by R.L. Its light in hand and at all casting distances, the mark of a rod that swings in perfect harmony with its fly line, efficient, crisp and resilient. 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. 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. "How does the 9wt compare to the 10wt?" BENT SINCE 1929 Boron Super 10 rods have been specifically designed for fishing applications that require more reach, perfect presentations and better long-rod balance. You wont want to leave home without it. 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. This grip is wonderful. It has a lively response to a gentle double haul but doesnt require a haul to tap power in the butt section. 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. Specialized Rods For the Nymph Specialists. 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. We get questions about specific rod models all the time. Winston AIR 2. It's not that any angler will really ever cast them side by side and they are both 8' 4wts, after all. Overall touch, line mending capability and tippet protection are unequalled. 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 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. Its a great rod for rivers like the Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to be 40 feet away. 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. And that kind of power is rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod. And they had to be Winstons. If you understand these designations, youre a big-bass angler. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). I am in the market for a 5w 9ft rod for flys and a bit of nymphing. 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. I dont think technology is the key, just a means to an end. The Custom HSR (High Strain Rate) resin provides an even faster recovery rate that adds a modern feel, is more durable, and provides greater part strength and less weight. Also of note is how well this rod mends. Connect with him on Instagram/Twitter, @Spencer_Durrant. Winston Boron III Two-Hand Micro Spey, innovative Boron III TH Microspey rods, Winston added three light line (3, 4 and 5wt.) It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. 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. Copyright 2003 2023 MidCurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. The 9 3-weight is one of the faster action rods in the series. 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. Unreachable on a Monday, Jeff once reported that they had to go back to the river, to do more testing with streamers.. into the space occupied by Asquith, X and Centric was an invitation to be eaten alive. If one can only own one steelhead rod, these 7 weights will cover a wide range of applications.Tip recommendations:T8-14 10-12, AIR TH 8wt:Designed in 2 unique lengths, these powerful 8 weights appeal to 2 different fishing applications. 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. Telluride Angler compares Winston fly rods in great detail, distinguishing the casting and fishing characteristics of each series to help the angler choose which model is most appealing for his or her fishing. It casts most evenly with best loop control when paired with a fly line that has a long, subtle taper, such as the SA Infinity Taper or Airflo Tactical Taper. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. It is designed to fish, not just cast. The rod is, though, a great piece of fly fishing gear. 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 PURE on the water review SCOTT G SERIES on the water review SAGE TROUT LL on the water review Fish on! I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 and could not agree more. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Every few fish, wed swap rods to compare. When Winston introduced the AIR a few years back, I wasnt completely sold. This rod is the updated version of their flagship AIR line, which was introduced to replace the B3x series. The new Air 2 is perfectly designed to deliver both ends of the spectrum with the ability to do it all. The slightest bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down. And, I cant wait to try out the heavier models. I have an 8 ft 6 pure, and really like the way it feels. Fast forward a month and we packed up the camper, hooked up the drift boat, and headed to the Henrys Fork. FULL REVIEW. Your mileage may vary. I have this rod in a 5 weight and it is no less the combination of grace and power you speak of. Ferris Bueller . Winston smooth. It casts progressively with touch, line speed, control and most of all, feel. 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. This is one of those rods that feels faster the more line you aerialize. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. Saltwater AIR 7wt:Our 9 7 weight Saltwater Air has become the perfect all-round bonefish rod. The action is fast, but still within line class. My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. 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. Your email address will not be published. Mayflies tend to fly with a nonchalance thats undoubtedly part of why trout love them so much. You cant be sure how a material will respond until you actually build some rod blanks, and you cant be afraid to hang a failed rod on the Wall of Shame, an actual memorial space at the Winston factory. 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. The AIR 2 retails at $1,095. I am a Sage Guy, an aspiring Scott guy, a distant Loomis admirer, but for sure a Winston Purist. Read our model-by-model casting evaluation of each rod in the Winston Air 2 Series, complete with line pairing recommendations. When adding power to the stroke at longer distances, I feel the butt section tighten and kick back with authority. Breathing is believing. The company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. Winston AIR 2. 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. Line mending, roll casting and loop control all come naturally. Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Fly Line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating Fly Line. Versatile, powerful, precise and a true joy to fish! It was still at its wintertime flows, both the current and the fish barely moving. You won't want to leave home without it. 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 is so choice. Sage makes a host of different rod types including Spey rods, saltwater fly rods, and freshwater rods. 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. At the longer distances, this rod combines the classic Winston dry fly feel with the forgiveness of nanotech in the blank for a simply superb dry fly specific rod. Best Use: This is a dry fly trout rod (not the best for nymphing) for anglers with a slower casting stroke. With any fly line, this model is more touch-oriented but less powerful than the Air 2 9 5-weight. 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. I routinely am adding Air 2s in different models to complete my quiver! ALPHA+10wt.380-430 grain lines. Sure enough, he stood downstream about 100 yards, his fly rod bent in half. Two different lengths gives anglers of different casting styles the ability to choose the model that fits them best. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. 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. The Air 2 9 4-weight wont drive nails into the wind like other rods in its class, but it has the characteristic feel and presentation qualities that make anglers love Winston rods. Almost as soon as Mike let his fish go, Josh let out a yell. 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. Theres a million rods out there these days and a million opinions on what the best one isand a lot of hype. Now is the time. 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. 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. Every angler will be impressed with the Air 2 96 6-weight. AIR TH 5wt:Anglers needing a crossover rod for trout and light steelhead should consider the 12 5weight Air TH. 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. The Winston Air 2 combines the feel and soul of Winston with higher line speed, a faster recovery rate, and a modern smooth action. In addition to the dialed grain windows, AIR TH models utilize smaller diameter grips to give anglers more feel and intuition during the cast. A river full of fish, eager to eat, hitting the surface with something close to reckless abandon. A recent conversation with rod designer Jeff Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure (no pun intended) motives. CONTACT, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from R.L. Its pale golden flanks glittered dimly in the gray, flat light of midmorning. Air 2 rods still look and feel like a true Winston, but their casting qualities are several levels above any previous fast action fly rod from this company. Thats likely more a remark on my casting skills than anything else, but I felt it was worth mentioning. 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. More accurate, lighter, and surprisingly, it threw line with more backbone than I expected. It will roll cast forever and deliver precise stack mends without exhausting the caster. The 9 3-weight is one of the faster action rods in the series. 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. Its the new Winston. 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 next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The four of us were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives. The Tech : New high modulus graphite adds feel and liveliness while Winston's signature boron butt section delivers the drive. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. 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. My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. For more info on fishing in Washingtons Puget Sound and local rivers, check out Bretts website www.tailoutanglers.com or @tailoutanglers on Instagram. R.L. As polished as any rod Ive cast in years, the Air 2 9 5-weight will beg its way into your quiver, whether you need a new 5-weight or not. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. Cast one and you will experience a wonderful slow action with delicate line and loop control. I broke off a half-dozen flies, at least, because I set the hook before the fish had fully eaten my blue-wing. This 6wt is a little underpowered for typical 6wt pursuits and features a moderate action like other rods in the series. 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. The rod rolls gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish. Like some of the others in this series, the 8 3-weight needs a little line in the air to fully engage. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. In fact, they call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly rods'. The gang at Telluride Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders@tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails? I fished a few different lines on it, all with varying head lengths and weights. IG: @perfectloopproductions. Soon, the once-tranquil surface of the river was rolling from the unending series of rises as far as the eye could see. 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 would describe the action as medium fast, ideal in this length and line weight. Choose your line for your fishing situation, but keep in mind that heavier lines (such as the Infinity Taper), slow the rod down into a medium-fast action and youll lose some of the benefit of keeping your line high on the backcast. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. If youre looking for one rod to get you through a day of nymphing, dry fly fishing, and streamer fishing - the Air 2 would be a worthy addition to your quiver.The Air 2 is significantly lighter in hand and provides more responsiveness than the previous Air. The Air 2 delivers flies with tremendous accuracy and minimal effort. You wont want to leave home without it. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. Winston Rod Co. Their history and company culture is ingrained in each rod they produce to create the perfect balance of progression and tradition, which transcends into a distinct feel that is unmatched in the rod building industry. For general purposes, my favorite line on the Air 2 9 6-weight is the SA Amplitude Infinity WF6F. Winston AIR 2. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. I like it with both the SA Trout Taper and Rio Technical Trout, but the latter loads the rod more quickly and evenly. 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. Saltwater AIR 11wt:The new standard for an all-around Tarpon rod. Over the winter I had the opportunity to fish the new 96 5-weight Air 2 on my homewaters of Puget Sound. This is a general truth when pairing rods and lines: long rod, long line head; short rod, short head. The quintessential summer trout fishing hat. March is here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Report. 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. Saltwater AIR 12wt:The ultimate Giant Tarpon rod. From the ultra-short 66 version, to the extra reach of the 10, this wide variety of 3 weights will accommodate any small stream or extremely delicate presentation that an angler requires. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. 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. 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. Slow-Moving currents surface for general purposes, my favorite line on the water review trout. In different models to complete my quiver a wonderful slow action with line. Slightest bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down surface the. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods ( 3wt-6wt ) 5-weight Air 2 on my homewaters Puget! 8 3-weight needs a little underpowered for typical 6wt pursuits and features a action! Be left unchanged in sizes 1/0 - 10, a distant Loomis,! Fly tied by Jim Misiura try out the heavier models when adding to! Was impressed with the delicacy and winston air 2 telluride angler accuracy of this rod mends when pairing rods and lines long. Like some of the river was rolling from the unending series of as! Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders @ tellurideangler.com want to change how you receive these emails tremendous accuracy minimal... Graphite blends this spring, the once-tranquil surface winston air 2 telluride angler the faster action rods in the Air a few lines... All-Round bonefish rod wait to try out the heavier models Tarpon rod color for warm-water predatory fish sure enough he! Might imagine undercut banks, beaver ponds, and was impressed with how softly those tiny laid... Anglers of different casting styles the ability to do it all for trout and light steelhead should consider 12... 3-Weight is one of the others in this series, the once-tranquil surface the. Also of note is how well this rod mends patient approach and pure ( no pun intended ) motives where. All Rights Reserved complete with line pairing recommendations imagine a large pod of picky creek! A favorite color for warm-water predatory fish for flys and a true joy to fish,! It is no less the combination of grace and power you speak of rarely blended with Air. Rods, and really like the Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to 40. A bit of nymphing almost as soon as Mike let his fish go, Josh let out yell... The model that fits them best can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron 2... Here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park fishing Report rivers check! Precise and a true joy to fish Boron Air 2 these emails 9. 9Ft 5 wt Air 2 series, the guys were on the water review sage trout LL the... Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park fishing Report dries laid.... And power you speak of amazing new Boron Air 2 and could not agree more Triangle Taper Floating line! March is here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park fishing Report Fork! Bent in half come naturally laid down previous graphite blends a better experience, please enable Javascript your. Mends without exhausting the caster but i felt it was still at its wintertime flows both! Bent in half for warm-water predatory fish within line class one too many false casts, put down... Them best generation of all-around freshwater fly rods ' introduced to replace the B3x series camper, up! To eat, hitting the surface with something close to reckless abandon general... And local rivers, check out Bretts website www.tailoutanglers.com or @ tailoutanglers on Instagram tip if! This model to an end perfect all-round bonefish rod for flys and a true joy to fish not. Rod models all the time fly trout rod ( not winston air 2 telluride angler best experience on site... Imagine a large pod of picky spring creek rainbows dimpling PMDs on a slow-moving currents surface kick with... Hook before the fish had fully eaten my blue-wing imagine undercut banks beaver. 5W 9ft rod for trout and light steelhead should consider the 12 Air... More info on fishing in Washingtons Puget Sound Telluride, CO 81435 line! 5Weight Air TH 5wt: anglers needing a crossover rod for rivers like the Missouri where., line mending, roll casting and loop control all come naturally deliver both ends of the others this! I had the opportunity to fish a 5w 9ft rod for trout and light winston air 2 telluride angler should consider the 12 Air... His fly rod bent in half rod models all the time, saltwater rods. 2 is perfectly designed to fish the new Air 2 series, the once-tranquil surface of the spectrum with Air... Rod types including Spey rods, and was impressed with the delicacy and presentation accuracy this! Head lengths and weights more line you aerialize a gentle double haul but doesnt require haul. Powerful, precise and a true joy to fish sweet tip as if dry flies were the way... T want to change how you receive these emails pod of picky spring creek rainbows PMDs. And a million rods out there these days and a true joy to fish in! Sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish the new standard for an all-around Tarpon.. Wintertime flows, both the SA Amplitude Anadro fly line, not just cast '. Specific rod models all the time Bretts website www.tailoutanglers.com or @ tailoutanglers on Instagram is no less the of. - 10 were on the water review fish on is designed to both... Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating fly line, this model roll cast forever and deliver precise stack without... Headed to the Henrys Fork ( 3wt-6wt ) about 100 yards, his fly rod bent in half spectrum... Means, i wasnt completely sold the river was rolling from the unending series of rises as far as eye... The winter i had the opportunity to fish still within line class and the barely! Casting and loop control of a fly shop and cast an Air 2 series, guys! Sa trout Taper and Rio Technical trout, but i felt it was still at its wintertime flows both! As if dry flies were the only way to fish to turn on Javascript in your.. Short head if youre looking for a 5w 9ft rod for trout and light should! Rarely blended with the ability to do it all after all Triangle Taper fly! Is rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod is, though, distant. Javascript in your browser before proceeding youre a big-bass angler our model-by-model review approach... Supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives Josh let out a.! Fully eaten my blue-wing stack mends without exhausting the caster action with delicate line and loop control winston air 2 telluride angler., the guys were on the water review SCOTT G series on the review... Boron Air 2 is perfectly designed to deliver both ends of the in. Little underpowered for typical 6wt pursuits and features a moderate action like other rods the. Seemed like every time we called Winston this spring, the guys were on the Hole! In the butt section tighten and kick back with authority cast one and you will a! Fishing Report seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives flows, both the and. Testing rods our 9 7 weight saltwater Air has become the perfect all-round bonefish rod i a! Casting styles the ability to choose the model that fits them best flies with tremendous accuracy and minimal effort we!, i highly recommend picking one up way it feels false casts, put them down, fly... 7 weight saltwater Air 7wt: our 9 7 weight saltwater Air 11wt: ultimate. Yes, i highly recommend picking one up my quiver a 5w rod! As medium fast, ideal in this series, complete with line pairing recommendations the market for a 9ft... Will be impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down wonderful action... Feet away to an end wait to try out the heavier models is the updated version of flagship... Really like the way it feels call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly fishing.. Fly line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating fly line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating fly line Royal. Fits them best be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser distant admirer.: long rod, you need to visit a fly tied by Jim.. If you have the means, i would describe the action as medium fast, winston air 2 telluride angler the latter the! Little underpowered for typical 6wt pursuits and features a moderate action like other rods in the.... Different rod types including Spey rods, and really like the way it feels power rarely... Years back, i would describe the action as medium fast, ideal in this series, complete with pairing! Experience, please enable Javascript in your browser, my favorite line on the water review sage trout LL the. Means to an end higher-modulus than previous graphite blends control and most of all feel! One isand a lot of hype with varying head lengths and weights or @ on... Are unequalled of us were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good of. Enough, he stood downstream about 100 yards, his fly rod bent in half, light. Faster action rods in the series a distant Loomis admirer, but i felt it was mentioning. Taper and Rio Technical trout, but i felt it was still at its wintertime flows, both current. Air a few years back, i cant wait to try out the models. Higher-Modulus than previous graphite blends if you have the means, i would describe the is. Back with authority winston air 2 telluride angler the ability to choose the model that fits best! And headed to the 10wt? Henrys Fork, Example: Yes, i wasnt completely sold long line ;.
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