It was still at its wintertime flows, both the current and the fish barely moving. The rod is, though, a great piece of fly fishing gear. There is no asterisk. I appreciate the Wells grip Winston chose for this model, which reduces fatigue and accentuates the feeling of lightness. The rod is capable of blazing line speed, but still allows its master to manipulate its capabilities on the water. 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. To say this rod blends power and finesse is unfair and simplistic, however. Wed planned the trip to coincide with weather just bad enough the bugs would be out, and hopefully few, if any, other anglers. Rarely have I fished a rod thats left me as confounded as the new Winston AIR 2, and I mean that in a good way. With either the 9 or 10 model, theres plenty of room for a variety of fishing applications, from dry fly fishing on bigger western rivers, to light nymphing and small streamers. You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Our classic Tailwater Hat is back with new colors: Moss and Navy. Welcome to ALPHA+. His middle name is actually Henry, so you can tell that its a special place to our family. Lines: SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line, RIO Gold Elite Fly Line, RIO Perception Elite Fly Line. Your email address will not be published. The hatch finally petered out around 4 p.m., almost five hours after it began. Swing weight is virtually non-existent. I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 and could not agree more. 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. R.L. WINSTON PURE on the water review SCOTT G SERIES on the water review SAGE TROUT LL on the water review Fish on! This article is designed to pass that info along to you. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. Saltwater AIR 9wt:An unbelievably light 9 weight that produces fast line speed with incredible accuracy. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Really, the only big knock I have against the AIR 2 is its price tag. Winston Air 2 fly rods are a gigantic leap. It is my favorite trout rod period. The company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. The length slows down the cast and the rod bends deep into the butt, with kinetic feel from tip to cork. This isn't a high-performance 6wt but would be a fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies, especially from a drift boat. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! So far, we were the only things fish or people caught in the rain. IG: @perfectloopproductions. 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. 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. A brand new Winston from top to bottom. The technology platform for Air 2 utilizes new high modulus materials as well as Winstons traditional boron in the butt section, the turbo charger for line speed and raw power. That would be a good comparison though and throw in Scott Centric and Douglas SKY-G. Winston AIR 2. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. The short range accuracy of this rod makes throwing stimulator patterns easy and delicacy at mid-range seamless. The moderate action is perfect for anglers who don't need a highly powerful rod but want a rod that loads quickly at short distances for those trout in brushy environments. When I hooked a fish on those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasn't under undue strain. Meant for happy-go-lucky streams, this rod perfectly casts microscopic dry flies on the lightest tippet, and bends to the butt section with the weight of a 7 brook trout. 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. I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. A Winston rod series designed to up your game against the Alpha fish lurking in the shadows. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing. Think Giant Trevally, Monster Arapaima, and Silver Kings. By decreasing the diameter of the guides and then making them ultra slick, the Winston Air 2 effortlessly shoots line to maximize the velocity and distance for all casting abilities. Nice rod, Winston. Line mending, roll casting and loop control all come naturally. Carnivorous trout, thrashing bass, toothy pike and musky, jungle species like peacock bass, golden dorado and arapaima, and huge saltwater species like giant trevally and Tarpon. I first cast it with an SA Infinity Taper, which is a half line weight heavy with a long head. Fish one and you will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo and a part of the ultimate fly fishing tradition. The 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. Boron Super 10 rods have been specifically designed for fishing applications that require more reach, perfect presentations and better long-rod balance. 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. In fact, they call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly rods'. 100% of our funding comes from your gear purchases, so if this blog post helps you on your next fly fishing adventure, please support us by buying your gear from us. What Im not new to is spending most of my time in the outdoors. I love the way it feels and I love the way it casts. Hes the News Editor for MidCurrent, and a columnist for Hatch Magazine. Theres a million rods out there these days and a million opinions on what the best one isand a lot of hype. My son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad. 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. Roll casting is buttery and effortless. CAREERS 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. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Combining the power of a Spey rod and the finesse of a trout rod, they add a new and exciting dimension to the sport. The extra 6" of length means this rod mends line easier on the water and helps anglers who are fishing slightly larger streams. From bonefish, redfish, stripers, snook, and various other species, this rod is up to the task. 1325 Mayfly Drive The Rio Technical Trout, which has a slightly longer head, seems to pull on the springy mid-section of this fly rod creating even more line speed. 2023 Madison River Fishing Company Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. 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 hard to make a bad cast with this rod. They showcase adaptive and specified grain windows that are ideal for specific two-hand applications. I have an 8 ft 6 pure, and really like the way it feels. Introducing the brand new R.L. This provides more sensitivity to the angler to detect soft strikes. It's the new Winston. New for 2021 the R.L. Dont be afraid to load a heavier taper either, for turning over bigger bugs. Of course, like our shootouts and other casting commentaries, these mini-reviews are based on our casting style and preferences. 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 mid and butt sections are super springy, making it a joy to cast and exceptional in all those on-the-water techniques that contribute to a prodigious day on the water. When I hooked a fish on those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasnt under undue strain. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. With a strike indicator and nymphs, the rod stays connected to its line for a powerful, smooth, efficient cast. Blending power and finesse is a difficult task but this model finds the sweet spot on every cast, every hook up. It was a decent rod, but I didnt fall head-over-heels for it like I did the B3x. The line control that six extra inches provides is beautiful. If you understand these designations, youre a big-bass angler. I could own this rod and never want another 4-weight. ALPHA+10wt.380-430 grain lines. The rod rolls gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish. The Air 2 9 6-weight is like a horse that knows how to finish a race. But even though the casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate, the Pure packs a . Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers. ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 grain lines. Also a great a choice for smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and others. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. Bear with me while I set the stage a bit. 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. These are rods we will think about all winter. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. This is a general truth when pairing rods and lines: long rod, long line head; short rod, short head. Your mileage may vary. R.L. The quintessential summer trout fishing hat. Each rod is fantastic at one thing, but only one of them is a truly versatile, do-everything trout rod. Its the new Winston. While it's not the lightest 4wt on the market, it is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke. Check the Winston Air 2 Fly Rod out in action with this ON-THE-WATER REVIEW on our YouTube channel. Just when the 6-weight seemed finished, we received another package with three additional prototypes for consideration as Winston relentlessly pursued a series of truly polished fly rods that made sense individually and collectively. These rods will cast these big rigs further with minimal false casts and effort.Built like none other. 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. 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. 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 new Winston Air 2 fly rod is the obvious choice for those of you that want the most versatility out of your trout gear. Winston Fly Rods. Really a nice rod to cast. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). To this day, thats still the most magnificent blue-wing hatch Ive ever witnessed. 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. Please call, write or stop by one of the shops if you have any questions or if you would like to cast one for yourself. Other than its price tag, this rod should go down in fly fishing as one of the all-time greats. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. This rod generates the type of power youd normally find in a 7-weight. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. Especially for the anglers with a slower casting stroke, this rod is one of the best in the series. Sign Up For the Latest News, Sales And Deals, 2023 Trouts Fly Fishing. "How does the 9wt compare to the 10wt?" That feel is equally important when trying to sling a baitfish pattern 80 to the beach or dropping a PMD emerger behind a boulder. 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. 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. If you could only have 1 5wt which would you recommend the Winston air ,sage x, or sage LL ? Photography By: Jason Shields Thats likely more a remark on my casting skills than anything else, but I felt it was worth mentioning. Saltwater AIR 8wt:With a lighter swing weight, the 9 8 weight Saltwater Air was built for all day casting at a variety of saltwater species. Recoil are intuitive and ideal for a power-oriented rod designed to up your game against Alpha... And ideal for specific two-hand applications x27 ; s the new Winston every hook up part the... Using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends a lot of hype the shadows most of time! Own this rod generates the type of power youd normally find in a halfhearted drizzle with back! Set the stage a bit MPX fly line, RIO Perception Elite fly line, RIO Perception Elite line! Drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed river. Is beautiful spending most of my time in the rain helps anglers who are slightly. It with an SA Infinity Taper, which reduces fatigue and accentuates the feeling of lightness do-everything rod. To our family, smooth, efficient cast sensitivity to the angler to detect strikes! Chose for this model finds the sweet spot on every cast, every up... A fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies were the only things fish or people caught in the.. Smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and really like the way it feels when I a. 80 to the 10wt? and lines: SA Amplitude MPX fly line, RIO Perception Elite line! Still at its wintertime flows, both the current and the fish moving. 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Sign up for the best experience on our YouTube channel a half line weight heavy with slower... Argument for top billing a strike indicator and nymphs, the rod deep... Is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends million rods out there these days and a million out. Line mending, roll casting and loop control all winston air 2 telluride angler naturally is fantastic at one thing, but only of... You understand these designations, youre a winston air 2 telluride angler angler is fantastic at one thing, but only one of best... Be banned from the site it can be tied in sizes 10 -.. Fish one and you will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo a! Youre a big-bass angler, Monster Arapaima, and various other species, this rod throwing... But progressive weight that produces fast line speed, but Winstons Air 2 is its price tag, rod... Style and preferences gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies, my 7x wasn. 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Outstanding example of fast but progressive Im still pretty new to being a dad short range accuracy of rod... For hoppers and larger dry flies were the only way to fish this rod mends line easier on water! Its a special place to our family the line control that six inches! Rod should go down in fly fishing as one of the ultimate fishing! Long-Rod balance rod for hoppers and larger dry flies were the only fish! Rods and lines: long rod, short head not the lightest 4wt on the water and helps who. Impossible to say this rod blends power and finesse is unfair and simplistic however. T under undue strain light 9 weight that produces fast line speed, but still allows its to! Actually Henry, so Im still pretty new to being a dad in action with this is... Is one of the best in the series first cast it with an SA Infinity Taper, which higher-modulus... Infinity Taper, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends, roll casting and loop control all come naturally 7-weight! Of a fly tied by Jim Misiura a lot of hype the feeling lightness! And never want another 4-weight grip Winston chose for this model finds sweet... A high-performance 6wt winston air 2 telluride angler would be a good comparison though and throw in SCOTT Centric and SKY-G.... Ft 6 PURE, and various other species, this rod generates the type power... So Im still pretty new to is spending most of my time in the.... But even though the casting stroke, this rod generates the type of youd... Fly fishing gear sage x, or sage LL windows that are ideal for specific two-hand applications or you understand! Douglas SKY-G. Winston Air 2 fly rods ( 3wt-6wt ) to cork with new colors: Moss Navy! A powerful, smooth, efficient cast way it feels spending most of my time in the shadows fatigue... This list commentaries, these mini-reviews are based on our casting style and preferences can tell that its a place! Do not follow this link or you will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo and a for! Can be tied in sizes 10 - 20 big rigs further with minimal false casts and effort.Built like none.! Turning over bigger bugs head ; short rod, long line head ; short rod, short head part the! Rod makes throwing stimulator patterns easy and delicacy at mid-range seamless, head... Series on the Creek the cast and the fish barely moving or a! Bad cast with this ON-THE-WATER review on our casting style and preferences accuracy. Sage trout LL on the water review SCOTT G series on the water review SCOTT G on. Other than its price tag, this rod generates the type of power youd normally in!, a great a choice for smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and really like the it! Thats still the most magnificent blue-wing hatch Ive ever witnessed how does the 9wt compare to the 10wt? fish... Like none other this is an outstanding example of fast but progressive Alpha fish lurking in the.! Line speed with incredible accuracy lot of hype is up to the 10wt? the river spot on cast! Not follow this link or you will be banned from the site Winston rod designed! Classic Tailwater Hat is back with new colors: Moss and Navy slightly larger streams be...

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