winston air 2 telluride anglerwinston air 2 telluride angler

The quintessential summer trout fishing hat. 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. The new Winston AIR TH rods redefine two-hand casting performance. Stillwater fisheries can provide opportunities to catch some of the largest trout in the world. R.L. Introducing the brand new R.L. 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. Shorter headed lines tend to bounce or disengage. The action is fast, but still within line class. For a good long while, I didnt find a modern Winston series that fished better than my trusty old 9 5wt B3x. 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. Its a great rod for rivers like the Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to be 40 feet away. Nice job, guys. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. If youre a modern day Beowulf, consider this fly rod your monster-slaying Hilt. Fear not what awaits in the abyss, just cast, strip, and hold on. To say this rod blends power and finesse is unfair and simplistic, however. info@montroseanglers.com The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. Add to your quiver with atop-of-the-line rod from R.L. 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. Like a concert piano, this is another expertly tuned rod in the Air 2 series. Thats likely more a remark on my casting skills than anything else, but I felt it was worth mentioning. 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. 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. This is a really well crafted fly rod with specific purpose: line control for presenting smaller flies. The new Air 2 is perfectly designed to deliver both ends of the spectrum with the ability to do it all. 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. The fish of 10,000 casts never comes easy. My favorite line on this rod is a Rio Gold, which hops from the tip and makes the rod feel extra light and crisp throughout the delivery. Sage fly rods are often fast-action high-performance rods that are powerful, strong, and durable on the water. In addition to the dialed grain windows, AIR TH models utilize smaller diameter grips to give anglers more feel and intuition during the cast. Mike and I both lived in Utah at the time, while Ryan and Josh drove down from Olympia, Washington. With a taper that allows for minimal back casts and quick shots off the bow of the skiff, this rod will put crab, shrimp and baitfish patterns on target every time with minimal effort. We fish Centrics, Asquiths and X rods on the Gunnison, Animas and Colorado. The PURE is no exception. Its the new Winston. Utilizing the SuperSilica resin system and Boron technology, these rods are unbelievably light, perfectly balanced, powerful, responsive, and just plain fun to fish. 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. March is here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Report. The 146 is our traditional long-belly length for fishing greased lines, or longer Scandinavian shooting heads. Nice rod, Winston. No double haul is required to cast 70 feet or more. In fact, they call them the 'Swiss Army Knife of fly rods'. In laymans terms, Winston took the variables that affect accuracy weight, material stability, and material patterns and updated them to produce an outstandingly accurate rod. When adding power to the stroke at longer distances, I feel the butt section tighten and kick back with authority. Your email address will not be published. From the Delaware and Silver Creek to the Frying Pan and Green, this Winston will rise. 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. Read our model-by-model casting evaluation of each rod in the Winston Air 2 Series, complete with line pairing recommendations. Its the new Winston. 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. We recently had the opportunity to cast most of the rods in the Winston Air Series. 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. 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. Chartreuse is a favorite color for warm-water predatory fish. And nothings happening.. When Winston introduced the AIR a few years back, I wasnt completely sold. 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. Saltwater AIR 7wt:Our 9 7 weight Saltwater Air has become the perfect all-round bonefish rod. 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. Even so, that rod has its own, albeit slight, failings. 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. The slim profile provides a better connection to the rod while the proprietary design puts presentation and tippet protection as the first priority. Check the Winston Air 2 Fly Rod out in action with this ON-THE-WATER REVIEW on our YouTube channel. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. Their rods are the product of over 85 years of die-hard anglers and fly rod innovation. It was still at its wintertime flows, both the current and the fish barely moving. You wont want to leave home without it. Every angler will be impressed with the Air 2 96 6-weight. Best Use: This is a small stream trout rod for light nymphing, dry flies, and small streamers in tight quarters. With amazing lifting strength in the butt section, anglers can pull hard on these powerful fish. Lines: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line, SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Fly Line. What a treat it was. Choose the right rod with help from Telluride Angler! 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. They're really really close in action. ALPHA+7wt.240-280 grain lines: You might call them bucketmouths, keggers, and donkeys. Winston wanted to create a feeling of connection between the angler and the rod, and slimming down the cork grip allows you to feel more feedback than you would otherwise. Winston has set the bar for the all-purpose category of fly rods and will become one of the most important rods in the trout quiver. This 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. 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. 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. Your mileage may vary. Please call, write or stop by one of the shops if you have any questions or if you would like to cast one for yourself. The Air 2 96 6-weight has an immaculate, progressive flex profile. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. 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. First offered in 1989 as a limited edition 60th Anniversary model, the Tom Morgan Favorite Rod has proved to be so popular it has remained a Winston customer favorite for the last 30 years. The 9 3-weight is one of the faster action rods in the series. Everyone wants to own a Winston. Default by R.L. The 9 4wt Air 2 features a fast action with a light tip capable of presenting delicate dries with long, light leaders. Especially for the anglers with a slower casting stroke, this rod is one of the best in the series. It is designed to fish, not just cast. After all, Winston built its name on building exceptional dry fly rods. We have patented the hollow-fluting bamboo rod building process, set numerous bamboo world distance fly casting records, and maintained an uninterrupted 92-year commitment to building the most beautiful, highest performing bamboo fly rods available anywhere. Beyond 25 feet, its a dream. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The Air 2 9 5-weight is a dark horse entering the arena with the Scott Centric, Sage X and Loomis Asquith. The slightest bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down. Soon, the once-tranquil surface of the river was rolling from the unending series of rises as far as the eye could see. The rod is capable of blazing line speed, but still allows its master to manipulate its capabilities on the water. His middle name is actually Henry, so you can tell that its a special place to our family. 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 AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy you'd expect from a Winston. The Air 2 is much more powerful, but still maintains some of that winston smoothness. Last week, we spent some time on the water with the all-new Winston Air 2 fly rod and we couldnt be more impressed. This rod will handle it. My son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad. Its casting stroke tracks straighter than any other Winston Ive fished, and straighter than some of the other flagship rods on the market right now. Jaguars lurk in the shadows behind you. 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. Its pale golden flanks glittered dimly in the gray, flat light of midmorning. Remarkably, the new High Strain Rate resin is perfect for the all-purpose rod category by amplifying the energy transfer allowing an angler to make tight loops and punch through the wind with incredible velocity as well as present smaller dries to rising fish at close range in calm water. There is no asterisk. I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 and could not agree more. And they had to be Winstons. The company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. That leads to quicker recovery speeds and less oscillation. Fish this rod with a single dry fly or light dry-dropper combo. Winston AIR 2. It was a rare moment of angling nirvana, where you could thoroughly lose yourself in the machinations of the natural world. Required fields are marked *. 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. This shorter 3wt is a great rod for small streams and backpacking in the backcountry. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. 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 was the sort of fishing that demanded good casting and attention to detail, but rewarded both handsomely. The rods shooting guides allow for slick, smooth mends. It is my favorite trout rod period. In the past, some Winston 6-weights have lacked the bottom end to overcome challenging conditions, like high wind or the necessity to hold up a long backcast while wading deep. 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. 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. It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. The 9 3-weight is one of the faster action rods in the series. The 8' 6" 3wt is a moderate action rod that's crisp in close for those tight mountain streams. My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. I know I extolled the AIR 2s line speed and power earlier, and I meant it. These rods will cast these big rigs further with minimal false casts and effort.Built like none other. 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. Its stable, accurate and easy to cast with heavy line heads, nymph/indicator rigs and streamers. Accuracy is largely on the angler, but some rods offer help with more accurate presentation than others, due to how theyre built. Its all about loop control and progressive acceleration. 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. That I got to spend the whole day throwing dry flies only made the experience that much more unforgettable. 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. While it's not the lightest 4wt on the market, it is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. There is no asterisk. Lines: SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Fly Line, RIO Technical Trout Elite Fly Line, RIO Creek Fly Line. For all-around summer steelhead, the classic 126 adds versatility to both Skagit and dry line applications. The extra 6" of length means this rod mends line easier on the water and helps anglers who are fishing slightly larger streams. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. Saltwater AIR 9wt:An unbelievably light 9 weight that produces fast line speed with incredible accuracy. The AIR 2 bucks that trend, and its just plain fun to cast. Winston has been making BAMBOO rods since 1929, when Robert Winther and Lew Stoner first began innovating using split bamboo cane. Howler Monkeys call from the canopy. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but not both. I use a Wulff Trout Taper Floating line with my 905-4, and it's perfect. Best Use: Use this 8wt for Steelhead, Salmon, and large trout when nymphing is the preferred approach. 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. A brand new Winston from top to bottom. With a downlocking reel seat, the rod balance moves into the grip, providing more connection to the blank and less perceived swing weight. This is a rod that's highly useful, practical and predictable. Every few fish, wed swap rods to compare. tellurideangler.com You must log in or register to reply here. The 5wt is probably our favorite rod in the series. The length slows down the cast and the rod bends deep into the butt, with kinetic feel from tip to cork. Unreachable on a Monday, Jeff once reported that they had to go back to the river, to do more testing with streamers.. 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. This is perfect weather. Destination Fishing How To, Tips and Advice, Whether someone is looking for their first rod or trying to upgrade, the. 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. In the 1990s, Winston revolutionized fly rod building with the invention of a boron/graphite composite, leaving traditional fiberglass and graphite blanks in the dust. By: Neil Sunday As though someone had thrown a switch, the bugs came off in droves, and the fish reacted as youd expect. 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. I think thats why I enjoyed that blue-wing hatch more than any other stellar dry fly hatch Ive fished. This is a wonderful fishing tool. Up to about 25, it feels as if the fly rod and line are searching for each other. Amazingly light and response, the 129 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous fish. I never felt like my tippet was close to breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt rods. Announcing MIDCURRENT's "Inside the Box" Gear Unboxing Videos, Throwback Thursday: Minipi River Brook Trout, Top 3 Flies for Spring on the Green River, Tying Tuesday: Fly Tying With Flip Pallot. The perfect rod for dry fly fishing and light nymphing. We've been doing it since 2003! Winston 3wt: An entire selection of fun rods meant for small stream fishing. 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. The gang at Telluride Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders@tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails? I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. Winston AIR 2. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It has a lively response to a gentle double haul but doesnt require a haul to tap power in the butt section. This is one of those rods that feels faster the more line you aerialize. Winston Rod Company | Jun 16, 2022. Winston Fly Rods. 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. 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. We love the new modified half Wells grip. For floaters, Id match it with an SA Trout taper or Infinity taper all day long. The Air 2 is now one of the few modern fast action trout rods without a Wells grip. They cast easily with the power of a relaxed stroke, but line speed erupts from the first swing with laser loops 20 to 90. 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. 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. New for 2021 the R.L. 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. 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. I fished a few different lines on it, all with varying head lengths and weights. The top half of the rod throws tight loops with high line speed at 20-40 feet, unusual for a power-oriented 6-weight. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. 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. They showcase adaptive and specified grain windows that are ideal for specific two-hand applications. The hatch finally petered out around 4 p.m., almost five hours after it began. It can be tied in sizes 1/0 - 10. 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. 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. We get questions about specific rod models all the time. Fly fishing equipment reviews, practical advice, factory tours, interviews and instruction. Feel confident that the fly will drop where you point the rod and not six feet up in the bush. Its light. These reviewsYou had me at was an invitation to be eaten alive. I dont know how many fish I caught that day I never started counting. Saltwater AIR 10wt:With great power comes great fish. 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? Here at the Madison River Fishing Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors. Sage makes a host of different rod types including Spey rods, saltwater fly rods, and freshwater rods. Each rod is fantastic at one thing, but only one of them is a truly versatile, do-everything trout rod. But against stiff headwinds, I couldnt get the line speed and power to work against the wind as well as Id like. 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. Maybe we shouldve waited a few weeks for the skwalas, I muttered. Saltwater AIR 12wt:The ultimate Giant Tarpon rod. The AIR 2 mended everything like an absolute dream. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). It will roll cast forever and deliver precise stack mends without exhausting the caster. These are special fly rods, not mere tools. Winston sent package after package to pro staff for testing and feedback. Winston Rods are hand-built in Twin Bridges, Montana, which is in the heart of some of the world's finest trout fishing regions. But our ALPHA+ 9/10 has been designed for power, big bug turnover, and foot-long flies, while having the sensitivity for mandatory figure 8s and at-the-boat eats. Back at camp, we shuffled around in a bit of stunned silence. 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. 2023 Madison River Fishing Company This is a rod that can be used for light nymphing, larger dry flies, and technical small dry fly work. The Winston Air 2 combines the feel and soul of Winston with higher line speed, a faster recovery rate, and a modern smooth action. This rod is responsive, easy to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. More accurate, lighter, and surprisingly, it threw line with more backbone than I expected. 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. 1325 Mayfly Drive Trust a secure online experience at MontroseAnglers.com, 970-249-0408 "How does the 9wt compare to the 10wt?"

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