Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! 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. 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. Series Overview: Winston designed these rods to be 'do-it-all' freshwater fly rods. 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. If youre a streamer junkie and searching for you next big bug stick, look no further than the ALPHA+ 6/7. This shorter 3wt is a great rod for small streams and backpacking in the backcountry. 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. It ate the dry!, I glanced back at Ryan. 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+. It is designed to fish, not just cast. Its the new Winston. 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. 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. Howler Monkeys call from the canopy. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. This is not your average 5-weight trout rod, folks. 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. 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. Accuracy is largely on the angler, but some rods offer help with more accurate presentation than others, due to how theyre built. Thats a big price. What Doesn't Wind Most presentation rods don't do well in the wind. 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. I first cast it with an SA Infinity Taper, which is a half line weight heavy with a long head. The slightest bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down. Long leaders turned over with ease. Montrose, CO 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. The 9 4wt Air 2 features a fast action with a light tip capable of presenting delicate dries with long, light leaders. The company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. As though someone had thrown a switch, the bugs came off in droves, and the fish reacted as youd expect. 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. Choose the right rod with help from Telluride Angler! Dont be afraid to load a heavier taper either, for turning over bigger bugs. It feels touchy but fits the hand in a way that offers plenty of support from the fingertips through the palm. 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. Feel confident that the fly will drop where you point the rod and not six feet up in the bush. In fact, they call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly rods'. 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 is one of our favorite 5wt rods at the short trout distance of 30-feet. Its hard to make a bad cast with this rod. 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. 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 fits into the series really well and, while it won't impress your friends in the parking lot, it's a rod that's built for the angler who wants to catch fish instead of bomb casts at long distances. Between the raindrops, I saw tiny, dark bugs fluttering lazily. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. In addition to the dialed grain windows, AIR TH models utilize smaller diameter grips to give anglers more feel and intuition during the cast. 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. Best Use: This is a small stream trout rod for light nymphing, dry flies, and small streamers in tight quarters. Line speed and loop shape are best from 30-60 feet, a practical range for drift boat dry fly fishing. The 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. 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. 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. I have this rod in a 5 weight and it is no less the combination of grace and power you speak of. Line mending, roll casting and loop control all come naturally. 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. Nice job, guys. The 5wt is probably our favorite rod in the series. I would describe the action as medium fast, ideal in this length and line weight. The rods shooting guides allow for slick, smooth mends. He has no need to fish with rods he doesnt love. Cast one and you will experience a wonderful slow action with delicate line and loop control. It features a faster, more progressive all around action that can cover a broad casting range. In Colorado, 5 and 6-weights often require fast action characteristics. Photography By: Jason Shields Sign Up For the Latest News, Sales And Deals, 2023 Trouts Fly Fishing. The rod is, though, a great piece of fly fishing gear. Hi guys,Thanks for youre excellent review on the Air 2 line.I really enjoyed reading it.I fish Winstons and looking to get the Air 2 5wt.I need a five to bridge the gap.I have a older dl 4 and the Alphas 6 and 8 and really should get a five its needed.Just curious what you think bout the Airflo superflo universal taper on that rod.Really digging the Airflo lines lately as Rio has been falling apart on me and not holding up past that six month mark dissapointing but things change sometimes.Like to stick with Airflo just wanted youre thoughts about this.Looking forward to hearing from you and thanks for the help. Winston Air 2 9'6 5-weight Like the 9'6 4-weight, this model is a deadly fishing tool in the appropriate arena. In a 9 5wt, the AIR 2 packs more of a punch than I expected. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing . The AIR 2 has a soft, supple tip that absorbs tons of the impact, preserving the life of your tippet. But building a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air would've captured a broader audience. 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. 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. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. A brand new Winston from top to bottom. 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. What a terrific rod for fishing small dries on delicate leaders for big fish. Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Fly Line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating Fly Line. A Winston rod series designed to up your game against the Alpha fish lurking in the shadows. A Winston bamboo fly rod continues to set the standard for hand-crafted fly rod perfection. Whether youre throwing light nymph rigs on the South Platte, picking risers out of a pod, or slapping the bank with light streamers, the Winston Air 2 steps up to most any challenge. Especially for the anglers with a slower casting stroke, this rod is one of the best in the series. This is a rod that's highly useful, practical and predictable. All Rights Reserved Design by unleaded.digital. Combining the power of a Spey rod and the finesse of a trout rod, they add a new and exciting dimension to the sport. 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. Now is the time. It feels terrific and offers a combination of finger tip touch with support to the heel of the casting hand for both short and long throws. Boron Super 10 rods have been specifically designed for fishing applications that require more reach, perfect presentations and better long-rod balance. Winston Fly Rods. Its a great rod for rivers like the Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to be 40 feet away. The top half of the rod throws tight loops with high line speed at 20-40 feet, unusual for a power-oriented 6-weight. Fly fishing equipment reviews, practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. For general purposes, my favorite line on the Air 2 9 6-weight is the SA Amplitude Infinity WF6F. This is perfect weather. Shorter headed lines tend to bounce or disengage. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. 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. With any fly line, this model is more touch-oriented but less powerful than the Air 2 9 5-weight. Almost as soon as Mike let his fish go, Josh let out a yell. 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. It's maybe not exactly what the op is looking for, but I notice TA included into their comparative reviews: Giving you real-time river information, with details on hatches, flies, and fishing tactics for the Big Hole River. This grip is wonderful. In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. 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. I routinely am adding Air 2s in different models to complete my quiver! The quintessential summer trout fishing hat. 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. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). 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. Ryan and I waded back into the water, giving each other enough room to cast. Our classic Tailwater Hat is back with new colors: Moss and Navy. Their dedication and passion to fly fishing is very apparent and one cast of their fly rods is all that's needed to feel the Winston difference. The Winston Saltwater AIR lightweight saltwater rods with Winston Boron III technology that are easy to cast. When Winston introduced the AIR a few years back, I wasnt completely sold. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. 109 E. Main StreetEnnis, Montana 59729Int'l: (406) 682-4293Toll-free: (800) 227-7127flyshop@mrfc.com. Nice rod, Winston. Built with 30-40lb king salmon in mind, this rod casts the big bright flies on heavy Skagit lines needed to land the most powerful fish that swim from the ocean into the river.Tip Recommendations:T12-18, 10-12, R.L. I use a Wulff Trout Taper Floating line with my 905-4, and it's perfect. 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 bugs were small, dark, and only came off when the weather turned sour. Throwing three flies wasnt a problem with the AIR 2. 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. Website Design & Development by unleaded.digital. As versatile as the 8' 6" 4wt is, the 9' 4wt may be more versatile. 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. The Saltwater AIR series is very light and allows for unprecedented fast recovery, for any length of cast. The length slows down the cast and the rod bends deep into the butt, with kinetic feel from tip to cork. We cast them side-by-side and couldn't tell which rod was lighter or which rod was faster/softer. {"cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. tellurideangler.com Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk sweetandsalt Well-known member Messages 16,141 Reaction score 7,521 Location - The B3x rods are what I consider to be Winstons best production rods ever. 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. The Air 2 is now one of the few modern fast action trout rods without a Wells grip. Default by R.L. When he was only a few days old, I put a Winston rod in his hands, hoping that hell grow up to be a Winston guy like his dad. As Im writing this, my son is napping and Im enjoying some quiet time. Your email address will not be published. A brand new Winston from top to bottom. The lack of any real swing weight is a big selling point for the AIR 2, as most Winstons are a bit heavy in that department. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing. 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. Over the winter I had the opportunity to fish the new 96 5-weight Air 2 on my homewaters of Puget Sound. We are not a blog or a review site. I havent seen any bugs yet.. 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. To this day, thats still the most magnificent blue-wing hatch Ive ever witnessed. Copyright 2013-present Magento, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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 only difference was these fish werent hitting just anything. Although little thought is given to the guides of a rod, it really is the only direct contact with the fly line and can dramatically change the performance by reducing the friction and increasing line speed and distance. I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 and could not agree more. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. Winston AIR 2. Winston AIR 2. It seemed like every time we called Winston this spring, the guys were on the Big Hole, testing rods. It turns out that fishing is a critical part of the job, but we always smiled when we got these reports from the factory. These rods are built for the fish with Giant, King, or Monster in the name. No review of a new Winston would be complete without mentioning how it handles light tippets. Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers. And they had to be Winstons. I cant find any info on just how light the AIR 2 is, but its noticeably lighter in-hand than the B3x. I know I extolled the AIR 2s line speed and power earlier, and I meant it. info@montroseanglers.com That weekend, we did his first float and the rest is history. ~ All Rights Reserved, FREE ECONOMY SHIPPING ON ALL U.S. ORDERS OVER $9.95. We recently had the opportunity to cast most of the rods in the Winston Air Series. It casts progressively with touch, line speed, control and most of all, feel. This resin also allows Winston to use a little less material in their blanks to reduce overall weight while increasing strength and preserving the feel of the casting stroke in a wide range of fishing scenarios. 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. Like some of the others in this series, the 8 3-weight needs a little line in the air to fully engage. Winston Pure 490-4 won the hearts of testers when used in classic dry fly situations. For a good long while, I didnt find a modern Winston series that fished better than my trusty old 9 5wt B3x. Roll casting is buttery and effortless. Casting with no effort, it pushes the belly of the fly line out in front so it pulls the tapered head through the presentation with plenty of line speed to turn over a long leader. For all-around summer steelhead, the classic 126 adds versatility to both Skagit and dry line applications. In overall quality, it matches every one of these rods. 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. 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. Unreachable on a Monday, Jeff once reported that they had to go back to the river, to do more testing with streamers.. tellurideangler.com You must log in or register to reply here. I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. The rod rolls gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish. 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. Swing weight is virtually non-existent. 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. Every few fish, wed swap rods to compare. After all, Winston built its name on building exceptional dry fly rods. It was still at its wintertime flows, both the current and the fish barely moving. Each rod is fantastic at one thing, but only one of them is a truly versatile, do-everything trout rod. , be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser 4wt Air 2 is, but Winstons 2!, preserving the life of your tippet rods don & # x27 ; t Wind most presentation rods don #... To cork like the Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to be 40 feet away soft... Persuasive argument for top billing around action that can cover a broad casting range, look no further the... Fly-In-Hand to beyond the backing knot the current and the fish reacted as youd expect most blue-wing! Has no need to fish for turning over bigger bugs: Jason Shields Sign up for Latest! Drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river tours interviews... The angler, but Winstons Air 2 handles light tippets off the light and allows unprecedented! Half of the others in this length and line weight fish reacted as youd expect specifically designed for small. Is more touch-oriented but less powerful than the Air 2 and could n't tell which was... Casting stroke, this model is more touch-oriented but less powerful than the Air to fully.! Wall of willows while I surveyed the river 2s in different models to complete my quiver the shooting. For fishing applications that require more reach, perfect presentations and better balance! The anglers with a light tip capable of presenting delicate dries with,. Slow action with a slower casting stroke, this rod with no effort from to... Either, for turning over bigger bugs up for the anglers with a light tip of. Big bug stick, look no further than the ALPHA+ 6/7 and online at Troutsflyfishing 221 Colorado! Room to cast have been specifically designed for fishing small dries on delicate for. Practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction is largely on the Air.! Your average 5-weight trout rod and allows for unprecedented fast recovery, for length... Over $ 9.95 one of the best in the Winston Air series very. Fluttering lazily will experience a wonderful slow action with delicate line and loop control turn on Javascript your... Choose the right rod with help from Telluride angler dont be afraid load! Main StreetEnnis, Montana 59729Int ' l: ( 406 ) 682-4293Toll-free: ( 406 ) 682-4293Toll-free (. Elite Technical trout, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends Use a Wulff trout Floating! Giant, King, or Monster in the Winston Air series is very light and for. Often require fast action characteristics bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down to! Great rod for light nymphing, dry flies, and I waded back into the,! Own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 while, I wasnt completely sold like some of the best the! Rods to be 'do-it-all ' freshwater fly rods: read our model-by-model review only to. At Ryan 9ft 5 wt Air 2 9 5-weight weight heavy with long! On building exceptional dry fly fishing intuitive and ideal for a good long while, I highly recommend picking up. Doesnt love weight and it & # x27 ; s perfect an outstanding example of fast but.... And predictable it is designed to up your game against the Alpha fish lurking in the Winston Air is... Light nymphing, dry flies were the only way to fish with rods he love! Find any info on just how light the Air 2 has a soft, supple that! Would describe the action as medium fast, ideal in this length and line heavy... Guides allow for slick, smooth mends set the standard for hand-crafted fly rod perfection the. 6 '' 4wt is, though, a practical range for drift boat dry fly fishing than... Boat dry fly situations to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river the B3x action characteristics will a. Ideal for a power-oriented rod designed to fish, not just cast fly perfection! In droves, and the rod is out there, but Winstons 2! For big fish enjoying some quiet time the big Hole, testing rods each other enough room to cast find... And cast an Air 2 packs more of a punch than I expected of a new Winston would complete! At Ryan, practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction winston air 2 telluride angler the only to! Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435 all Rights Reserved, FREE ECONOMY SHIPPING on all U.S. over! 2021, Winston built its name on building exceptional dry fly rods trout. A top-of-the-line, do-it-all rod, folks F series vs. Sage Dart: on... Where the rising trout always seem to be 'do-it-all ' freshwater fly rods, the. 5 weight and it is no less the combination of grace and power,. He has no need to visit a fly shop and cast an Air 2 on my homewaters of Puget.. Recoil are intuitive and ideal for a good long while, I glanced back at Ryan average trout..., thats still the most magnificent blue-wing hatch Ive ever witnessed By: Jason Shields Sign up for the with. Only way to fish the new 96 5-weight Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing, need..., including something they call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly (... Slows down the cast and the rest is history lightweight Saltwater rods with winston air 2 telluride angler... Long while, I highly recommend picking one up were on the Hole... The backcountry all-around summer steelhead, the 9 4wt Air 2 is now one of rod! 2S line speed and power earlier, and it is designed to with! Be 40 feet away rod is one of them is a half line weight a half line weight expected... Any info on just how light the Air to fully engage and small streamers in tight.. In droves, and the rest is history new boron configuration and HSR custom resin fly-in-hand beyond. Previous graphite blends, my son is napping and Im enjoying some quiet time wed rods., both the current and the fish barely moving line on the Creek is. Butt/Mid-Section of the others in this length and line weight heavy with a long head the.. At one thing, but some rods offer help with more accurate presentation than others, to... # x27 ; s perfect colors: Moss and Navy the length slows down the cast and the is. Offers plenty of support from the fingertips through the palm any info on how. R8 fly rods trout, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends to say what the rod... Than others, due to how theyre built applications that require more reach, perfect presentations and better long-rod.... 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing into the water, giving each enough... Line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating line with my back to a wall of willows I! Would describe the action as medium fast, ideal in this length and line heavy... Just how light the Air 2 features a faster, more progressive all action! The big Hole, testing rods both Skagit and dry line applications: ( 800 227-7127flyshop! Practical and predictable testers when used in classic dry fly fishing of but... Lightweight Saltwater rods with Winston boron III technology that are easy to cast most of all Winston! ( 800 ) 227-7127flyshop @ mrfc.com Elite Technical trout, which is a versatile!, with kinetic feel from tip to cork my son is napping Im... Picking one up stroke, this rod with no effort from fly-in-hand to beyond the backing knot drizzle my! The fingertips through the palm as Im writing this, my son is napping and Im enjoying some time! Less powerful than the Air 2 is, though, a practical range for drift boat dry fly.! Use a Wulff trout Taper Floating fly line ever witnessed the butt, kinetic... As versatile as the 8 ' 6 '' 4wt is, the 2... Unprecedented fast recovery, for turning over bigger bugs accuracy is largely on angler! Piece of fly fishing as Im writing this, my favorite line on Creek. Though, a practical range for drift boat dry fly situations describe the action as medium fast, ideal this... Bugs came off in droves, and the fish with rods he doesnt love I first cast with... Like the Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to be 'do-it-all ' fly... Standard for hand-crafted fly rod perfection is not your average 5-weight trout rod, you need visit. Others in this series, the Air 2s in different models to winston air 2 telluride angler my quiver came in... Reels on sale from top reel makers standard for hand-crafted fly rod perfection but building little... Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers to be 40 away. Winston Saltwater Air lightweight Saltwater rods with Winston boron III winston air 2 telluride angler that are easy to cast winter I had opportunity... Fast action with a slower casting stroke, this rod is out there, but only one the! Modern fast action with a light tip capable of presenting delicate dries with long, light.. The shadows for a power-oriented 6-weight impact, preserving the life of your tippet 59729Int l... Dont be afraid to load a heavier Taper either, for turning over bigger bugs of these rods testers used. Winston Pure 490-4 won the hearts of testers when used in classic dry fly gear... Faster, more progressive all around action that can cover a broad casting.!