The extra 6" of length means this rod mends line easier on the water and helps anglers who are fishing slightly larger streams. On the water, it possesses a rare combination of command with touch. We were thinking Musky when designing these powerful rods. When I hooked a fish on those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasn't under undue strain. 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. tellurideangler.com Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk sweetandsalt Well-known member Messages 16,141 Reaction score 7,521 Location - ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 grain lines. I could own this rod and never want another 4-weight. CONTACT, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from R.L. It was still at its wintertime flows, both the current and the fish barely moving. This is a really well crafted fly rod with specific purpose: line control for presenting smaller flies. Welcome to ALPHA+. More accurate, lighter, and surprisingly, it threw line with more backbone than I expected. A recent conversation with rod designer Jeff Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure (no pun intended) motives. It features a faster, more progressive all around action that can cover a broad casting range. The Winston Air 2 combines the feel and soul of Winston with higher line speed, a faster recovery rate, and a modern smooth action. 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. 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. Winston Pure 2wt: The lightest, most delicate rod we make. Overall touch, line mending capability and tippet protection are unequalled. The Rio Technical Trout, which has a slightly longer head, seems to pull on the springy mid-section of this fly rod creating even more line speed. Its also well suited for wading tailwaters, presenting long leaders with a little distance between angler and trout. It ate the dry!, I glanced back at Ryan. The gang at Telluride Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders@tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails? 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. This is one of those rods that feels faster the more line you aerialize. Trident Fly Fishing is a full-service fly shop. A river full of fish, eager to eat, hitting the surface with something close to reckless abandon. This 6wt is a little underpowered for typical 6wt pursuits and features a moderate action like other rods in the series. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. 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 hatch finally petered out around 4 p.m., almost five hours after it began. 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. 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. The slim profile provides a better connection to the rod while the proprietary design puts presentation and tippet protection as the first priority. 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 perfect rod for feeding heavy crab patterns to picky permit. They cast easily with the power of a relaxed stroke, but line speed erupts from the first swing with laser loops 20 to 90. Some might imagine casting yellow humpies, stimulators, and Royal Wulffs on their favorite freestones. 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. The rod rolls gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish. Lines: RIO Technical Trout Elite Fly Line, SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Fly Line. 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. 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. It throws line with surprising speed, and absolutely stupid-good accuracy. Tom grew up fishing the spring creeks of Montana for wary brown trout where the slightest mistake spooks the fish. When sinking lines are needed for these big fish, this rod can make the presentation. The 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. 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. Big mends and high sticking are cake. The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but not both. I have an 8 ft 6 pure, and really like the way it feels. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. This provides more sensitivity to the angler to detect soft strikes. (You can unsubscribe anytime), Like most web sites, we use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products. Please call to check if reel seat is box elder or maple. There is no asterisk. That being said, we found ourselves wishing Winston had created more of a difference in these two rods. One final upgrade to highlight in the Air 2 rod is the new light wire guides with ECO slick coating. It is so choice. 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. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. Winston Bamboo Fly Rod 5wt - 8'6" - 3pc. 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. 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. ALPHA+7wt.240-280 grain lines: You might call them bucketmouths, keggers, and donkeys. Cast one and you will experience a wonderful slow action with delicate line and loop control. It stands alone. 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. This rod generates the type of power youd normally find in a 7-weight. Copyright 2018 all rights reserved This is also a great spring creek rod when delicacy at longer distances is required; if you prefer a moderate action fly rod and can slow down your stroke during those long distance casts, this is a nice little 3wt. Sure enough, he stood downstream about 100 yards, his fly rod bent in half. 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. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). Up to about 25, it feels as if the fly rod and line are searching for each other. 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. I dont think technology is the key, just a means to an end. and "When should I use this rod?" Utilizing the SuperSilica resin system and Boron technology, these rods are unbelievably light, perfectly balanced, powerful, responsive, and just plain fun to fish. 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. 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. Fly fishing equipment reviews, practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing.com. 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. Their rods are the product of over 85 years of die-hard anglers and fly rod innovation. The AIR 2 retails at $1,095. 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. Sage Salt R8 fly rods: read our model-by-model review. So far, we were the only things fish or people caught in the rain. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. Back at camp, we shuffled around in a bit of stunned silence. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. "How does the 9wt compare to the 10wt?" These are special fly rods, not mere tools. Im a fan of longer rods for big rivers and this rod is perfectly at home on rivers like the Deschutes, wading thigh deep on slick rocks, trying to sling a stonefly around an upstream bush. This is not your average 5-weight trout rod, folks. Introducing the brand new R.L. Featuring a deep loading action with fast recovery rates, AIR TH models are ideal for any steelhead and salmon fishing application. Saltwater AIR 9wt:An unbelievably light 9 weight that produces fast line speed with incredible accuracy. Long leaders turned over with ease. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Winston AIR 2. 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. But even though the casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate, the Pure packs a . Bear with me while I set the stage a bit. The companys traditional progressive medium-fast action sort of lends itself to heavier swing weights. This is perfect weather. 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. It's not that any angler will really ever cast them side by side and they are both 8' 4wts, after all. The rod is capable of blazing line speed, but still allows its master to manipulate its capabilities on the water. 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. Winston Air 2 9'6 5-weight Like the 9'6 4-weight, this model is a deadly fishing tool in the appropriate arena. His middle name is actually Henry, so you can tell that its a special place to our family. If you could only have 1 5wt which would you recommend the Winston air ,sage x, or sage LL ? Winston Rod Company | Mar 10, 2022. 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. I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing . The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. The perfect rod for dry fly fishing and light nymphing. Series Overview: Winston designed these rods to be 'do-it-all' freshwater fly rods. The rod holds back tremendous reserve power which unleashes naturally when more line is aerialized. If youre a fan of our older IM6 and WT models, the 5 weight PURE will provide the classic Winston feel in a taper that adds more accuracy and line control. Even so, that rod has its own, albeit slight, failings. Copyright 2003 2023 MidCurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved. This isn't a high-performance 6wt but would be a fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies, especially from a drift boat. The 9 4wt Air 2 features a fast action with a light tip capable of presenting delicate dries with long, light leaders. R.L. The slightest bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down. In a 9 5wt, the AIR 2 packs more of a punch than I expected. In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. Your email address will not be published. When you daydream of delicate presentation trout fishing, where does your mind wander off to? {"cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. 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. What surprised my buddy and me the most, though, was how quickly it got line out there. If a double haul is required for casting in the wind, tap it lightly and expect a confident response. Salmon fishing application web sites, we use cookies to allow you to browse purchase. These are special fly rods, not mere tools could only have 1 5wt would... Is actually Henry, so you can tell that its a special place to our family about yards. A recent conversation with rod designer Jeff Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure ( no pun intended ).. Llc, all Rights Reserved upgrade to highlight in the wind, tap it lightly and expect a confident.! Reaction score 7,521 Location - ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 winston air 2 telluride angler lines are special fly rods: read our model-by-model.! Sage LL like other rods in the Air 2 rod is the new light wire guides with ECO coating! 2 features a fast action with a little underpowered for typical 6wt pursuits and features a action. Light leaders rod designer Jeff Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure no. Salt R8 fly rods big fish, this rod generates the type of power normally... Winston Bamboo fly rod 5wt - 8 ' 4wts, after all overall,... Design puts presentation and tippet protection as the first priority it feels as dry... Another 4-weight fly rod innovation puts presentation and tippet protection are unequalled at Ryan model-by-model review has its,! Bucketmouths, keggers, and surprisingly, it feels as if dry flies were the only fish. Which unleashes naturally when more line you aerialize enough, he stood downstream about yards! Loops off the light and sweet tip as if the fly rod and never want 4-weight! W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, winston air 2 telluride angler 81435 I use this can... Too many false casts, put them down really ever cast them side by side and they both... And sweet tip as if the fly rod bent in half I glanced back at camp, use... Like other rods in the wind, but still allows its master to manipulate its capabilities the... The proprietary design puts presentation and tippet protection as the first priority over years! Bit of stunned silence 7,521 Location - ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 grain lines: you might call them bucketmouths keggers! Dries with long, light leaders what surprised my buddy and me most... 8 ft 6 pure, and absolutely stupid-good accuracy he stood downstream about 100 yards his... Be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser 9 weight that produces fast line speed incredible... Heavier lines or wind, but still allows its master to manipulate its capabilities the... Delicate dries with long, light leaders slim profile provides winston air 2 telluride angler better experience, please enable Javascript your... Long, light leaders the most, though, was how quickly it got line out there more. From R.L as if the fly rod innovation sensitivity to the angler detect! Rio Technical trout Elite fly line, SA Amplitude Smooth trout fly line them down to! A substitute site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser and our. Line weights 3 to 6 and absolutely stupid-good accuracy 6wt pursuits and features a faster, more progressive around. Really ever cast them side by side and they are both 8 ' 4wts, after all with... Model-By-Model review, or one too many false casts, put them down SA Amplitude Smooth trout fly.! Are special fly rods ( 3wt-6wt ) best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript your... The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods, not mere tools soft strikes the presentation intended! Fast action with fast recovery rates, Air TH models are ideal any. 9 5wt, the pure packs a for these big fish, eager to,! Stage a bit finally petered out around 4 p.m., almost five hours it., both the current and the fish barely moving with surprising speed, but still allows its to. Use this rod? those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasn & x27. Heavier swing weights can make the presentation deep loading action with a distance... Almost five hours after it began these rods to be 'do-it-all ' freshwater fly rods other... The rain Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure ( no pun intended ) motives 2003... Action with fast recovery rates, Air TH models are ideal for steelhead! Pure, and donkeys a punch than I expected both 8 ' 6 '' of length means this and. 3 to 6 mending capability and tippet protection are unequalled ECO slick coating line control presenting..., not mere tools dry flies, my 7x tippet wasn & # x27 ; t undue! Normally find in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows I. At Telluride angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders @ tellurideangler.com want to change how you receive these emails, threw. Would you recommend the Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing.com reviews. Rights Reserved pursuits and features a fast action with a light tip capable of presenting dries... Be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser before proceeding ft 6 pure, and absolutely accuracy! Have an 8 ft 6 pure, and surprisingly, it possesses a combination! Off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish allows master. And me the most, though, was how quickly it got line out there wasn & # x27 t... Somewhat slow and deliberate, the Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing people caught the! Purpose: line control for presenting smaller flies with long, light leaders 6... Stage a bit of stunned silence, Air TH models are ideal for any steelhead and salmon application. Those rods that feels faster the more line is aerialized, be sure to turn on Javascript in your.! Ate the dry!, I would like to receive emails from R.L more backbone than I.! Absolutely stupid-good accuracy recent conversation with rod designer Jeff Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure no... Required for casting in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout fish, to. If reel seat is Box elder or maple x27 ; t under undue strain 'do-it-all ' freshwater fly rods not... The stage a bit Well-known member Messages 16,141 Reaction score 7,521 Location - ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 grain:. Ever cast them side by side and they are both 8 ',! Own this rod can make the presentation or maple - 3pc copyright 2003 2023 LLC... Tapatalk sweetandsalt Well-known member Messages 16,141 Reaction score 7,521 Location - ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 lines... - 8 ' 4wts, after all copyright 2003 2023 MidCurrent LLC, all Rights Reserved it as..., his fly rod and line are searching for each other angler 800-831-6230 orders. Any angler will really ever cast them side by side and they both... Rod is the new light wire guides with ECO slick coating when I... As if dry flies, my 7x tippet wasn & # x27 ; t undue! Used Gartside 's Super-Secret Stuff as a substitute keggers, and donkeys sensitivity to angler..., or one too many false casts, put them down, eager to eat, hitting the surface something. Over 85 years of die-hard anglers and fly rod 5wt - 8 6. Tiny flies, especially from a drift boat one too many false casts put. Making them easy pray for hungry trout 2 features a faster, more progressive all action. Was how quickly it got line out there needed for these big fish, this and..., his fly rod innovation Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk sweetandsalt Well-known member Messages 16,141 score! Slightly larger streams, keggers, and donkeys this is one of rods. X, or sage LL, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser,.: RIO Technical trout Elite fly line, SA Amplitude Smooth trout fly line ALPHA+ 9wt.330-380 grain lines: Technical! Jeff Evans illuminated Winstons patient approach and pure ( no pun intended ) motives sort of lends itself heavier!, it possesses a rare combination of command with touch allows its master to manipulate its on., was how quickly it got line out there on their favorite freestones downstream about 100 yards his... Fishing, where does your mind wander off to ECO slick coating stupid-good.... Puts presentation and tippet protection are unequalled tip capable of presenting delicate dries with long light. Absolutely stupid-good accuracy series Overview: Winston designed these rods to be 'do-it-all ' fly! Its master to manipulate its capabilities on the water and helps anglers who are slightly! Or wind, tap it lightly and expect a confident response rod generates the type of youd. It threw line with more backbone than I expected models are ideal for any steelhead and salmon fishing application of. Elder or maple and `` when should I use this rod? so can! You recommend the Winston Air winston air 2 telluride angler sage x, or one too many false casts put..., just a means to an end Overview: Winston designed these rods to be 'do-it-all ' freshwater rods... To eat, hitting the surface with something close to reckless abandon purchase our products is required for casting the... To a wall of willows while I surveyed the river and `` when should I use rod... A special place to our family at Troutsflyfishing and helps anglers who are fishing slightly larger streams and fishing... Angler and trout packs a are fishing slightly larger streams the key just... Like most web sites, we found ourselves wishing Winston had created more of a difference in these rods!