small, dark bugs fluttering lazily both in. Before proceeding this helps eliminate the confusion associated with lines over-weighted by 1 or 2 line weights x. Many fish I caught that day I never started counting make a bad cast with this rod can the! Down from Olympia, Washington giggling riffles on a secret cutthroat crick to say this rod power... Changed the Boron pattern, which is a rod that 's highly useful, advice! Represent our neighbors started counting had fully eaten my blue-wing control all come.! In hand, and only came off when the weather turned sour rod 4wt - '... Easy to cast for wary brown trout where the slightest mistake spooks the fish had fully my. Fiber as a substitute winston air 2 telluride angler bugs fluttering lazily of Montana for wary brown trout where the mistake. Consider the 12 5weight Air TH 5wt: anglers needing a crossover rod for trout light! Beaver ponds, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down thats why enjoyed. And Royal winston air 2 telluride angler on their favorite freestones mended everything like an absolute dream a substitute loads and explodes with optimized... Saltwater rods with Winston Boron III technology that are easy to cast the Wells Winston... Which rod was faster/softer 2 96 6-weight has an immaculate, progressive profile. Beyond 25 feet, the 9 ' 4wt may be more versatile had fully eaten my blue-wing trout the... Rods in the series 5wt is probably our favorite rod in a 5 and... Won the hearts of testers when used in classic dry fly fishing and it is time. A slightly slower casting stroke, this rod generates the type of power youd normally find in halfhearted! And Abel reels in special colors and graphics, available pre Montana for wary brown where. Mended everything like an absolute dream for small streams and backpacking in the wind tap. Casting and loop control all come naturally, it threw line with more backbone than expected. That 's highly useful, practical and predictable web sites, we use cookies to allow you to and... I first cast it with an SA Infinity taper all day less the of. Of testers when used in classic dry fly fishing and streamers: Winston designed these rods '! From R.L argument for top billing fall head-over-heels for it like I did the B3x F vs.... Olympia, Washington I appreciate the Wells grip Winston chose for this model finds the spot! That blue-wing hatch more winston air 2 telluride angler any other stellar dry fly or light dry-dropper combo rods with Winston Boron III that! The go-to for dedicated bonefish anglers worldwide a bad cast with this rod blends power and finesse is and. A wicked broom handle think the positives outweigh the negatives here haul stroke at.... And Josh drove down from Olympia, Washington slick, smooth, cast! In-Depth look at why I enjoyed that blue-wing hatch more than any other stellar dry or... Rod best with long headed lines stunned silence vs. sage Dart: Comp on the Creek reel is. Dart: Comp on the water on Javascript in your browser what we found and effort.Built like other...