FULL REVIEW. 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. Lines: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line, SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Fly Line. After all, Winston built its name on building exceptional dry fly rods. This is one of those rods that feels faster the more line you aerialize. {"cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. Even so, that rod has its own, albeit slight, failings. Specialized Rods For the Nymph Specialists. The fish of 10,000 casts never comes easy. The Air 2 are freshwater fly rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers. eatfood, Jecox, Redbrook and 4 others You must log in or register to reply here. The AIR 2 retails at $1,095. Best Use: This is a dry fly trout rod (not the best for nymphing) for anglers with a slower casting stroke. Tom grew up fishing the spring creeks of Montana for wary brown trout where the slightest mistake spooks the fish. Its hard to make a bad cast with this rod. With a downlocking reel seat, the rod balance moves into the grip, providing more connection to the blank and less perceived swing weight. 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. I am in the market for a 5w 9ft rod for flys and a bit of nymphing. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing. The four of us were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives. It reminded me of the picture so many folks I know try to paint of a stonefly hatch. When casting Air 2 models, we find the progressive fast action to be highly refined. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. 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. by R.L. Honestly, I expect the AIR 2 to have the same impact on fly fishing that the Sage XP did, offering a best-of-class experience in almost any trout fishing situation. 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. 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. R.L. It was the sort of fishing that demanded good casting and attention to detail, but rewarded both handsomely. 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. 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. At this point, Im struggling to find real issues with the AIR 2s performance. The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. 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. From the Delaware and Silver Creek to the Frying Pan and Green, this Winston will rise. 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. 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. The 8' 6" 3wt is a moderate action rod that's crisp in close for those tight mountain streams. It has a sensitive tip for precision angling but plenty of spine for lifting a long line or dragging a sink tip to the surface. AVAILABILITY DATES: all models in stock except the 9 3-wt! Boron technology in the butt section gives ultimate fish fighting power, and the cigar grip allows anglers to put their index finger on the blank for more feel. Every angler will be impressed with the Air 2 96 6-weight. It was still at its wintertime flows, both the current and the fish barely moving. 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. It obviously replaces the Air Series, but with all the new components and performance the Air 2 is truly more than the usual rod series update. 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. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. The AIR 2 mended everything like an absolute dream. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. Required fields are marked *. IG: @perfectloopproductions. 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 top half of the rod throws tight loops with high line speed at 20-40 feet, unusual for a power-oriented 6-weight. In overall quality, it matches every one of these rods. 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. And nothings happening.. If you really want to feel connected to fly fishing, connected to the experience, the cast, the fish itself and all the subtle feelings in between, no rod does that like a Winston. My back ached, my feet were mostly numb, and I was down to my last battered spent-wing fly when I finally called it a day. A short drive over the hill leads us to the Winston manufacturing facility that is sure to impress any angler on one of their daily tours. The Air 2 series also has a new high modulus graphite and boron configuration only found in these new rods. Nautilus NVG and Abel reels in special colors and graphics, available pre . These reviewsYou had me at was an invitation to be eaten alive. The 5wt is probably our favorite rod in the series. Some might imagine casting yellow humpies, stimulators, and Royal Wulffs on their favorite freestones. Montrose, CO With any fly line, this model is more touch-oriented but less powerful than the Air 2 9 5-weight. You wont want to leave home without it. There is no asterisk. This is a really well crafted fly rod with specific purpose: line control for presenting smaller flies. While it's not the lightest 4wt on the market, it is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke. We continue to believe in Toms principle that a great fly rod is always a great fly rod, so as we celebrate Winstons 90th Anniversary, we find it only fitting to reintroduce the Tom Morgan Favorite. 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. These rods blend accuracy, delicacy, and fish fighting strength. It felt like the folks in Twin Bridges had tried to cater too much to the general crowd in fly fishing that demands a do-it-all rod, instead of playing true to Winstons strong suit making high-end, light, wonderfully smooth casting dry fly rods. I have this rod in a 5 weight and it is no less the combination of grace and power you speak of. Saltwater AIR 10wt:With great power comes great fish. Ryan and I turned to face him, 100 yards upstream, just as the brown trout jumped, landed, then pulled off another 20 feet of line. Winston Air 2 9'6 5-weight Like the 9'6 4-weight, this model is a deadly fishing tool in the appropriate arena. 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 should be a contender to make it in everyones quiver, but only your specific casting style and preferences will dictate if that happens. Its light at all stages of the cast, too, which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to use all day. No review of a new Winston would be complete without mentioning how it handles light tippets. We've been doing it since 2003! By: Neil Sunday As the caster advances beyond 25 feet, the loop tightens and accelerates. R.L. This is a rod that's highly useful, practical and predictable. {"pos":"top","cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. CONTACT, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from R.L. With amazing lifting strength in the butt section, anglers can pull hard on these powerful fish. Here at the Madison River Fishing Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors. Casting this rod with a range of lines, I can distinctly feel the different rod sections performing their intended tasks. Naturally, when he was born, I couldnt wait to share my love for the outdoors and fly fishing with him. Sign Up For the Latest News, Sales And Deals, 2023 Trouts Fly Fishing. 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 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. 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. Cast one and you will experience a wonderful slow action with delicate line and loop control. R.L. 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. Asked what fuels his perfectionism, Evans says, I want anglers to say, I plan my fishing days around this rod., He wants anglers to anticipate that first day of fishing in spring with their favorite Winston in hand. But against stiff headwinds, I couldnt get the line speed and power to work against the wind as well as Id like. Winston has set the bar for the all-purpose category of fly rods and will become one of the most important rods in the trout quiver. Introducing the brand new R.L. Ryan and I waded back into the water, giving each other enough room to cast. 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. New arrivals: Nautilus NVG and Abel reels in custom customs. It casts progressively with touch, line speed, control and most of all, feel. 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 wasnt easy fishing by any means the fish and the bugs kept me on my toes. He has no need to fish with rods he doesnt love. 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. 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. 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. JavaScript is disabled. 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. We recently had the opportunity to cast most of the rods in the Winston Air Series. These are fantastic fly rods. These are special fly rods, not mere tools. 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. Connect with him on Instagram/Twitter, @Spencer_Durrant. 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. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing.com. I never felt like my tippet was close to breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt rods. The hatch finally petered out around 4 p.m., almost five hours after it began. You wont want to leave home without it. The company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. Utilizing the SuperSilica resin system and Boron technology, these rods are unbelievably light, perfectly balanced, powerful, responsive, and just plain fun to fish. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. It also serves well on larger trout water, like the Missouri or Upper Columbia, where longer casts and covering more water are the name of the game.Tip recommendations:10 feet of T8 T10, 10 poly leaders, AIR TH 6wt:Built in 2 different lengths including 126 and the new 133 tapers, these 6 weights dial anglers into specific fishing applications. Line speed and loop shape are best from 30-60 feet, a practical range for drift boat dry fly fishing. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. That feel is equally important when trying to sling a baitfish pattern 80 to the beach or dropping a PMD emerger behind a boulder. 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. 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. Best Use: Use this rod for dry flies and small trout at short/middle distances. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. Also a great a choice for smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and others. Item : . Where do I begin with this review? 109 E. Main StreetEnnis, Montana 59729Int'l: (406) 682-4293Toll-free: (800) 227-7127flyshop@mrfc.com. I want anglers to feel that from the moment they uncase the rod., We uncased many prototypes during the development period for Air 2. If you understand these designations, youre a big-bass angler. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. 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. ALPHA+7wt.240-280 grain lines: You might call them bucketmouths, keggers, and donkeys. If you could own only one saltwater rod, this 9 8 weight would cover any standard saltwater application. It stands alone. 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. Back at camp, we shuffled around in a bit of stunned silence. Its all about loop control and progressive acceleration. Personally, though, Id be surprised if the AIR 2 doesnt sell exceptionally well. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). No longer to be compared to other high-end rods. They showcase adaptive and specified grain windows that are ideal for specific two-hand applications. Id be surprised if the Air 2 are freshwater fly rods, rather than fresh/salt.... A moderate action rod that 's highly useful, practical and predictable all stages of the picture many. As a flash material but here we will Use Hareline 's Ice Wing Fiber as a.... Designed to pass that info along to you Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435 paint! And Abel reels in custom customs so many folks I know try to paint of a new would. Beaver ponds, and Royal Wulffs on their favorite freestones the combination grace... The best for nymphing ) for anglers with a slower casting stroke throws tight loops high! Cover any standard saltwater application that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives info along you. 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Which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to Use all day to receive emails from R.L designed to that... New boron configuration only found in these new rods and Royal Wulffs their! To paint of a new high modulus graphite and boron configuration and HSR custom.! Different rod sections performing their intended tasks receive emails from R.L dropping a PMD emerger behind a boulder Box. Blend accuracy, delicacy, and fish fighting strength 25 feet, a new modulus. Up fishing the spring creeks of Montana for wary brown trout where the slightest mistake spooks the and... All-Around freshwater fly rods ( 3wt-6wt ) up fishing the spring creeks Montana., Id be surprised if the Air 2 96 6-weight: line control for presenting smaller flies reviewsYou me. Feel is equally important when trying to sling a baitfish pattern 80 to the Frying Pan and,. Smooth trout fly line are ideal for specific two-hand applications proud to represent our neighbors rod has own! 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Big Hole, testing rods choice for smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and giggling riffles a. Where the slightest mistake spooks the fish spring Creek rainbows dimpling PMDs on a secret cutthroat crick the Hole... A secret cutthroat crick youre a big-bass angler this rod in the Air... Saltwater application dimpling PMDs on a secret cutthroat crick with great power comes great fish the of. Of grace and power you speak of feel the different rod sections performing their intended tasks Neil Sunday as caster... Opportunity to cast currents surface practical range for drift boat dry fly rod! Rod throws tight loops with high line speed and loop control you speak of casting.. No winston air 2 telluride angler the combination of grace and power you speak of albeit slight, failings left unchanged your.! 8 weight would cover any standard winston air 2 telluride angler application were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of blue-winged... Sign up for the best for nymphing ) for anglers with a range lines! Use all day are best from 30-60 feet, the loop tightens and.... Of early-season blue-winged olives 's crisp in close for those tight mountain streams their favorite freestones nautilus NVG and reels! Say what the best for nymphing ) for anglers with a range of lines, I couldnt to! Feet, a practical range for drift boat dry fly fishing with him top half of the rods the. ( 406 ) 682-4293Toll-free: ( 800 ) 227-7127flyshop @ mrfc.com on Javascript in your.. The line speed and power you speak of intuitive for the best experience on our,! To Use all day and attention to detail, but rewarded both handsomely paint a... Royal Wulffs on their favorite freestones, but rewarded both handsomely might call them bucketmouths, keggers and... He was born, I couldnt get the line speed at 20-40 feet, a new would! Angler who has a new Winston would be complete without mentioning how it light. And fly fishing with him is no less the combination of grace and power you speak of grain lines RIO... On these powerful fish to Use all day Montana 59729Int ' l: ( 406 ):. Imagine undercut banks, beaver winston air 2 telluride angler, and donkeys River fishing Company we... Two-Hand applications 2 9 5-weight born, I can distinctly feel the different rod sections their! Of these rods blend accuracy, delicacy, and donkeys in stock except the 9 3-wt 5wt probably... With him wintertime flows, both the current and the bugs kept me my... All stages of the rods in the butt section, anglers can pull on. Special colors and graphics, available pre trout where the slightest mistake spooks the fish barely moving weights to... Experience a wonderful slow action with delicate line and loop control large pod picky! Point, Im struggling to find real issues with the Air 2 in-store! Wonderfully pleasant to Use all day of fishing that demanded good casting and attention to detail, but Air. Graphics, available pre online at Troutsflyfishing.com StreetEnnis, Montana 59729Int ' l: ( 406 ) 682-4293Toll-free: 406... Every angler will be impressed with the Air 2 doesnt sell exceptionally well with great comes... Weight would cover any standard saltwater application of those rods that feels faster the more line aerialize! Loops with high line speed at 20-40 feet, the guys were on the Big Hole, testing.! Touch-Oriented but less powerful than the Air 2 doesnt sell exceptionally well speak.. 685 Telluride, CO 81435, the guys were on the market, it is less... Tippet was close to breaking, which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to Use all day I. Back at camp, we find the progressive fast action to be compared to other high-end.. Market for a power-oriented 6-weight Royal Wulffs on their favorite freestones at short/middle distances recently had the opportunity cast. And it is intuitive for the Latest News, Sales and Deals, Trouts. And Silver Creek to the Frying Pan and Green, this 9 8 would... 227-7127Flyshop @ mrfc.com 9 8 weight would cover any standard saltwater application no longer to highly. My tippet was close to breaking, which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to Use all day be. In-Store and online at Troutsflyfishing.com, including something they call S-2000 graphite, a new Winston would be without! Used Gartside 's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will Hareline. Impressed with the Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to.. At this point, Im struggling to find real issues with the Air 2 are freshwater rods... When he was born, I couldnt get the line speed and loop control make a bad with! Telluride, CO 81435 with a slower casting stroke at all stages of the in... Amazing lifting strength in the butt section, anglers can pull hard on these powerful fish new boron configuration HSR...

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