With a strike indicator and nymphs, the rod stays connected to its line for a powerful, smooth, efficient cast. Just arrived! It was a rare moment of angling nirvana, where you could thoroughly lose yourself in the machinations of the natural world. The B3x rods are what I consider to be Winstons best production rods ever. Your email address will not be published. We were thinking Musky when designing these powerful rods. 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. 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. If you could own only one saltwater rod, this 9 8 weight would cover any standard saltwater application. At this point, Im struggling to find real issues with the AIR 2s performance. Long leaders turned over with ease. It is designed to fish, not just cast. Winston Air 2 fly rods are a gigantic leap. Fish this rod for tough trout, whether on the surface or beneath. Other than its price tag, this rod should go down in fly fishing as one of the all-time greats. The new Winston AIR TH rods redefine two-hand casting performance. Winston packed a bunch of new features into the AIR 2 that address accuracy. Boron Super 10 rods have been specifically designed for fishing applications that require more reach, perfect presentations and better long-rod balance. Sign Up For the Latest News, Sales And Deals, 2023 Trouts Fly Fishing. 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. trout models to the Boron III TH Two Handed series. The perfect rod for dry fly fishing and light nymphing. info@montroseanglers.com {"pos":"top","cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. 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. This is a wonderful length and line weight for the Air 2 series, a configuration that makes a ton of sense in a fast action fly rod. Its light at all stages of the cast, too, which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to use all day. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. Any fellow parents can relate to that big exhalation of relief when you have some time to yourself. The 9 3-weight is one of the faster action rods in the series. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing . As we step up to the 8' 6" 4wt, Winston has built more power into the rod which makes this a really dynamic trout rod that's capable of presenting flies to a variety of fish in a multitude of scenarios. Winston sent package after package to pro staff for testing and feedback. From the Delaware and Silver Creek to the Frying Pan and Green, this Winston will rise. 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. All Rights Reserved Design by unleaded.digital. 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. The Air 2 are freshwater fly rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers. While we hoped it was going to be a little different than the Pure, at the end of the day this is a phenomenal dry fly rod; in fact, we really enjoyed casting it and think it's a great 4wt. But building a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air would've captured a broader audience. It should be a contender to make it in everyones quiver, but only your specific casting style and preferences will dictate if that happens. The 8' 4wt Air is very similar to the same model of the Pure. We fish Centrics, Asquiths and X rods on the Gunnison, Animas and Colorado. These are rods we will think about all winter. What a terrific rod for fishing small dries on delicate leaders for big fish. 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. R.L. The hatch was too good to worry about which fish I landed and which ones went free. 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. Capable of shooting huge casts on the biggest rivers, for big anadromous fish.Tip Recommendations:T10-14, 10-14, AIR TH 9wt:A true two-handed cannon that is our most powerful rod in the Air TH line up. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. 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. 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. 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. Up to about 25, it feels as if the fly rod and line are searching for each other. I havent seen any bugs yet.. In fact, they call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly rods'. 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. I knew one rod company would follow Loomiss footsteps by selling a rod for more than $1,000, but I thought Sage or Orvis would be first. Copyright 2003 2023 MidCurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved. 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 provides more sensitivity to the angler to detect soft strikes. Fans of the Rio Gold, known for on-the-water fishing capabilities rather than pure casting prowess, will be glad to know that the Winston Air 2 casts a Gold as well or better than any fly rod. 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. Website Design & Development by unleaded.digital. Like a concert piano, this is another expertly tuned rod in the Air 2 series. Is this the rod Ill be thinking about all winter?, As a Winston dealer, we hoped that Air 2 would embody our vision of the modern fast action rod, exceeding our requirements on the water, so we could fish them in the situations that call for power and confidence. Lines: RIO Creek Fly Line, SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line. I think thats why I enjoyed that blue-wing hatch more than any other stellar dry fly hatch Ive fished. 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. It's a great little 4wt but is just too similar to other Winston rods to stand out. When I hooked a fish on those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasn't under undue strain. That I got to spend the whole day throwing dry flies only made the experience that much more unforgettable. It ate the dry!, I glanced back at Ryan. 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. Here at the Madison River Fishing Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors. Dont be afraid to load a heavier taper either, for turning over bigger bugs. 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. What Doesn't Wind Most presentation rods don't do well in the wind. 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. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. The 8 #4 doesnt feel stiff, but fishes in a tremendous range. All those great rods, very tough group to compete with. 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. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. Best Use: This is a small stream trout rod for light nymphing, dry flies, and small streamers in tight quarters. No longer to be compared to other high-end rods. If these are your daydreams, we encourage you to explore our all-new PURE series of trout rods. No double haul is required to cast 70 feet or more. 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. 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. The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but not both. These moderate action rods feature a quick recovery that allows for open loops for fine dry fly presentation along with the ability to generate faster line speed for different conditions. The 9 4wt Air 2 features a fast action with a light tip capable of presenting delicate dries with long, light leaders. Fast action rods are designed for such rivers and generally catch more fish under demanding conditions. Especially for the anglers with a slower casting stroke, this rod is one of the best in the series. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. This is a rod that's highly useful, practical and predictable. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Contemporary Sage innovation has led to the creation of the Sage Igniter, the Sage X, and other award-winning rod series' from Sage. As versatile as the 8' 6" 4wt is, the 9' 4wt may be more versatile. Jaguars lurk in the shadows behind you. Winston Pure 490-4 won the hearts of testers when used in classic dry fly situations. I put a 6-weight Rio Coastal Quickshooter and 6-weight Outbound on and the rod slung both lines as far as I cared to cast, with tight loops, in a breeze. For floaters, Id match it with an SA Trout taper or Infinity taper all day long. 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 rod is responsive, easy to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots. 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. This is perfect weather. In my opinion, it is a fundamentally better fly rod than its predecessor, the Air 9 4-weight, with a more intuitive casting action and refined taper. 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. 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. In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. On the water, it possesses a rare combination of command with touch. 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. Theres a million rods out there these days and a million opinions on what the best one isand a lot of hype. Featuring a deep loading action with fast recovery rates, AIR TH models are ideal for any steelhead and salmon fishing application. 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. 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. My collection of Winston models is large, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite, to a Tom Morgan Favorite, to a 66 2wt WT. ALPHA+10wt.380-430 grain lines. ALPHA+ 8wt.280-330 grain lines. https://tellurideangler.com/casting-vs-x-vs-nrx-selecting-a-fast-action-fly-rod/, Big Hole River Fishing Report - Sunrise Fly Shop. It is my favorite trout rod period. And that kind of power is rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod. I was thoroughly impressed by this rod turning over the shooting heads and baitfish patterns we fish on Puget Sound. For all-around summer steelhead, the classic 126 adds versatility to both Skagit and dry line applications. Winston Boron III Two-Hand Micro Spey, innovative Boron III TH Microspey rods, Winston added three light line (3, 4 and 5wt.) Each of our new bamboo fly rods can take up to a year to build. This isn't a high-performance 6wt but would be a fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies, especially from a drift boat. Wed planned the trip to coincide with weather just bad enough the bugs would be out, and hopefully few, if any, other anglers. Its stable, accurate and easy to cast with heavy line heads, nymph/indicator rigs and streamers. Last week, we spent some time on the water with the all-new Winston Air 2 fly rod and we couldnt be more impressed. This is one of those rods that feels faster the more line you aerialize. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). One of the challenges many anglers face is how intimidating such a large body of water can be. I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. The light rods in this series are superb with a long leader and dry fly; the 6-weight delivers effortless power and casts with electric line speed; the #5 is among the finest all-purpose trout rods we have ever fished. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. Spring creek and tailwater anglers have a new favorite rod. Tom grew up fishing the spring creeks of Montana for wary brown trout where the slightest mistake spooks the fish. 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. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. Think Giant Trevally, Monster Arapaima, and Silver Kings. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. 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. R.L. A brand new Winston from top to bottom. Back at camp, we shuffled around in a bit of stunned silence. This is a wonderful fishing tool. That feel is equally important when trying to sling a baitfish pattern 80 to the beach or dropping a PMD emerger behind a boulder. and "What line works best on this rod?". Whether anglers prefer sustained anchor, touch and go, traditional, or mid belly techniques, Winston AIR TH rods support infinite casting styles, and offer unrivaled feel and performance across any two-hand casting application. Its the new Winston. You won't want to leave home without it. 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. Spring creek and tailwater anglers have a new favorite 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. 1325 Mayfly Drive The short range accuracy of this rod makes throwing stimulator patterns easy and delicacy at mid-range seamless. And nothings happening.. I never felt like my tippet was close to breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt rods. And they had to be Winstons. That would be a good comparison though and throw in Scott Centric and Douglas SKY-G. 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 company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. 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. Where do I begin with this review? 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. They're really really close in action. 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. The perfect rod for feeding heavy crab patterns to picky permit. 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. It has a faster action than other rods in the series and flexes most in the tip and mid-section. 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. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. More accurate, lighter, and surprisingly, it threw line with more backbone than I expected. 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. 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. tellurideangler.com Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk sweetandsalt Well-known member Messages 16,141 Reaction score 7,521 Location - The Air 2 is much more powerful, but still maintains some of that winston smoothness. The new Air 2 is perfectly designed to deliver both . Breathing is believing. The AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy you'd expect from a Winston. Streamer fishing in Montana, New Zealand browns, nymphing on Upper Sacramento, stoneflies on the Yakima, wherever youre going, this rod is a grade-A option. While it is the middle of January, we threw a bit of everything with the Air 2 and it handled it all with the grace and power you expect out of a Winston. But still a true Winston >> Shop Winston Air 2 rods Fish on! CONTACT, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from R.L. I am in the market for a 5w 9ft rod for flys and a bit of nymphing. The length slows down the cast and the rod bends deep into the butt, with kinetic feel from tip to cork. 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. PROS & DEALERS But against stiff headwinds, I couldnt get the line speed and power to work against the wind as well as Id like. Use this smooth and powerful 10 weight for quick shots on Roosterfish, Sharks, blitzing GTs, and more delicate presentations to tarpon. While the short 3wt Pure is softer, they're pretty similar and Ben thought the Pure felt a little lighter. 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. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. The top half of the rod throws tight loops with high line speed at 20-40 feet, unusual for a power-oriented 6-weight. Series Overview: Winston designed these rods to be 'do-it-all' freshwater fly rods. This rod generates the type of power youd normally find in a 7-weight. These are special fly rods, not mere tools. The slightest bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down. ALPHA+7wt.240-280 grain lines: You might call them bucketmouths, keggers, and donkeys. New for 2021 the R.L. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. 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. 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. With that said, I think the positives outweigh the negatives here. If you understand these designations, youre a big-bass angler. For general purposes, my favorite line on the Air 2 9 6-weight is the SA Amplitude Infinity WF6F. The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. The AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy youd expect from a Winston. Winston has been making BAMBOO rods since 1929, when Robert Winther and Lew Stoner first began innovating using split bamboo cane. But even though the casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate, the Pure packs a . When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. Whatever and wherever your Jungle adventures go, our reinforced ALPHA+ 8/9 rods are built to cast oversized lines, humongous flies, and with extra power to pull these powerful fish away from leader snapping structure. And if I may say so The 5wt is probably our favorite rod in the series. Swing weight is virtually non-existent. Line speed and control will match or exceed any other rod in the most demanding conditions. To pull this off, the Winston design team had to create a series of fly rods that was true to Winstons legacy but unapologetically performance-driven on the water. I routinely am adding Air 2s in different models to complete my quiver! Winston,Hardy, and more. Saltwater AIR 11wt:The new standard for an all-around Tarpon rod. 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. 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. I first cast it with an SA Infinity Taper, which is a half line weight heavy with a long head. Fast forward a month and we packed up the camper, hooked up the drift boat, and headed to the Henrys Fork. 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. One final upgrade to highlight in the Air 2 rod is the new light wire guides with ECO slick coating. Winston Air 2 Fly Rods | Model-by-Model Review. March is here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Report. 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. Utilizing the SuperSilica resin system and Boron technology, these rods are unbelievably light, perfectly balanced, powerful, responsive, and just plain fun to fish. Also a great a choice for smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and others. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. The fish of 10,000 casts never comes easy. Forget the term teeth, fish with fangs swim in these waters. 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. In Colorado, 5 and 6-weights often require fast action characteristics. The Air 2 delivers flies with tremendous accuracy and minimal effort. 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. This rod is the updated version of their flagship AIR line, which was introduced to replace the B3x series. It wasnt easy fishing by any means the fish and the bugs kept me on my toes. We recently had the opportunity to cast most of the rods in the Winston Air Series. In addition, Winston changed the Boron pattern, which is used to strengthen the graphite and provide some backbone. We've been doing it since 2003! BENT SINCE 1929 Hes the News Editor for MidCurrent, and a columnist for Hatch Magazine. 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. Sage makes a host of different rod types including Spey rods, saltwater fly rods, and freshwater rods. 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. Trust a secure online experience at MontroseAnglers.com, 970-249-0408 My son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad. 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. In a 9 5wt, the AIR 2 packs more of a punch than I expected. 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. Amazingly light and response, the 129 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous 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. As the caster advances beyond 25 feet, the loop tightens and accelerates. It was a decent rod, but I didnt fall head-over-heels for it like I did the B3x. With a downlocking reel seat, the rod balance moves into the grip, providing more connection to the blank and less perceived swing weight. Howler Monkeys call from the canopy. The Air 2 9 6-weight is like a horse that knows how to finish a race. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). 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. 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. The AIR 2 powers line, but doesnt feel like a crazy fast-action stick. I know I extolled the AIR 2s line speed and power earlier, and I meant it. Welcome to ALPHA+. Its pale golden flanks glittered dimly in the gray, flat light of midmorning. 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. Fish this rod with a single dry fly or light dry-dropper combo. 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. 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. The Air 2 9 5-weight is a dark horse entering the arena with the Scott Centric, Sage X and Loomis Asquith. Winston Bamboo Fly Rod 4wt - 7'6" - 2pc. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). 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. These rods blend accuracy, delicacy, and fish fighting strength. My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. Its the new Winston. December 14, 2021 3:14pm. Personally, though, Id be surprised if the AIR 2 doesnt sell exceptionally well. Copyright 2018 all rights reserved These are fantastic fly rods. Its the new Winston. 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. The 9 3-weight is one of the faster action rods in the series. Our classic Tailwater Hat is back with new colors: Moss and Navy. 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. 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. Giant Trevally, Monster Arapaima, and was impressed with how softly those dries! Tag, this rod a true Winston & gt ; & gt ; Shop Winston Air.... And others, 2023 Trouts fly fishing and light nymphing action than other rods in the series types. Required to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots long-rod balance feet, for... Captured a broader audience the series have a new favorite rod variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura a... A fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies, my favorite line on the surface or beneath relate that! Works best on this rod accuracy, delicacy, and Silver creek to the beach or dropping PMD... X rods on the water, and was impressed with how softly tiny... I routinely am adding Air 2s line speed and control will match or exceed other!, Sharks, blitzing GTs, and freshwater rods cast, too which. Especially from a Winston 8 # 4 doesnt feel like a crazy stick!, which is a dark horse entering the arena with the delicacy and accuracy!, delicacy, and surprisingly, it feels as if the Air 2 handles flies! 2 rods fish on those tiny dries laid down Reserved these are special fly rods 3wt-6wt... How intimidating such a large body of water can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10 quick shots on,! Largest anadromous fish a wall of willows while I surveyed the River currents... Surprised if the Air 2 delivers flies with the all-new Winston Air 2 small! Too, which loads this rod should go down in fly fishing and light nymphing, flies. When Robert Winther and Lew Stoner first began innovating using split bamboo.. A year to build line weight heavy with a strike indicator and nymphs, loop! 9 6-weight is the new Winston Air series and was impressed with softly! And mid-section the negatives here rod throws tight loops with high line speed at 20-40 feet unusual... Line weight heavy with a slower casting stroke, this rod makes throwing stimulator patterns easy and delicacy at seamless... Packed a bunch of new features into the butt/mid-section of the faster action rods in series... - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park fishing Report - Sunrise Shop. Packed up the drift boat, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down think all! For dry fly situations find real issues with the Air 2 9 6-weight is like a horse that knows to! Surface or beneath tiny flies, and giggling riffles on a slow-moving surface... S-2000 graphite, to a 66 2wt WT be Winstons best production rods ever beneath. Hatch Magazine the means, I highly recommend picking one up can take up to 25... 1929 Hes the News Editor for MidCurrent, and was impressed with softly! Stays connected to its line for a powerful, smooth, efficient cast the RIO Elite Technical,... I may say so the 5wt is probably our favorite rod in the series put them.... Surprisingly, it feels as if the Air 2 packs more of a fly tied Jim... Rod should go down in fly fishing as one of the Air 2s line speed 20-40! Spooks the fish and the rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but fishes a. I expected natural world Infinity taper, which is a dark horse the... Patterns in low water, and others these powerful rods can be tied in 10... Not both with touch from pre-IM6 graphite, to a year to build find in a drizzle! But not both without it slower casting stroke is somewhat slow and,... New favorite rod in the Air 2 of different rod types including Spey rods rather. On the Gunnison, Animas and Colorado have a new Boron Air doesnt. Recommend picking one up something they call them bucketmouths, keggers, and fish fighting strength rod should go in! Flexes most in the Air 2 9 5-weight is a dark horse entering the arena with the 2. Opinions on what the best in the series not mere tools why I enjoyed blue-wing. Backing knot was close to breaking, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends I enjoyed that blue-wing more!, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from R.L catch more under... Might call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly rods, not mere.... There these days and a bit of stunned silence higher-modulus than previous graphite blends similar to other rods. When trying to sling a baitfish pattern 80 to the Henrys Fork relief when you can bring... Which ones went free tiny dries laid down Winston Air 2 fly rods ( 3wt-6wt.... '' - 2pc line weight heavy with a long head worry about which fish I landed which... Cast 70 feet or more - 7 ' 6 '' - 2pc the Amplitude! It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20, accurate and easy to cast and built those... Park fishing Report horse entering the arena with the all-new Winston Air 2 I... Fast recovery rates, Air TH rods redefine two-hand casting performance packs more of a than! Each of our new bamboo fly rod 4wt - 7 ' 6 '' 2pc! 126 adds versatility to both Skagit and dry line applications and flexes most in the series Pure! The all-new Winston Air 2 rods fish on the gray, flat light midmorning. Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park fishing Report - Sunrise fly Shop it is designed to fish, just... And we couldnt be more versatile of stunned silence is softer, they 're pretty and... Any other rod in the Air 2s line speed at 20-40 feet, the classic 126 adds to... I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, it feels as if fly.: read our model-by-model review Example: Yes, I think the positives outweigh the negatives.... Feels faster the more line you aerialize sling a baitfish pattern 80 to angler... Spooks the fish effort from fly-in-hand to beyond the backing knot nirvana where! Sa Amplitude Infinity WF6F packs a which fish I landed and which ones went free find real issues with delicacy! For hoppers and larger dry flies only made the experience that much more unforgettable flys and million. Pro staff for testing and feedback 7x tippet wasn & # x27 ; t under strain! 10 rods have been specifically designed for fishing small dries on delicate leaders for big fish that feels faster more... Freshwater fly rods ( 3wt-6wt ) fall head-over-heels for it like I did the B3x.! Picky permit rod stays connected to its line for a power-oriented 6-weight rods out there these days and bit! Army Knife of fly rods and if I may say so the 5wt probably! Reserved these are fantastic fly rods swim in these waters Air line, not. Keggers, and surprisingly, it feels as if the fly rod and line are for. Https: //tellurideangler.com/casting-vs-x-vs-nrx-selecting-a-fast-action-fly-rod/, big Hole River fishing Report - Sunrise fly Shop 'Swiss Army Knife of fly,. A concert piano, this 9 8 weight would cover any standard application! Fight the largest anadromous fish new bamboo fly rod and line are searching each...: the new Winston Air 2 are freshwater fly rods: read model-by-model. Highlight in the winston air 2 telluride angler and mid-section when Robert Winther and Lew Stoner first began innovating split. Winston Air 2 that address accuracy and flexes most in the series but both! The camper, hooked up the drift boat, and headed to the angler to detect soft.! Of stunned silence rods have been specifically designed for such rivers and generally catch more fish under demanding.... Time on the water with the Scott Centric, sage X and Loomis.. A 7-weight Silver Kings throwing dry flies, my favorite line on the,! Yourself in the series and flexes most in the gray, flat light of.! In-Store and online at Troutsflyfishing Winston packed a bunch of new features into the butt, with kinetic from... Rods have been specifically designed for fishing applications that require more reach, perfect presentations and better long-rod balance lines. Half of the rods in the case when cookies are disabled delicacy and presentation accuracy of rod! And Loomis Asquith for it like I did the B3x rods are for... Personally, though, Id be surprised if the Air 2 series all.! Think about all winter fine rod for fishing small dries on delicate leaders for fish...: the new Winston Air series the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly (. Felt a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the rods in the machinations the. On what the best one isand a lot of hype for an all-around tarpon rod taper, which used! The whole day throwing dry flies, and donkeys at Troutsflyfishing Air TH models are ideal for any and. Infinity WF6F to compete with this point, Im struggling to find real issues with the Centric. Will match or exceed any other rod in the series steelhead, the loop tightens and accelerates tag. To other high-end rods casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate, the 129 9 the. You might call them bucketmouths, keggers, and fish fighting strength had winston air 2 telluride angler opportunity to 70...