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. The 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing. Check the Winston Air 2 Fly Rod out in action with this ON-THE-WATER REVIEW on our YouTube channel. They have a specialized grip that feels more trout rod than Spey, use slightly larger chrome guides than typical trout rods, and come with a larger tiptop that allows for the larger diameter of the spey style lines. These rods will cast these big rigs further with minimal false casts and effort.Built like none other. Also of note is how well this rod mends. Winston packed a bunch of new features into the AIR 2 that address accuracy. This rod will handle it. by R.L. A brand new Winston from top to bottom. The Saltwater AIR series is very light and allows for unprecedented fast recovery, for any length of cast. Where do I begin with this review? Think Giant Trevally, Monster Arapaima, and Silver Kings. 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. Winston smooth. 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. And that kind of power is rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod. Your email address will not be published. But building a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air would've captured a broader audience. Winston Rod Company | Mar 10, 2022. 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. It has a faster action than other rods in the series and flexes most in the tip and mid-section. 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. I would choose this model over the competition for technical fishing on tailwaters, but not for double nymphing on rivers such as the Gunnison where large flies, heavy weight and bulky strike indicators are the norm. 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. You wont want to leave home without it. 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. 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. 81401 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. The new Air 2 is perfectly designed to deliver both . At this point, Im struggling to find real issues with the AIR 2s performance. If a double haul is required for casting in the wind, tap it lightly and expect a confident response. 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. I like it with both the SA Trout Taper and Rio Technical Trout, but the latter loads the rod more quickly and evenly. 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. Wed planned the trip to coincide with weather just bad enough the bugs would be out, and hopefully few, if any, other anglers. It is so choice. He designed the Tom Morgan Favorite as a specialized 2-piece, extra light, 8 4-weight, made from moderate modulus graphite for those close to mid-range distances where delicacy, finesse, and accuracy are essential. Your mileage may vary. 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. No longer to be compared to other high-end rods. The rod holds back tremendous reserve power which unleashes naturally when more line is aerialized. There is no asterisk. 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. 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. Saltwater AIR 12wt:The ultimate Giant Tarpon rod. Either line would be great with a dry fly, but the Technical Trout will kick over a dry dropper or indicator with a little more authority. 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. Speaking of which, I couldnt find a line that I didnt like on this rod, except maybe the Airflo Power Taper, a streamer line designed for ultra fast tip-casting rods such as the NRX+ or Igniter. 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. In Colorado, 5 and 6-weights often require fast action characteristics. 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. 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. The Air 2 delivers flies with tremendous accuracy and minimal effort. The rods shooting guides allow for slick, smooth mends. Winston Fly Rods. I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. We've been doing it since 2003! From bonefish, redfish, stripers, snook, and various other species, this rod is up to the task. In addition, Winston changed the Boron pattern, which is used to strengthen the graphite and provide some backbone. Shop by species to find the right gear for your best saltwater fishing trip yet. Bear with me while I set the stage a bit. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in-the-know about special closeout offers, giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals! 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. This is the black art of rod design, the subtleties of taper change, weight and relative stiffness, the variables a rod designer sees in his sleep but must bring to life in a physical product. Nothing truer said. I would describe the action as medium fast, ideal in this length and line weight. Like a concert piano, this is another expertly tuned rod in the Air 2 series. Everyone wants to own a Winston. We are not a blog or a review site. If you could own only one saltwater rod, this 9 8 weight would cover any standard saltwater application. Its pale golden flanks glittered dimly in the gray, flat light of midmorning. This is perfect weather. On the water, the Air 2 9 6-weight is equally well suited to nymphing, dry fly fishing and streamers. 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. 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. 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. Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers. 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. If these are your daydreams, we encourage you to explore our all-new PURE series of trout rods. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Lines: RIO Creek Fly Line, SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line. 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. The Air 2 9 4-weight is definitely faster action than the Pure 9 4-weight, which flexes into the middle of the rod on every cast, but not as powerful as the equivalent Centric, X, Asquith or NRX+. I havent seen any bugs yet.. They're really really close in action. 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. Soon, the once-tranquil surface of the river was rolling from the unending series of rises as far as the eye could see. Winston,Hardy, and more. 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 perfect rod for feeding heavy crab patterns to picky permit. 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. 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. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. R.L. The extra 6" of length means this rod mends line easier on the water and helps anglers who are fishing slightly larger streams. 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. Of course, like our shootouts and other casting commentaries, these mini-reviews are based on our casting style and preferences. Destination Fishing How To, Tips and Advice, Whether someone is looking for their first rod or trying to upgrade, the. 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 Rio Technical Trout strikes a reasonable compromise, but I like the rod best with long headed lines. You must log in or register to reply here. The four of us were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives. 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. In the same way the 9 rod length became the industry standard for a versatile single hand rod, weve dialed in our famous 133 lengths in 6, 7, and 8 weight grain windows to specify the perfect rod length across different applications. 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. The Winston Air 2 combines the feel and soul of Winston with higher line speed, a faster recovery rate, and a modern smooth action. Over the winter I had the opportunity to fish the new 96 5-weight Air 2 on my homewaters of Puget Sound. Featuring a deep loading action with fast recovery rates, AIR TH models are ideal for any steelhead and salmon fishing application. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. Winston elegance springs from this rod with every cast. R.L. The B3x rods are what I consider to be Winstons best production rods ever. 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. 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. 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. ALPHA+7wt.240-280 grain lines: You might call them bucketmouths, keggers, and donkeys. And, I cant wait to try out the heavier models. 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. There are other rods that cast better at short range, but an 8 rod isnt supposed to be a specialty creek rod, anyway. This rod is the perfect summer steelhead rod with dry lines, lighter tips, and poly leaders. This is a rod that's highly useful, practical and predictable. eatfood, Jecox, Redbrook and 4 others You must log in or register to reply here. The AIR 2 retails at $1,095. 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. 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. What a terrific rod for fishing small dries on delicate leaders for big fish. Winston AIR 2. When I hooked a fish on those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasn't under undue strain. 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. Saltwater AIR 7wt:Our 9 7 weight Saltwater Air has become the perfect all-round bonefish rod. 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. From the Delaware and Silver Creek to the Frying Pan and Green, this Winston will rise. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. These materials combined with the HRS resin have enhanced the rod recovery rate without making it feel like a wicked broom handle. 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. Amazingly light and response, the 129 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous fish. It's the new Winston. I use a Wulff Trout Taper Floating line with my 905-4, and it's perfect. It feels touchy but fits the hand in a way that offers plenty of support from the fingertips through the palm. 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. Roll casting is buttery and effortless. 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. That would be a good comparison though and throw in Scott Centric and Douglas SKY-G. What surprised my buddy and me the most, though, was how quickly it got line out there. In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. 8'6" #3, 8'6" #4, 9' #3, 9' #4, 9' #5, 9' #6, Simms Ms G4 PRO Powerlock Boot Vibram, Armstrong Spring Creek on the OHair Ranch. 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. But against stiff headwinds, I couldnt get the line speed and power to work against the wind as well as Id like. This article is designed to pass that info along to you. Almost as soon as Mike let his fish go, Josh let out a yell. This is not your average 5-weight trout rod, folks. By: Neil Sunday Last week, we spent some time on the water with the all-new Winston Air 2 fly rod and we couldnt be more impressed. 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. It's a great little 4wt but is just too similar to other Winston rods to stand out. Swing weight is virtually non-existent. It will handle slightly heavier lines, such as the Rio Technical Trout or Gold, but why not split hairs and bring out the very best? In overall quality, it matches every one of these rods. Nautilus NVG and Abel reels in special colors and graphics, available pre . These are fantastic fly rods. I have an 8 ft 6 pure, and really like the way it feels. Now is the time! 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. I could own this rod and never want another 4-weight. Line speed and control will match or exceed any other rod in the most demanding conditions. Fish this rod for tough trout, whether on the surface or beneath. 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. The short range accuracy of this rod makes throwing stimulator patterns easy and delicacy at mid-range seamless. 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. New arrivals: Nautilus NVG and Abel reels in custom customs. 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. The ALPHA+ 7/8 has been designed to shoot the biggest bass bugs with over-sized lines into the thickest cover, and turn these lunkers back to the boat. Winston Air 2 fly rods are a gigantic leap. 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. I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 and could not agree more. The 133 gives anglers a longer option without being too long itll lean closer to the more traditional longer Skagit and Scandi lines and cast longer tips. Moments after, the whine of an old click-and-pawl reel filled the air. My son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad. I love the way it feels and I love the way it casts. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! But still a true Winston >> Shop Winston Air 2 rods Fish on! Big mends and high sticking are cake. It ate the dry!, I glanced back at Ryan. It throws line with surprising speed, and absolutely stupid-good accuracy.
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