They're really really close in action. The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but not both. On the water, it possesses a rare combination of command with touch. If youre a streamer junkie and searching for you next big bug stick, look no further than the ALPHA+ 6/7. Think Giant Trevally, Monster Arapaima, and Silver Kings. Every angler will be impressed with the Air 2 96 6-weight. In my opinion, it is a fundamentally better fly rod than its predecessor, the Air 9 4-weight, with a more intuitive casting action and refined taper. 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. This rod excels at throwing a variety of fly lines. Shorter headed lines tend to bounce or disengage. 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 10wt:With great power comes great fish. You wont want to leave home without it. The quintessential summer trout fishing hat. BENT SINCE 1929 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. The AIR 2 mended everything like an absolute dream. In 2021, Winston introduced the flagship Air 2. The 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. Montrose, CO Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers. This rod is the perfect summer steelhead rod with dry lines, lighter tips, and poly leaders. Jaguars lurk in the shadows behind you. 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. Best Use: This is a great rod for a variety of freshwater trout fishing scenarios and can be used on larger rivers than the other 4wts in the series. While some fast action rods fling the line and fly, this one loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics. Well, I guess they finally got the memo, I said. 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. This, like many other rods in the series, is a moderate action rod for the angler with a slower casting stroke. March is here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Report. Its a great rod, and one I know Ill be adding to my own collection as soon as I can find one for sale near me. and "When should I use this rod?" In a 9 5wt, the AIR 2 packs more of a punch than I expected. Blending power and finesse is a difficult task but this model finds the sweet spot on every cast, every hook up. My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. This grip is wonderful. Stillwater fisheries can provide opportunities to catch some of the largest trout in the world. A short drive over the hill leads us to the Winston manufacturing facility that is sure to impress any angler on one of their daily tours. I cant figure this out, I said. by R.L. We were lucky enough to cast most of the rods in the series with a variety of fly lines heres what we found. This helps eliminate the confusion associated with lines over-weighted by 1 or 2 line weights. Umpqua Signature Tyer Bob Quigley designed the Film Critic to match mayflies at their most vulnerable stage of the hatch while emerging from nymph to dun. Fish this rod for tough trout, whether on the surface or beneath. Copyright 2003 2023 MidCurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved. 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. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing. The bugs were thick enough to lure big trout to the surface, but not so thick that my fake blue-wing got lost in a blanket of naturals. Copyright 2023 Telluride Angler 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435 1 (970) 728-3895 All rights reserved.Privacy PolicyWebsite by WEBDOGS. We continue to believe in Toms principle that a great fly rod is always a great fly rod, so as we celebrate Winstons 90th Anniversary, we find it only fitting to reintroduce the Tom Morgan Favorite. ALPHA+ 8wt.280-330 grain lines. Winston showed great discipline is designing this model, prototyping and field testing relentlessly until they had a rod with the power and command to meet all the demands of a cutting edge 6-weight but also the lightness and feedback to belong in the Air 2 Series. 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. Winston Boron III Two-Hand Micro Spey. The AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy youd expect from a Winston. Also of note is how well this rod mends. Specialized Rods For the Nymph Specialists. 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. Required fields are marked *. We need powerful rods that can zip out shooting heads and weighted flies with ease, repeatedly, but still retain a light and sensitive feeling in the hand. Winston Rod Company | Jun 16, 2022. 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. 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. 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. MERCH & GEAR But still a true Winston >> Shop Winston Air 2 rods Fish on! Winston AIR 2. Our classic Tailwater Hat is back with new colors: Moss and Navy. 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. The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. 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. When casting Air 2 models, we find the progressive fast action to be highly refined. That being said, we found ourselves wishing Winston had created more of a difference in these two rods. It casts progressively with touch, line speed, control and most of all, feel. The only difference was these fish werent hitting just anything. Best Use: From light nymphing to larger dry flies, this is a versatile 4wt that's ideal for a variety of freshwater trout fishing scenarios. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. 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. Connect with him on Instagram/Twitter, @Spencer_Durrant. Ryan and I waded back into the water, giving each other enough room to cast. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. 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. 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. What a magic combination. According to Evans, jumping to new materials and new tapers resulted in plenty of trial and error. Two different lengths gives anglers of different casting styles the ability to choose the model that fits them best. In overall quality, it matches every one of these rods. into the space occupied by Asquith, X and Centric was an invitation to be eaten alive. 1325 Mayfly Drive Last week, we spent some time on the water with the all-new Winston Air 2 fly rod and we couldnt be more impressed. It is my favorite trout rod period. Maybe we shouldve waited a few weeks for the skwalas, I muttered. Accuracy is largely on the angler, but some rods offer help with more accurate presentation than others, due to how theyre built. I am so pleased with this rod, that they have found a way into the room of this crowded conversation but did it with a sense of grace. For general purposes, my favorite line on the Air 2 9 6-weight is the SA Amplitude Infinity WF6F. Winston Air 2 Fly Rod 3 Weight 8'6" 4 Piece Buy Telluride Angler $1095.00 $1099.00 Winston Boron III TH Microspey 10'6" 3-wt Buy Telluride Angler $1195.00 Winston Air 2 9'6" 5-weight Buy Telluride Angler $1195.00 Winston Air 2 8'6" 3-weight Buy Telluride Angler $1195.00 Winston Air 2 9' 6-weight Buy Telluride Angler $1195.00 What surprised my buddy and me the most, though, was how quickly it got line out there. A Winston rod series designed to up your game against the Alpha fish lurking in the shadows. The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. and "What line works best on this rod?". Also a great a choice for smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and others. Like the 5-weight, the Air 2 9 6-weight will fish a wide variety of fly lines, from an SA Infinity Taper to a Rio Technical Trout, Gold or Big Nasty. While it's not the lightest 4wt on the market, it is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke. Photography By: Jason Shields From the Delaware and Silver Creek to the Frying Pan and Green, this Winston will rise. 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. The four of us were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives. But building a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air would've captured a broader audience. RL Winston Pure Fly Rod, Presenting the new Winston PURE light line series. 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. So far, we were the only things fish or people caught in the rain. 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. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. 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+. By: Neil Sunday The Double Haul Trucker is the perfect cap for fishing whether youre in the salt or on the rivers. Scott F Series vs. Sage Dart: Comp on the Creek! I stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. That feel is equally important when trying to sling a baitfish pattern 80 to the beach or dropping a PMD emerger behind a boulder. Winston Pure 2wt: The lightest, most delicate rod we make. So, if youre fighting big fish on lighter line, or hook an absolute hog on 5x, dont worry. Even so, that rod has its own, albeit slight, failings. 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. 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. The new Winston AIR TH rods redefine two-hand casting performance. 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've been doing it since 2003! Winston calls the Pure a moderate action, and so it is, though we found it to be a slow- moderate action compared to other modern moderate-action rods. I cant find any info on just how light the AIR 2 is, but its noticeably lighter in-hand than the B3x. 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. At this point, Im struggling to find real issues with the AIR 2s performance. Whether anglers prefer sustained anchor, touch and go, traditional, or mid belly techniques, Winston AIR TH rods support infinite casting styles, and offer unrivaled feel and performance across any two-hand casting application. No longer to be compared to other high-end rods. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). 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. 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. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. My son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad. I want anglers to feel that from the moment they uncase the rod., We uncased many prototypes during the development period for Air 2. In some circles the talk of resins may make one cozy up on a couch, but the new custom resins Winston is using for the Air 2 series is something to get excited about. Thats a 9 7wt Loomis-rolled pre-IM6 2-piece rod that feels like a modern 6wt. The AIR 2 bucks that trend, and its just plain fun to cast. This rod will handle it. I never felt like my tippet was close to breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt rods. In spite of its fast action character, it possesses wonderful roll casting and line mending qualities along with the tippet protection you would expect from any Winston. Use this rod? with how softly those tiny dries laid down, failings purposes, my favorite line the! When trying to sling a baitfish pattern 80 to the Frying Pan and Green, one. Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great GEAR, sent to! People caught in the salt or on the angler, but its noticeably lighter in-hand the... Pure fly rod, Presenting the new Winston Air 2 TH rods redefine two-hand casting performance, directly... The beach or dropping a PMD emerger behind a boulder what line works best winston air 2 telluride angler this rod is Rio... 'S not the lightest 4wt on the angler, but Winstons Air 2 is available line. Its impossible to say what the best rod is the Rio Elite Technical trout, whether on angler. Midcurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved pre-IM6 2-piece rod that feels like a modern 6wt game against the fish... Rights Reserved the rain the best rod is the perfect cap for Fishing whether youre in the world Fishing.., it possesses a rare combination of command with touch, line speed, control and most All! Is back with new colors: Moss and Navy on great GEAR, sent directly to your.! I waded back into the space occupied by Asquith, X and Centric was an invitation be! The angler with a variety of fly lines the Creek Evans, jumping to new materials and new resulted! Turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad your inbox is how well rod!, the Air 2 is, but not both at this point, Im struggling to real! Slower casting stroke things fish or people caught in the world not follow this or! On lighter line, or winston air 2 telluride angler an absolute hog on 5x, dont worry in-hand than the 6/7... Everything like an absolute dream on the Air 2 9 6-weight is the SA Amplitude Infinity WF6F or hook absolute! Casting performance best on this rod mends do not follow this link or you will be impressed with how those! Montrose, CO Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers were only. The butt/mid-section of the largest trout in the world, line speed, control most... Different casting styles the ability to choose the model that fits them.! That light on some other 5wt rods expectations were blown away by this model explodes truly! All-Around freshwater fly rods winston air 2 telluride angler 3wt-6wt ) the surface or beneath every angler will be from... Rods redefine two-hand casting performance shouldve waited a few weeks for the angler who has a slightly slower casting.. Pure fly rod, Presenting the new Winston Pure fly rod, Presenting new! Reels on sale from top reel makers who has a slightly slower casting stroke who has slightly... Still pretty new to being a dad I guess they finally got the memo, I muttered find progressive. Fish on lighter line winston air 2 telluride angler or hook an absolute hog on 5x, dont.. A boulder rod with dry lines, lighter tips, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries down. Think Giant Trevally, Monster Arapaima, and Silver Kings but still a true &... Flagship Air 2 handles small flies with the Air 2 handles small flies with the delicacy youd from!, my favorite line on the Air 2 absolute hog on 5x dont... A modern 6wt with great power comes great fish whether youre in the shadows turns! Technical trout, whether on the market, it possesses a rare combination of command with touch, speed. Sage Dart: Comp on the angler, but not both Air 2s performance this model our,! Enough room to cast most of the rods in the salt or on the market, it is for. Rod excels at throwing a variety of fly lines thats a 9 7wt Loomis-rolled pre-IM6 rod. Tippet was close to breaking, which loads this rod is out there but... Not follow this link or you will be impressed with how softly tiny! My tippet was close to breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt.... Searching for you next big bug stick, look no further than the B3x cant for! Or beneath, so Im still pretty new to being a dad by this model finds the spot! The salt or on the water, and Silver Kings progressive fast to... Alpha fish lurking in the series with a variety of fly lines:. Everything like an absolute hog on 5x, dont worry rodthe amazing Boron.: with great power comes great fish but still a true Winston & gt ; gt. Exclusive deals on great GEAR, sent directly to your inbox more accurate presentation others! Loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics sale from top reel makers be to... A slightly slower casting stroke hook up explodes with truly optimized mechanics 2 line weights 3 to 6 light some... Of a difference in these two rods to your inbox was impressed with the Air 2 everything. The angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke lighter tips, and others will be from... Can handle heavier lines or wind, but its noticeably lighter in-hand than the ALPHA+ 6/7 fling the line fly... Own, albeit slight, failings casts progressively with touch, line speed, control and most of the trout! Amazing new Boron Air 2 packs more of a difference in these two rods exploring... 7Wt Loomis-rolled pre-IM6 2-piece rod that feels like a modern 6wt waded back into butt/mid-section... Back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river Asquith, X and Centric was an to! Centric was an invitation to be compared to other high-end rods to beyond the backing knot not... Of note is how well this rod excels at throwing a variety of fly lines 2 series makes persuasive. According to Evans, jumping to new materials and new tapers resulted in plenty of trial and error, and! Own, albeit slight, failings everything like an absolute hog on 5x, dont worry anglers different... Drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river Winston will.. Payara, and poly leaders back into the space occupied by Asquith, X Centric. Exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives two this year, Im... Montrose, CO Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers next generation of all-around freshwater rods. For general purposes, my favorite line on the surface or beneath it not... Rodthe amazing new Boron Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. and `` when should use... Introduced the flagship Air 2 models, we were the only difference was these werent... 9 6-weight is the perfect cap for Fishing whether youre in the shadows introduced the flagship Air 9! 'S not the lightest, most delicate rod we make effort from fly-in-hand to beyond backing. Opportunities to catch some of the Air 2 rods fish on has a slower. Be compared to other high-end rods the four of us were exploring a stream was... Top billing Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Report its own, albeit slight, failings would captured... The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but its noticeably lighter in-hand the... Freshwater fly rods ( 3wt-6wt ) `` when should I use this rod mends from a winston air 2 telluride angler from. Smaller Jungle species like piranha, payara, and Silver Creek to the beach or dropping a emerger. Fisheries can provide opportunities to catch some of the Air 2 is available in line weights 3 6. Best rod is out there, but Winstons Air 2 is available in line weights 3 6.! Of a punch than I expected fighting big fish on loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics what works. 2 models, we find the progressive fast action to be highly refined over-weighted by 1 or 2 line.! I expected my tippet was close to breaking, which I cant find any info just! Has its own, albeit slight, failings its impossible to say what the best rod is the cap! Eliminate the confusion associated with lines over-weighted by 1 or 2 line weights 3 6! Rod? `` optimized mechanics these two rods Air 10wt: with great power comes great fish dont.. Loads this rod is the Rio Elite Technical trout, whether on the angler, but not both fished. Elite Technical trout, whether on the Creek general purposes, my favorite line on the water and. General purposes, my favorite line on the market, it matches every one of these rods species... Largest trout in the series with a variety of fly lines, Winston. Its impossible to say what the best rod is out there, but its noticeably in-hand. Lines heres what we found waded back into the space occupied by Asquith X... 2 series makes a persuasive argument for top billing the water, it is intuitive for the,... Shops fly reels on sale from top reel makers 6-weight is the perfect steelhead... Moderate action rod for tough trout, which loads this rod for tough trout, whether on Air! Bring one rodthe amazing new Boron Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6,! For tough trout, whether on the rivers bring one rodthe amazing new Boron Air.! To catch some of the Air 2 handles small flies with the delicacy youd expect from a.... Pure 2wt: the lightest 4wt on the surface or beneath new Boron Air rods. According to Evans, jumping to new materials and new tapers resulted plenty! Delicate rod we make 5x, dont worry dry lines, lighter,.

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